Panhellenic Exams: Is it time to redefine what success means?

Every year, when the results of the Panhellenic Exams are announced, the conversation revolves around the same questions: “Did they get in?” “What grade did they get?” “Which university did they enter?” “Medicine or Law?” As if a young person’s value could be summed up by a university department, a grade, or a list of successful candidates.

And yet, reality is far more complex.

The Panhellenic Exams are one pathway towards higher education. They are not the only ones.

When parents’ anxiety becomes pressure…

No parent puts pressure on their child because they want to make things harder for them. Most do so unintentionally, because they believe they are protecting them. We have grown up in a society that has taught us that a “good life” and “success” are closely linked to obtaining a university degree, and even more so to pursuing certain professions associated with social prestige, such as Medicine, Law or Engineering.

As a result, we often pass on our own beliefs and expectations to our children without even realizing it. The message they receive is often clear:

“These are the right choices.”, “If you don’t become a doctor, you will not find a job.”, “First finish your degree, and then do what you love.”

What if the dream is not theirs?

Every child has different strengths, interests, and ways of expressing their potential. However, when we view certain professions as more “valuable” than others, we risk depriving children of the opportunity to discover who they truly are, what they want to create in their lives, and ultimately the possibility of building a fulfilling future based on their own choices.

A child may have a passion for the arts, technology, sports, gastronomy, tourism, entrepreneurship, or a technical profession. They may thrive in a field we had never even considered. When all conversations lead towards only one direction, other options begin to look like “failure”, when in reality they are simply different paths.

The paradox is that society continues to promote certain professions as the safest choices, while the labor market itself is changing rapidly, driven by technological developments.

In several sectors traditionally considered prestigious, there is intense competition and, in some cases, oversaturation. At the same time, there are professions and technical specializations with high demand, significant opportunities for growth, and great potential that continue to be perceived as “second choices”.

Perhaps, then, it is worth asking ourselves: why do we consider the work of a lawyer or a doctor more valuable than the work of an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, or a technician?

Why are some professions associated with greater social prestige, while others, professions that are equally essential to the everyday functioning of society and often offer excellent career prospects, continue to be viewed as “second-class” choices?

Reality reminds us that success does not depend solely on the degree someone obtains, but also on whether their knowledge, skills, and choices respond to the needs and opportunities of the times.

The role of parents is not to choose their child’s future

Positive Parenting does not mean leaving children without guidance. It means helping them discover who they are, what their strengths are, what truly suits them, and what they want to pursue to build a happy and meaningful life.

It means asking questions rather than providing ready-made answers.

Encouraging exploration instead of comparison.

Talking about skills, interests, and values, not only about exam scores, university departments, degrees, and social status.

Because a young person who chooses a path that reflects who they are is far more likely to grow, develop their potential, and feel fulfilled than someone who follows a path simply because it is considered socially acceptable.

Let’s raise children who make choices, not children who are afraid to choose

The greatest success is for every child to discover their potential, develop their skills, and build their own path with confidence.

Positive Parenting reminds us that children thrive when they feel loved, accepted, and supported, regardless of the outcome.

Because, ultimately, the greatest achievement is not entering a university department. It is the development of a young person who believes in themselves, dares to explore their abilities, and moves through life with self-respect, resilience, and a sense of connection with their community.

*This article is based on the principles of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, that was implemented in Greece within the framework of the National Action “Promoting of Family and Child Health”, carried out by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with UNICEF Greece and a number of partners, including SolidarityNow. The program is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU.