Unless one is doing Medicine, one shouldn't fall into the Ps gets degrees mindset
I assume 'failed' here means Asian fail? It can really be competitive at selective schools and as you know, if there are top students then there has to be students who are below these top students. It's just the way it works.
Also, if you really like him - I think you wouldn't break it off just because he couldn't get into his desired course at his desired university (I mean I didn't after the first go, then I did after a second shot).
The most admirable people aren't the ones who never fail to achieve their aims but those who keep going even if they've failed.
That being said, if he can't even spare 10 minutes a day, then he really is at fault here.
It's all about moderation.
I quit gaming but I was still watching anime/drama during Year 12.
I remember watching a whole drama series about 2 weeks before trials (and I was doing 12 units in Year 12). I remember watching the latest One Piece episode on the Sunday before my English trials.
But that being said, I would be lying if I said I didn't study hard.
Whilst I think it's fine to have expectations of your partner, I think it's best not to consider your parents' perspective too much (if at all) or else you'll start to become his mum.
At this age especially.
Nothing wrong with this but I think in the end, I think the most important element to success is ambition.
Ambition by itself (provided you have the work ethic for it) can get you so much further than a strong education (without ambition) alone.