How to Cope When You’re Smart But Still Struggling in School

Ever sat at your desk for hours, staring at your notes, and thought, "Why is nothing sticking?" You’re trying,  really trying  but your brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open… and none of them are loading.

Does this ring a bell?

According to a 2023 survey by the American College Health Association, over 63% of college students reported overwhelming anxiety, and 45% said they felt things were hopeless at some point in the academic year. Much of this stress stems from poor study habits, undiagnosed conditions like ADHD, and the unrelenting pressure to be a straight-A student.

 Every day, thousands of students step into college with the best intentions… and walk straight into frustration, burnout, and self-doubt. Not because they’re not smart but because they’re still using study habits that worked in high school but are now backfiring.

Let’s get real.

Why High School Studying Doesn’t Work in College Anymore

In high school, studying often meant this:

• Highlight everything.

• Cram the night before.

• Pray.

• Pass.

And it worked. But now? That same strategy feels like trying to charge an iPhone with a broken cord — it looks like it’s working, but nothing’s happening.

Here’s the truth: College doesn’t just test your memory. It tests your ability to think, apply, and connect. That means the memorization, all-nighters, and last-minute heroics? They’re no longer enough.

One student said:

“In high school, I didn’t really need to study. But in college, everything crashed. I tried the same tricks — they just didn’t work anymore.”

It’s not that you got dumber. It’s that the game changed… and nobody gave you a new playbook.

ADHD or Just Burnout? You Might Be Misreading the Signs

Another major thing we don’t talk about enough?

Some of us aren’t struggling because we’re lazy — we’re struggling because of ADHD.

And for many, it wasn’t diagnosed until college.

ADHD doesn’t always look like bouncing off walls. Sometimes it’s:

• Reading the same paragraph 5 times.

• Starting 10 things, finishing none.

• Zoning out in class even though you really want to pay attention.

• Spending 3 hours trying to start an assignment.

• Doing everything last minute because you couldn’t begin earlier.

One student shared:

“I was one of the top students in high school. But in college, I was failing. I didn’t know why — until I was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety.”

Good News? ADHD Isn’t a Curse.

It’s just a different operating system. It comes with struggles, yes — but also strengths:

• Creative thinking

• Big-picture vision

• High-energy focus (when it matters)

• Quick decision-making under pressure

If this feels like you, consider talking to a campus counselor or psychologist. Getting clarity could be the first step to studying your way.

The Silent Pressure to Be an A+ Student (And Why It’s Crushing You)

There’s an invisible weight many students carry: “If I don’t get A’s, I’m a failure.”

Let’s challenge that.

Not being an “A” student doesn’t mean:

• You’re not smart.

• You’re not going to succeed.

• You’re not trying hard enough.

The truth is, grades measure performance in a system, not your worth or intelligence.

Albert Einstein said:

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”

Let that sink in.

So breathe. You are allowed to grow at your pace, not at the speed of your transcript.

Why Cramming and Memorizing is Failing You in College

Let’s be real.

Cramming is basically academic gambling. Sometimes it works. Most times, it doesn't.

Cramming and memorization may get you through one test… but leave you blank when it really matters. College wants understanding — not recall. And when the pressure builds, that memory will betray you.

One student said:

“I used to memorize everything. But in college, I couldn’t keep up. I’d study for hours and still forget everything during exams.”

Here’s why:

• Your brain retains meaning, not data.

• The more you understand, the more you remember — without effort.

How Bad Study Habits From High School Hurt You in College

In high school, you may have been rewarded for:

• Last-minute studying

• Copying notes without understanding

• Memorizing definitions

• Studying only when exams were close

But in college, these habits cost you. They lead to:

• Anxiety and burnout

• Poor understanding

• Lack of confidence

• Constant procrastination

• Feeling “not smart enough”

Practical Ways to Build Better Study Habits

✅ 1. Study to Understand, Not to Memorize

Use the Feynman Technique: Try to explain the concept like you’re teaching a 5-year-old. If you can’t, you don’t fully understand it yet.

✅ 2. Try “Active Recall” Instead of Rereading

• Don’t just highlight. Quiz yourself.

• Ask questions like “Why does this happen?” or “What’s the connection here?”

✅ 3. Use Spaced Repetition

Study a little every day — not all at once. Apps like Anki or Quizlet can help with this.

✅ 4. Create a Simple, Repeatable Routine

• Choose 1–2 hours daily for focused study.

• Use the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes work, 5 minutes break.

• Reward yourself after study blocks.

✅ 5. Set Micro Goals

Instead of: “Study Chapter 5” Try: “Summarize Chapter 5 in my own words and write 3 quiz questions.”

✅ 6. Ask for Help Early

Don’t wait till it’s too late. Professors, tutors, classmates — most people want to help, but you’ve got to speak up.

✅ 7. Be Kind to Yourself

You won’t get it perfect. That’s okay. The goal is progress, not perfection.

✍

Yours

Yemi Solves