Yeah, he definitely shouldn't give this up. After all, he's planning to spend his life with her and if he can't get used to spending time with her while excelling at his studies and job, things won't go well. It's an important learning time for him, and failing to get the top spot once is a humbling experience that reminds him that he can't always be the best. Besides, one of the criticism was that he had no fun at all during his school life, but that's what she's brought into his life so really he's only gained from this.