Coming to a private college-preparatory boarding school, I understood that I would be surrounded by lots of talented students. I didn’t expect, however, for their academic abilities to make me insecure about my own.
I came from a public middle school. There, I was accustomed to being at the top of my class.
So, when I arrived at school and was placed into non-honors courses, it was a major blow. My hope in writing this article is to show new students that it is okay to feel out of place, especially at a high-achieving boarding school like ours. But my recommendation? Turn that intimidation into motivation.
It is often said, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.” Though we often prefer to stay in our comfort zones, a lack of adversity may hinder our ability to progress.
Surrounding yourself with people with diverse skills and knowledge, on the other hand, will inspire growth. How can you overcome challenges if there is no one to challenge you?
Living with accomplished peers can be humbling, but it inspires you to ask questions, actively listen, and recognize areas where you can improve. Seeing challenges as learning opportunities rather than threats will not only help you grow but give you a new appreciation for difficulty.
Competition and diverse thinking are a part not just of high-achieving boarding schools but of the broader world. Here, you are developing skills that will serve you through your professional and personal life.
At college and in the workplace, there will always be extraordinarily intelligent people who make you question your abilities. However, seeing how you can learn from them, rather than dwelling on comparison, will ultimately assist you. Try to think, “What can I learn from them to improve myself?”
For a while, I believed that because I wasn’t the best in my classes, I did not belong here.
But I’ve come to realize is that being surrounded by brilliance does not diminish your achievements.
It can be easy to forget that, especially when you’re used to being at the top and suddenly find yourself in a place where everyone is extraordinary.
Feeling out of place is natural here, but it is a shared experience that few of us talk about openly. And keep in mind: the admissions team did not pick you randomly. Each year, they work tirelessly to fill the student body with students who will discover their own potential.
It might sound cliché, but you really are here for a reason. We just need to be ready to embrace the challenge, learn from it, and let it shape us into the best versions of ourselves we can be.
