Big fish, small pond --> Small fish, big pond

demeter
Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:17:45 +0000

I used the exact some comparison as the one you used in the thread title to describe my transition to someone awhile ago (it’s a common phrase, but I know what you mean). I was in pretty much the same position in high school - known as the “crazy smart” one from whom other people asked for help. And yes, the new feeling of anonymity takes some getting used to, but you will get used to it, mostly for the better.

You have to consider this transition as a motivating factor. Other people will be smarter and more talented, so let their actions and intellect motivate you to become more involved and more of an expert on whatever you’re interested in. If you really want a college education, then you don’t want to be stuck in a place where you’re not being challenged by your peers and professors. And often, this involves swallowing your pride and facing your insecurities.

However, you will probably also realize that you have skills and knowledge that other people don’t, so that makes you “smarter” than they are in a certain way. Don’t rely on other people’s praise to give you confidence. While you need to face the fact that some other people are simply more talented, it would be wrong to jump to the conclusion that you are therefore inadequate because you’re no longer the best.

When you meet someone whose intellect you admire, try to learn from them rather than resent them. As you rationally know, most people aren’t brilliant across all disciplines, so you’ll get your chance to shine, too. And when you find your niche, you won’t have to worry about not being the best at everything.

I’m not saying you’ll never meet anyone who makes you feel ashamed of your own accomplishments, but the majority of the time, you will come to respect and admire these people rather than be merely jealous of them (though I would not recommend this as a constant source of contentment).

Also, there are some incredibly smart people out there who simply lack life skills, whether its common sense or how to interact with others, so if you’re ever feeling particularly low and in need of cheer, you can always pat yourself on the back for not being one of them.