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 or a just a series of mistakes — mistakes we could all learn from in order to not waste our potential.
With that said, let’s dive into it !
1. Straight As Don’t Guarantee Professional Success.
Sure, getting straight A’s looks amazing on a college app (and let’s be honest, your parents love bragging about it on Facebook). But once you step out of the classroom and into the real world? Those perfect report cards won’t be enough to land your dream job or build the life you want. 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 real: Rory Gilmore was not built for feedback. And honestly? That’s kind of her Roman Empire—the thing she just couldn’t get over. Growing up in Stars Hollow, she was constantly praised like the second coming of Einstein with perfect hair. So when real life hit—like a Yale prof suggesting she drop a class or Mitchum Huntzberger saying she didn’t have the chops to be a journalist—it shattered her. Why? Because her whole identity was built on praise.
But here’s the truth: criticism is part of life. Not everyone is going to love you, agree with you, or think you’re amazing—and that’s okay. Don’t let it shake your confidence. Learn from it, leave it, or laugh it off. Either way, don’t let someone’s opinion rewrite your story. It's really never that deep.
3. Keep Your Momentum, No Matter What.
Life throws curveballs. It’s inevitable. But the secret? Don’t stop moving. Taking a break is totally fine (we love a good mental health day), but giving up? Not an option. Just look at Paris Geller. She was intense, chaotic, and kind of terrifying—but also unstoppable. She didn’t get into her dream school, lost valedictorian to Rory, and had to waitress after her family’s financial scandal. Did she spiral? Sure. But did she quit? Never. Paris powered through the mess, got into Harvard (eventually), and became a total boss in the medical world.
Moral of the story? Be your own 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: get into Harvard, become a journalist, take 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 getting swept up in the drama, Rory’s once-clear vision started to blur.
Yes, she graduated with a fancy degree and landed a dream reporting gig—but 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 have to stay connected to your purpose. It’s your North Star. When life gets messy (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.
