17 People Who Grew Up As Gifted Students Reveal What Being The 'Smart Kid' Did To Their Lives

Being the smart kid sounds like an easy win, until the pressure starts following you long after school ends. Good grades, praise from teachers, and high expectations from parents can look like a dream from the outside, but plenty of gifted students say the label came with a cost.

In a Reddit thread, one former gifted student asked others what growing up as the “smart kid” was really like, and whether it affected adult life. The responses quickly turned into a mix of burnout, pressure, identity issues, and a few people who felt the label never helped them at all.

Here’s what former gifted kids had to say about life after being the one everyone expected to succeed.

Can't measure self-worth in numbers, honey

Reddit

Your emotions will definitely be tested a lot in math

Sloane__Peterson

Comes from years of not having to work so hard to figure out what in the world the teacher meant

Reddit

Growing up as a gifted child often comes with unique challenges that can impact emotional development.

This pressure can manifest in various ways, including perfectionism and fear of failure, which can persist into adulthood.

Gifted individuals may also struggle with social integration, feeling isolated from peers who don't share their intellectual interests.

Skipping a grade doesn't always mean you're welcomed with open arms

OminousOmnipotence

Honestly, sometimes, a lot of it is the adults' fault

Jumbie40

The kind of existential crisis that's just a little bit more sad

asexybookwyrm

Understanding the psychological implications of being a gifted child is critical for emotional health.

Not every smart person in the world has to become a lawyer, scientist, doctor, or whatnot. Let them do what they want.

mamamully

Just because you're gifted doesn't mean that your common sense is on the same level as your IQ

kirolm

No amount of smarts will prevent a mental illness

joinedforafewwords

The experiences shared by those who grew up as the 'smart kid' reveal a profound truth about the burdens of giftedness. Many of these individuals describe an internalized pressure to excel, a constant whisper that they must maintain their high performance. This relentless drive can lead to burnout, pushing them away from the very activities they once loved.

The stories highlight the critical need for recognition of these feelings. Such an approach could help mitigate the stress and emotional strain that often accompany their gifted status, fostering a healthier relationship with their own potential.

Also, this gift-giving sting echoes the “friends” dilemma when their lackluster gift hurt your feelings.

Nothing's more crippling than finding out you're not really that special and that a lot of people are better than you in many aspects of life after finding comfort with what you have

fightoffyourdemons-

When it comes to academic achievements, they're just not worth losing your sanity over

splika

Getting tuned out might just be one of the saddest things to happen to that gift

laterdude

The phenomenon of 'gifted kid burnout' is becoming more recognized in psychological literature.

Using that gift to blow off the bureaucracy might be one of the coolest things ever

Reddit

Life after high school will crush every idea you've formed of yourself in those years

Silvercaster

At least some people realize it a lot earlier than others

Reddit

The transition to adulthood presents significant challenges for those who were once celebrated as gifted students.

Lonely because the world just isn't made for you

DocGrey187000

Gifts shouldn't be wasted after all, but still

spittingpigeon

A lot of us wish we were ‘smart’ since it does seem like it might make a lot of things easier, but just as all these people have testified, living life to its full potential isn’t just about being brainy. After all, it’s not just our brains that will put food on the table or happiness in our lives, right?

It's crucial for gifted individuals to learn coping mechanisms for managing anxiety and perfectionism.

Examining the experiences of those identified as gifted students unveils a deeper narrative about the impact of their environment on mental health. The article highlights that while being the 'smart kid' often comes with accolades and admiration, it also entails unique emotional challenges. The stories shared reveal how crucial supportive environments are in shaping positive outcomes for these individuals. Without such support, the pressures of expectations and the weight of constantly performing can take a toll, underscoring the need for understanding and nurturing spaces for gifted individuals to thrive.

For another “smart kid” fallout, read why someone skipped a family gathering over an overachieving sibling.