Okay, so youâve been called smart all your life. As a kid, you were one of the smartest in your class. Maybe you could read at a much higher level than your peers, or you could fly through multiplication drills like they were nothing. Then, you get to high school and suddenly youâre surrounded by lots of people who were âgifted kidsâ. None of what made you âspecialâ seems all that important now. Your work is actually challenging, and itâs actually requiring effort.
If youâre experiencing this, just know that so many students have gone through the same thing. Maybe it happens in high school, maybe college. But a lot of us who were considered gifted as kids suddenly run into this and it challenges our entire identity. It can be paralyzing, but itâs 100% possible to overcome it and succeed! Iâve compiled a few tips for ex-gifted kids dealing with impostor syndrome and self-doubt. Iâm not a therapist, psychologist, or any sort of education expert. Iâm just speaking to my own experiences, and I welcome any input from others who have insight into this as well!
1. Understand that working hard does not mean you arenât intelligent. If something doesnât come naturally to you, thatâs not a reason to give up. Believing that people can do things âjust because they were born with a talent for itâ is only going to hurt you. Itâs not true! People may have natural aptitudes for things, but hard work is involved even for the smartest or most talented people. You are capable of learning anything, and you donât have to be âgood at itâ right away to do so.
2. Comparison will kill you. You are your only competition. Focusing on how you rank with other students, and comparing yourself to your classmates is going to exhaust you. By focusing on others, you canât put your full energy into focusing on your work and yourself. You belong. Even if you struggle with your work, you belong. Focus on your own self-improvement and doing your best.
3. Donât focus on the goal, focus on your current actions. If youâre always thinking about the future, and about whether youâll get into that school or that program or win that award or get that scholarship, youâre not using that time to get work done. Donât worry about college applications, just do your homework. Focus on what you are doing now to reach your goals so you can apply to schools with confidence later.
4. Your grades may not reflect intelligence, but they do reflect work ethic. Donât let others convince you that grades mean nothing. They sure as hell mean a lot to colleges, and thinking that you should âreject the current education systemâ is not going to harm anyone but yourself. If you donât feel like youâre learning anything in your high school classes, thatâs all the more reason to want to get into a university that will challenge you. If you put effort into your work, it will not let you down. Your hard work will be reflected on your transcript. Donât lose focus.
5. Talk to someone. Let people know if youâre struggling. It can be hard to feel like you arenât allowed to identify as âsmartâ or to feel pressure to constantly compete and improve. I went to a highly competitive high school that pushed kids to cope in dangerous ways. This is not healthy and not okay. If youâre feeling overwhelmed you need to find healthy coping mechanisms. Speak with someone you trust and donât let yourself spiral. Donât try to self medicate. Your well being is always more important than your grades. Period.
6. Enjoy yourself. School may seem like hell, and you may feel like it will never end and youâll always be stressed and worried. But high school is only four years, and you can do things during that time that you probably wonât ever again. Take advantage of things that seem fun, even if people think theyâre nerdy or weird. Try and remind yourself that youâre lucky to have your education and you have the power to do great things with it. Donât lose sight of your own ability and your bright future!
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