Content creator and entrepreneur Thee Pluto has weighed in on the long-running debate about academic performance and success, saying that students who score lower grades in school often end up becoming more successful in the real world.

His remarks come amid ongoing conversations about the link between education, talent and economic outcomes.

According to Thee Pluto, C and D students tend to take more risks compared to their A-grade counterparts.

He said many of them step into business early, attempt multiple ventures and learn to recover after failure.

This approach, he noted, enables them to build resilience and adaptability, qualities he described as crucial for survival in competitive markets.

 “Kenya imetufundisha kitu moja, life haitambui report card. In school, they rank you by grades… but in real life, you are ranked by your success, networks, and timing.”

“We all know that in most cases, the A student becomes a very good employee, disciplined, organized and follows instructions while the C or D student becomes the employer coz he is the one who in most cases takes risks, breaks comfort zones, tries businesses even when they flop. He falls and gets back on track,” he wrote.

He added that students who struggled academically often start small enterprises soon after high school, ranging from informal shops to online businesses.

Many, he said, venture into areas such as importation of cars, fashion products or digital services, which expose them to practical experiences that shape their growth.

Thee Pluto claimed that many top-performing students delay stepping into independent ventures because they tend to wait for formal validation.

He said A students are frequently conditioned to follow structured paths, expecting approval from institutions, employers or society before making major decisions.

He observed that some high-achievers remain focused on traditional career routes, prioritising job security and stability, which may limit their willingness to experiment with untested ideas.

He noted that while many succeed academically, some take longer to build financial independence as they navigate established professional systems.

The content creator emphasised that real-world success is influenced by more than academic results.

He said practical skills, risk tolerance, creativity and resilience often play a larger role in determining long-term outcomes.

Thee Pluto pointed out that many young entrepreneurs in various sectors started with little formal training but gained ground through trial and error.

He said their ability to act quickly, learn on the job and remain flexible gives them an advantage in fields that require innovation and constant adjustment.

He concluded by calling for a balanced understanding of success, saying society should recognise different strengths among young people.

He urged students to identify their abilities early, whether academic or practical, and use them to build sustainable paths without relying solely on grades for validation.