3 Steps to Fix “Former Gifted Kid” Syndrome

Feel like your above-average abilities took a nose-dive after your teenage years? Let me fix that for you.

Another pop psychology term created via social media, “former gifted kid” syndrome describes teens and adults who were previously enrolled in advanced or “gifted” curricula but currently find themselves in a perpetual state of burnout with a big dose of imposter syndrome.

Photo of a person sitting outside on the ground, with their head laid back on a bench and a textbook on their face, by Tony Tran on Unsplash.

It’s demoralizing and uncomfortable. If you’re ready to leave that space, you can. Here’s how to get started:

1 — Start half-assing shit.

Your fear of looking stupid is holding you back. If you can learn to live with embarrassment, you will get five times as far.

If you have the choice between turning in a half-done assignment or no assignment at all, the 50% work will embarrass you in front of your professor but it will get you the better overall course score.

Learn to understand when your choice is between a zero and a fifty, rather than beating yourself up for not having a perfect score as an option that day.

The bottom line is what counts. Your metaphorical professor will end up with an overall impression of you, like your overall course grade. Focus on…