15 min
0
05.05.2025
Key Takeaways
- Gifted students often underperform because the traditional education system isn’t built for their unique needs.
- Mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and perfectionism can get in the way of their brilliance—just like many gifted individuals, who often struggle with high expectations.
- Mismatch between teaching styles and learning preferences often holds them back.
- Studybay’s recent survey revealed that 72% of students feel gifted learners lack intellectual challenges, and 65% think teachers aren’t prepared to support them.
When we think of a genius, we often imagine someone breezing through school, acing every test, and racking up awards like it’s nothing. But reality often flips this script. Many highly intelligent students, the so-called "gifted", end up underperforming in traditional academic settings. In fact, some even drop out entirely, while their average peers thrive.
This isn't just an anecdote, it’s a well-documented, surprising phenomenon backed by research, data, and plenty of real-life stories. So why does this happen? How can someone with such remarkable potential struggle in the very systems designed to measure intellect and achievement? Let’s dig into the topic.
Redefining Success: Intelligence ≠ Academic Achievement
First off, we have to challenge the assumption that intelligence and academic success always go hand in hand. They don’t.
Academic systems reward conformity, consistency, and obedience. These are traits that don’t necessarily align with creative or high-level abstract thinkers. A genius might see 10 ways to solve a problem, but the test only rewards one. This might put the student in a bind, especially since the way they see the solution might be different from the norm.
School rewards those who can follow directions. But genius often means questioning the directions entirely.
A study published in Learning and Individual Differences found that intelligence was a poor predictor of school performance among gifted students, especially those with non-traditional learning styles. What schools define as "achievement" is often narrow and leaves out many forms of intellectual brilliance. This is why most geniuses are often misunderstood.
The Boredom Trap: When the System Moves Too Slowly
Imagine being stuck in a slow-moving lecture when your brain is five steps ahead. That's daily life for many gifted students. Gifted kids are often under-challenged in the classroom. Lessons designed for the average learner don’t push them intellectually, and that can lead to disengagement, boredom, and even behavioral issues.
If you're in a classroom with boring tasks to do all the time, you will easily find yourself distracted. This can often be misunderstood by teachers, especially when the student is still young.
A report by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development revealed that a significant number of gifted students underperform because they feel unmotivated in environments that don’t challenge or stimulate them.
Some common signs of boredom-induced underperformance:
- Daydreaming or zoning out during lessons
- Skipping assignments due to a lack of interest
- Scoring low on tests despite deep subject knowledge
- Resistance to repetitive or overly structured tasks
Mental Health Struggles and Perfectionism
High intelligence often comes paired with high sensitivity. This is why some geniuses usually face some mental health struggles. Most times, these mental health issues aren't too damaging to the student.
Many gifted students experience:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Perfectionism
- Imposter syndrome
According to the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), these emotional intensities can lead to academic paralysis. This is a situation where a student avoids starting or submitting work for fear it won’t meet their own impossibly high standards. This is especially true if they have a perfectionist nature. They always want everything to be at its best.
A study published on ResearchGate Psychological Bulletin found that perfectionism in students is rising and strongly associated with academic burnout and low performance. The more you want to turn in a perfect task, the easier it is to wear yourself out.
Mismatch Between Teaching Styles and Learning Styles
Schools tend to favor auditory and rote-based learning: lectures, repetition, memorization. But many gifted students are visual, kinesthetic, or experiential learners who absorb information by seeing patterns, exploring concepts, and connecting ideas across disciplines.
This can make it difficult for the gifted students to flow well with the rest of the class. The way they absorb knowledge is simply different. Research from the University of Iowa found that many gifted learners thrive in environments that emphasize exploration and autonomy, not just rigid instruction or standardized testing. This is because these environments do not restrict their nature in any way.
When learning styles clash with teaching methods, even the smartest students can fall behind. That is why it is important to choose teaching methods that can help all students, including the "geniuses".
Twice-Exceptionality: Gifted but with Learning Disabilities
Here’s a paradox you don’t hear about often: some gifted students also have learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. This is known as being "twice-exceptional" (2e). The reason why many people don't hear about this paradox often is that parents might not discover these learning disabilities on time.
These students may:
- Struggle with executive functioning
- Have trouble with focus or written expression
- Excel in one subject while failing another
Because their giftedness can mask their disabilities (and vice versa), many 2e students are misdiagnosed or misunderstood. The 2e Center for Research and Professional Development notes that up to 14% of gifted students may also have a learning disability, but they usually go undetected due to a lack of awareness.
Example:
Thomas Edison was kicked out of school for being "slow." He was later believed to be dyslexic and possibly ADHD. Yet he changed the world with his inventions.
Social Isolation and Peer Disconnect
Gifted students often feel out of place among their peers. This can lead to a social disconnection from the rest of their mates. Social Isolation is never a nice feeling. No one likes feeling left out all the time.
This is why, most times, gifted students may:
- Have different interests
- Struggle with small talk
- Be more emotionally mature (or immature) in specific areas
- Feel isolated or "weird" around other kids
This social mismatch can affect their confidence and willingness to participate in school activities. Feeling like an outsider isn’t just emotionally draining; it can lead to withdrawal from academic and social engagement. Imagine not being comfortable playing with your peers at the playground. It can get pretty lonely.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Advanced Academics found that gifted teens with low peer connection reported lower GPAs and higher stress levels than their more socially integrated peers.
Lack of Support and Misunderstood Needs
Most schools simply aren’t equipped to support gifted learners. Teachers are often overburdened, undertrained in gifted education, and focused on helping struggling students rather than advancing high performers. This is why it is very easy for a gifted child to go unnoticed in a classroom, especially if they are underperforming.
According to a national report from the Fordham Institute, less than 10% of teacher preparation programs include coursework on gifted students.
As a result, many gifted students:
- Get labeled as troublemakers
- Receive little encouragement or enrichment
- They are misunderstood by teachers and peers
- Get penalized for "not trying hard enough"
Giftedness is not a prize to be won, it’s a need to be met.
Gifted Kids Grow Up Into Disillusioned Adults
The problems gifted kids face don't always end at graduation. Many adults who were labeled gifted as children report disillusionment, underachievement, and career dissatisfaction later in life. Why? Because no one taught them how to cope with failure, develop resilience, or manage expectations.
When your identity is tied to being "the smart one," any stumble along the road feels like the end of the world. Long-term outcomes can include:
- Chronic procrastination
- Job-hopping or career changes
- Fear of success or leadership roles
- Burnout from internalized pressure
I’ve spoken with a few friends who were labelled "gifted" in school. Many now work in jobs that don’t match their potential. Not because they failed, but because they never learned how to manage their minds in a system that wasn’t built for them.
How Can We Help Gifted Students Succeed?
Insights from Studybay's Survey on Gifted Students in the U.S.
Studybay's recent survey of 1,000 U.S. students sheds light on how we can better support gifted learners and ensure they succeed. The survey explored the challenges faced by gifted students and highlighted areas where schools and educators can improve their approach:
Rethinking Curricula
— Do gifted students get enough challenges?
72% say no, suggesting more differentiated instruction is needed.
According to the survey, 72% of students believe that gifted learners often don't have enough opportunities for intellectual challenge. To address this, schools can offer differentiated instruction, accelerated learning options, and project-based challenges for gifted students to ensure they also get carried along with the others.
Training Educators
The survey revealed that 65% of respondents feel that teachers are often unprepared to recognize or support gifted students, especially in diverse or mixed-ability classrooms.
This indicates a need for better training to help teachers recognize giftedness in all forms, including among minorities and twice-exceptional students. That way, they will be able to identify gifted students in their classrooms early on.
Prioritizing Mental Health
— Do gifted students face mental health challenges?
59% think they do, highlighting the need for more support services.
A significant concern identified by the survey was the mental health of gifted students, with 59% of students expressing that gifted learners often struggle with the pressures of their academic expectations. Providing counseling services, peer support groups, and stress management tools can help gifted students develop resilience and learn to cope with the unique pressures they face in school and beyond.
Encouraging Creativity and Autonomy
— Should gifted students have more freedom?
68% agree, emphasizing the importance of autonomy for their growth.
Gifted students need freedom to explore, create, and even fail, without fear of judgment. Creating a space like this for them will help them flourish at their own pace.
Reducing the Stigma
— Do people expect gifted students to always succeed?
74% say yes, revealing the harmful effects of this stigma.
One of the key findings from the survey was that 74% of students feel that society often assumes gifted students will automatically succeed, which can lead to a lack of understanding about their needs. It's important to stop treating giftedness like a guarantee of success. It’s not. It’s a unique wiring that requires just as much attention and care as any other special need.
School Environment and Peer Relationships
— Do gifted students face social challenges?
63% say yes, citing isolation and misunderstandings, suggesting schools should foster better peer connections.
Giftedness and Future Success
- 48% identify pressure and lack of support as the primary obstacles, emphasizing the need for more guidance from schools.
- 22% point to social isolation, noting that gifted students often feel misunderstood or disconnected from their peers.
- 11% believe that inadequate teacher training contributes to the challenges, as educators may not be equipped to recognize or support gifted students effectively.
- 9% highlight unrealistic expectations from society and educators, which can lead to stress and burnout among gifted students.
- 7% attribute the barriers to limited opportunities for creativity, as rigid curricula may stifle innovative thinking.
Real-World Examples of Underperforming Geniuses
The world is full of brilliant minds who didn’t thrive in school. Their stories remind us that academic systems often fail to recognize unconventional talent. Some famous examples that you might be familiar with include:
Albert Einstein – Struggled in school, had speech delays, and was thought to be "slow." Later, he revolutionized physics.
Steve Jobs – Dropped out of college. He hated structure but changed the world through innovation.
Richard Branson – Dyslexic and labeled as lazy in school. He founded the Virgin Group and became a billionaire.
Thomas Edison – Described as "difficult" and dropped out early. He held over 1,000 patents.
These aren’t exceptions, they’re indicators of a broader systemic mismatch. With the right knowledge, we can support geniuses the proper way.
Signs a Gifted Student May Be Struggling
Gifted students often struggle in ways that are not immediately obvious. They may refuse to complete 'easy' tasks out of boredom, overthink simple assignments, or even be labeled as lazy or defiant. These signs, like perfectionism or difficulty with social interactions, can indicate that a gifted student is not just underperforming, but facing deeper challenges. Recognizing these signs is the first step in supporting their unique needs.
Let’s Talk About Equity and Access
Giftedness exists in every demographic, but gifted programs are overwhelmingly white and affluent. This isn’t just an education issue; it’s an equity issue. We must widen the lens of gifted identification and ensure every student has a chance to be seen and supported.
Gifted ≠ Easy. Let’s End the Myth
There’s a dangerous belief that gifted students "have it easy." That they’ll do fine on their own, but the truth is, giftedness is not a luxury, it’s a different way of experiencing the world. Not all gifted kids find everything easy.
Gifted kids:
- Feel more intensely
- Think more deeply
- Struggle more internally
These kids need guidance, not assumptions, so they can grow up to be proud of who they become.
Final Takeaway: Let Them Be Brilliant Their Way
We need to stop forcing square pegs into round holes. Not every mind is meant to fit the mold of standardized education, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to fix gifted kids. The goal is to fix the systems that fail to understand them.
Classrooms should be places where unique talents are celebrated, not held back, where being different is seen as a strength, not a weakness. In these spaces, every genius—no matter how unconventional—has the opportunity to succeed.
What do you think? How can we make sure that every student has the chance to shine?
Recommended Reading & Resources
- Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined by Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
- Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults by Webb et al.
