Honestly it depends on what you want to do If you are looking to go into the non-CS corporate world, grades matter a lot. This is primarily how companies will

Honestly it depends on what you want to do If you are looking to go into the non-CS corporate world, grades matter a lot. This is primarily how companies will screen applicants. However, based on my personal experience, my grades weren't stellar either, but I managed to compensate them with other pretty cool things like starting my own clubs, working a ton of different jobs, being active in the community, etc. In my personal opinion, grades are a poor indicator of personal achievement. Just be sure to do something substantial on the side to make up for your grades. Oh and regarding the "social pressures" of doing well, fuck everyone else. It's your life, not theirs. Edit: Someone else mentioned grades are a measure of work ethic, which I will agree upon. However, if you can show your employers where you spent a majority of your time (and why the alternative is worth investing in over school work) then it should be OK.