History Main / NerdsLoveToughSchoolwork

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Hermione shows this to varying degrees. [[SkewedPriorities She was more afraid of being expelled over death]]. She says "oh no" when she hears that all tests have been canceled as a school treat.

** In one strip, Jason does his math final exam in ''literally'' the last minute. He does this because "he enjoys the challenge".

* Averted in episode of SavedByTheBell when the jocks decided to skip class and the nerds wonder why they should have to take the test if the jocks don't have to. When told "Because you care about your education." one of the nerds responds "Nerd Myth! Nerd Myth! Deep down Nerds like to party!" Then they all leave the classrooom followed by pretty girls who say "Nerds are better than nothing."

* In ''SoulEater'', [[BadassBookworm Maka]] is asked by [[CatGirl Blair]] if tests are fun in the Super Exam episode. Maka replies that yes, of course they are! You learn things while you're studying and you get to see your class ranking! Blair is not convinced because she saw Soul studying miserably across the hall.

* Cuthbert Cringeworthy of the Bash Street Kids in ''TheBeano'', and occasionally Walter and the Softies in the Dennis the Menace strips.

Is this TruthInTelevision? Somewhat. Again, people will be glad to learn about things that interest them (especially if they are going for higher college degrees) but there's a difference between being interested in learning calculus, and acting like a pop quiz on calculus is like meeting a rock star. Then too, a nerd might like to learn but absolutely loathe having to learn in a [[NotGoodWithPeople school setting]]. It can also be true with children who are especially gifted. Many schools are incredibly reluctant to let gifted students [[GradeSkipper skip a grade]], even when they really should. For those kids, this can be frustrating in a "has the keys to a Ferrari, but forced to ride a tricycle" way. When they get to something more their speed, it can be downright refreshing. There's also the ones who're enjoying it because they get to show off and make themselves look better than their less nerdy peers.

* Alex of ''ModernFamily'' would rather do homework than work on her Halloween costume or even attend her own Sweet Sixteen. {{Discussed}} in later series, as her mother in particular comes to realise that she's actually putting herself through an incredible amount of strain, which results in her having to see a therapist.

* Averted with ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'', who is extremely intelligent and nerdy (to AmbiguousDisorder levels), but loathes school due to a combination of SurroundedByIdiots and just being kind of lazy.

->'''Willow:''' Goody! [[IncrediblyLameFun Study party]]!\\

* WesternAnimation/{{SpongeBob SquarePants}} was ecstatic at an 800-word essay about [[OverlyNarrowSuperlative what not to do at a stoplight]]. {{Subverted}} in that he became a RidiculousProcrastinator when he actually sat down in front of it.

** Like most nerds in fiction, Jason has [[NoSocialSkills little to no understanding of people]], and assumes that the other students in his class share his love of tough schoolwork - and is always genuinely surprised to discover the opposite is true. In one strip, he sits at his desk on the first day of school with an ear-to-ear grin, freshly-sharpened pencil, and calculator as Ms. O'Malley discovers that he has written "Give really hard math test" on her agenda for the day; after being rescued from the resulting angry mob, he exclaims, "It's been three months! You'd think everyone would want one!"

* Ami from ''Manga/SailorMoon'', although justified by the fact that she is someday planning to become a doctor.

* A throwaway line in ''AgentsOfSHIELD'' has Fitz forced to admit that Simmons is probably cleverer than him, "but only because she loves homework more than life itself".

** A throwaway line in ''AgentsOfSHIELD'' has Fitz forced to admit that Simmons is probably cleverer than him, "but only because she loves homework more than life itself".

* Averted in episode of SavedByTheBell when the jocks decided to skip class and the nerds wonder why they should have to take the test if the jocks don't have to. When told "Because you care about your education." one of the nerds responds "Nerd Myth! Nerd Myth! Deep down Nerds like to party!" Then they all leave the classrooom followed by pretty girls who say "Nerds are better than nothing."

** She also plonks a massive alchemy book on the table ([[ChekhovsClassroom exactly when they need to know who Nicholas Flamel is]]) and says "I picked this up weeks ago for a bit of light reading!" Cue Ron asking "''This'' is light?"

Is this TruthInTelevision? Somewhat. Again, people will be glad to learn about things that interest them (especially if they are going for higher college degrees) but there's a difference between being interested in learning calculus, and acting like a pop quiz on calculus is like meeting a rock star. Then too, a nerd might like to learn but absolutely loathe having to learn in a [[NotGoodWithPeople school setting]]. It can also be true with children who are especially gifted. Many schools are incredibly reluctant to let gifted students [[GradeSkipper skip a grade]], even when they really should. For those kids, this can be frustrating in a "has the keys to a Ferrari, but forced to ride a tricycle" way. When they get to something more their speed, it can be downright refreshing.

Compare ProudToBeAGeek. Contrast BrilliantButLazy.

Fiction thinks that tough schoolwork is the greatest thing ever to a nerd. They live for pop quizzes, midterms, and final exams. Not that they are enthusiastic about subjects they are interested in, but tough work is awesome on its own. Basically, they are portrayed as the bizarro student. Having an extra day of school is like having a day off from school to most students.

Is this TruthInTelevision? Somewhat. Again, people will be glad to learn about things that interest them (especially if they are going for higher college degrees) but there's a difference between being interested in learning calculus, and acting like a pop quiz on calculus is like meeting a rock star. Then too, a nerd might like to learn but absolutely loathe having to learn in a [[NotGoodWithPeople school setting]]. It can also be true with children who are especially gifted. Many schools are incredibly reluctant to let gifted students skip a grade, even when they really should. For those kids, this can be frustrating in a "has the keys to a Ferrari, but forced to ride a tricycle" way. When they get to something more their speed, it can be downright refreshing.

Commonly suffers from OpinionMyopia, and will be baffled at why their fellow classmates ''aren't'' acting like they're meeting a rock star. "Why do you guys look so down? We're having a pop quiz on calculus! Isn't that great?!"

Heck, some nerds [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards might find these nerds too nerdy]].

Compare ProudToBeAGeek.

Contrast BrilliantButLazy.

--> '''Principal Skinner:''' (''over intercom'') Attention. All honor roll students will be rewarded by a trip to an archaeological dig. Also, all detention students will be punished with a trip to an archaeological dig.

* Music/WeirdAlYankovic's "White and Nerdy" has the the line "Do vector calculus just for fun", referring to himself.