Getting labeled as a teacher's pet can feel like such a weird backhanded compliment—like you're being praised for something that somehow also makes you a target. I went through this in high school, and honestly? It stung at first. But over time, I realized it often says more about the people throwing the term around than it does about me. If you're engaged, ask questions, or genuinely enjoy a subject, that's not sucking up—it's just being proactive. I leaned into it by joking back ('Guilty as charged!') or redirecting ('Nah, I just really like chemistry—wanna study together?'). Turns out, some folks were just insecure about their own participation. The key is owning it without apology but also without rubbing it in others' faces.
Another angle? Sometimes the 'teacher's pet' thing comes from visible favoritism, even if you didn't ask for it. In those cases, I'd quietly check myself: Was I unconsciously monopolizing class time? Could I amplify others' ideas more? Small adjustments helped balance the dynamic. At the end of the day, though, caring about learning isn't something to be ashamed of. The people who matter won't hold it against you—and the ones who do might just need a little nudge to see it as inspiration rather than a threat.