What Smart Girls Can Learn From Rory’s Downfall.

Rory Gilmore is one of television’s most enduring smart girls. With her undying dedication to academic excellence, Rory is the teenage coffee addict and Ivy League educated bookworm who inspired millions of girls to pursue academic excellence. No wonder why two decades after the show’s premiere, Rory Gilmore’s image continues to flood our Pinterest #studyaesthetic boards and our Pomodoro study videos.

But in the revival season, A Year in the Life, fans witnessed a version of Rory that felt different — as if her ambitious aspirations had not materialized into what we expected. By her early thirties, she was unemployed, financial dependent, and, yet again, entangled in an affair. Many fans viewed this downfall as one of the worst in television history. Some have even blamed the writers for ruining Rory’s storyline. But what if Rory’s downfall wasn’t just a screenwriting fab but a series of common mistakes we could all learn from ?

With that said, let’s dive into it !

1. Straight As Don’t Guarantee Professional Success.

Getting straight A’s looks amazing on college applications (and let’s be honest, parents love bragging about them on Facebook). But once you step out of the classroom, those perfect report cards are not enough to land your dream job or build the career you desire. Rory tended to hyperfocus on her academic prowess. By doing that, she failed to cultivate other important traits such as the ability to take criticism, for instance.

Success isn’t just about being book-smart. It’s about being resilient, strategic, and seriously driven. So yes, celebrate your academic wins, but don’t forget: hustle, confidence, and a little bit of grit go a long way too.

2. Criticism is Not the End of the World.

Let’s be honest: Rory Gilmore was never built for feedback. And honestly? That’s kind of what prompted her downfall. Growing up in Stars Hollow, she was constantly praised. So when real life hit— like when a Yale prof suggested she drop a class or when Mitchum Huntzberger said she didn’t have the chops to be a journalist—it broke her. Why? Because her whole identity was built on praise.

But here’s the thing : criticism is part of life. Not everyone is going to love you, agree with you, or find you impressive —and that’s okay. Don’t let it influence your self-perception. Learn from it, leave it, or laugh it off. Either way, never let someone’s opinion rewrite your story. It's really never that deep.

3. Keep Your Momentum, No Matter What.

Life will throw obstacles your way. It’s inevitable. But the secret to overcoming them? Don’t stop moving. Taking a time to step back and rest is one thing. Giving up is another. Just look at Paris Geller. She was intense, chaotic, and frankly kind of terrifying. But she was also unstoppable. She got rejected by her dream school, lost valedictorian to Rory, and had to waitress after her family’s financial scandal. And she sure did spiral. But did she quit? Never. Paris powered through the mess, got into Harvard, and became a total boss in the medical world.

Moral of the story? Be more like Paris. Stumble, cry, scream into a pillow if you need to. But then keep going. Your goals are still waiting for you.

4. Don’t Steal a Yacht !

No need to elaborate on this one, I hope….

5. Never Lose Sight of Your Why.

Back in high school, Rory Gilmore was laser-focused. She aimed at getting into Harvard, becoming a journalist, taking over the world. Even though she ended up choosing Yale, her ambition stayed strong—at least at first. But somewhere between dating Dean and Logan, diving headfirst into the chaos of the Life and Death Brigade, and dropping out of Yale, Rory’s once-clear vision started to blur.

Yes, she ended up graduating with a fancy degree. She even landed a dream reporting gig. Yet, flash forward to the revival, and we see a Rory who’s lost, stagnant, and unsure of what’s next.

Here’s the lesson: No matter how talented or driven you are, you must stay connected to your purpose. It’s your North Star. When life gets difficult (because it will), your “why” keeps you grounded, focused, and moving forward. A successful woman doesn’t let distractions derail her—she knows exactly what she’s working toward, and she doesn’t let go of that vision.