It's good to be a high achiever.
Paul has enrolled in college and is looking over the classes he will be taking.
Paul wants to pass his classes.
Paul puts a great deal of effort and determination onto dong well in school, and he gets top grades in all his classes.
Paul puts only as much effort into his classes as is needed to pass them which he only barely does.
Paul lands his dream job after college with the help of his excellent grades.
Once Paul graduates he isn't able to get the job he really wants because his grades just aren't good enough.