Circumstances like higher income, good grades, and prestigious accolades do not necessarily guarantee greater happiness. In fact, an increase in high school GPA is associated with a decrease in overall well-being, self-esteem, and optimism. Data suggests that favorable circumstances don't consistently lead to increased well-being. Instead, social connections, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, altruism, and having a sense of purpose are revealed to be strong determinants of happiness, yet these elements are often undervalued in today's educational norms.