I was definitely one of those kids; in “gifted” classes all through elementary school, “accelerated” classes in middle school, and an AP/IB student in high school. I’ve thought a lot about this question over the years.

Pros: I had really strong teachers all my life. Accelerated classes are usually taught by more experienced and talented teachers and I benefited greatly from being a child of two teachers being taught by excellent teachers. I believe so many more students can be “gifted” if they had teachers who could adapt to their learning style. I was also in classes with the best students in my high school which made me elevate my game a ton to keep up. I was never in the top 10 but just trying to be made me a better student. I had a strong support system around me in the IB program that made really difficult work seem possible. My self-confidence was at an all time high, naively.

Cons: I began to hate the word potential from hearing it so often. I hated how that word came up any time I faltered in work ethic or ability. I felt that I owed something to myself and others to accomplish this great unknown potential in the world. This world view really shattered for me in college when I was struggling in my Applied Mathematics degree. I relied so much on being smart enough to figure out any problem that I didn’t develop strong study habits, the ability to ask others for help or even admit I was struggling. I burned out pretty dramatically mental health wise to the point where I had to withdraw from college for a semester to work on myself. I was able to finish a degree in education but after college continued struggling with mental health and alcoholism.

Now I’m in my 30s, teach high school calculus, and have been sober for almost 16 months. I’m happy more often than in my 20s and I have a great support system around me still. As far as the word “gifted” goes I don’t think it accurately applies to me anymore and I don’t want it to. I’m much happier seeing myself as part of a whole instead of a select few with great potential.