Is honorable mention a bad thing?

Answer 1

No, honorable mention is not a bad thing. It is actually very good, and you should be happy if you get it. For example, let's say you entered a writing contest and ended up getting an honorable mention. This means that you have not placed either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, but it means that you were close to it. It means that you had real potential, and you very well could've won, but that other person had just a few more points than you that led them to get 3rd and you to get an honorable mention. I know that sounds terrible, but don't beat yourself up over what you could've done to get those extra points and win 3rd; congratulate yourself for doing the best you could and impressing the judges enough for them to recognize you. Because some people get nothing, whereas you get praise.