Minimality principle? In Dutch a strongly related notion is called 'zesjes cultuur' or 'sixes culture', referring to how most Dutch students aim to pass a course with minimal effort and grade.
I personally understand people only aiming for high grades as well. And once you're around many people who think alike you lose touch of reality. Your standards change and you can't believe how others are unable to follow your high standards. Instead of feeling proud of your own achievements, you start to denigrate the non-over-achievers.
I like that mentality.
Just reading that makes me cringe.....really glad I never went down this hell hole. I also accepted that I don't have the mental capacity to get really high grades everywhere.
Oreki really is my ehhhh spirit animal.