--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By the time they finish high school—after…" description: "\"“By the time they finish high school—after years of learning how to please their teachers and coaches, not to mention schmoozing with their parents’ fr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/william-deresiewicz-15471_education_by-the-time-they-finish-high-school-afte_737665.jpg" --- # By the time they finish high school—after years of… ![“By the time they finish high school—after years of learning how to please their teachers and coaches, not to mention schmoozing with their parents’ friends—elite students have become accomplished adult-wranglers.” quote by William Deresiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/william-deresiewicz-15471_education_by-the-time-they-finish-high-school-afte_737665.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/william-deresiewicz-15471_education_by-the-time-they-finish-high-school-afte_737665.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/william-deresiewicz-15471_education_by-the-time-they-finish-high-school-afte_737665.jpg) > ““By the time they finish high school—after years of learning how to please their teachers and coaches, not to mention schmoozing with their parents’ friends—elite students have become accomplished adult-wranglers.”” [William Deresiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-deresiewicz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Elite schools train students to excel at pleasing authority and networking, turning them into skilled manipulators rather than independent thinkers. **In simple terms:** High‑achieving schools produce social manipulators. Key Takeaway Encourage critical thinking over mere performance. Themes education conformity social manipulation Mood critical thought‑provoking Type essay commentary When to use this quote - school - career planning - leadership development - personal growth Key Concepts institutional pressure identity formation Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing on approval affect personal authenticity? - What alternatives foster genuine intellectual curiosity? A Different Perspective Emphasis on external approval can stifle authentic self‑development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I had an art teacher who's the reason I got there in high school who encouraged me to go to Alabama. That's where she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sela-ward/i-had-an-art-teacher-who-s-the-reason-i-got-there-in-high-school-who/) [Sela Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sela-ward/) > [More than half of my former students teach - elementary and high school, community college and university. 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Nobody at Padua High School fits that description.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/teachers-are-wonderful-beings-who-inspire-the-spirit-and-open-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Teachers are heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/teachers-are-heroes/) [Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/) > [One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the Messiah?" "No," answered Buddha. "Then are you a healer?" "No," Buddha replied. "Then are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/one-of-his-students-asked-buddha-are-you-the-messiah-no-answered/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. 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