This discussion made me think of this article from the current issue of the Stanford alumni magazine that suggests that “perseverance” is really about engagement, because college science and engineering classes are taught so poorly:
https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=91851
What does accomplishing the incredibly hard task of getting a good grade in a traditional lecture course actually prove, given that apparently most people in these classes don’t learn the material? It probably indicates that later in life you’re more likely to tolerate spending hours on a treadmill. Either literally or metaphorically or both.
This is what I got out of the previously referenced essay from the Harvey Mudd graduate: “I’ve completely forgotten everything I learned, but after doing this really hard thing, I feel really good about myself. Keep at it and you’ll feel the same way!”