Why are some brilliant students unsuccessful in life, after college?

Question

I had a class fellow who always came first in his studies, later on he struggled for years to get a decent job..

Answer 1

Some people can read then quote the book, however they do not really understand it in real life. Often I have seen people who know a subject only as it was written in a book they read. If asked their view on the subject they can only quote what they read, they can not form their own point of view.
Then there are the ones who can read a book on a subject - but when it comes to hands on they fail. If it is a screwdriver and tool problem or pratical job application to a job.

Answer 2

Interesting question... I agree with the first answerer in that the intent of the student is really the only way to know. I knew I wanted to be a Psychologist when I started undergraduate, and I'm now a year away from getting my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. My passion was in the right place, and even though I am not currently practicing, I would contend that I am quite successful! In all honesty, psychology often gets pinned as an "easy" major... but that was not the case at my undergrad. Most people in it for the wrong reasons ended up changing majors (usually to Liberal Studies) after starting either History & Systems or BioPsych courses. Those are the BEST ;-)

Answer 3

The typical college education teaches subjects like physics, chemistry and mathematics, but does not teach us how to deal successfully with real life situations. The focus is always more on theoretical knowledge rather than practical applications. As a result some brilliant students build a surreal environment that practically ensure they will struggle in the real world.

Answer 4

In school, you mostly absorb the knowledge explored, expanded, organized and recorded by others. You're then graded according to how well you've absorbed that knowledge.

In life, you have to apply your knowledge and do so with certain strategies and tactics. You also have to judge on when and which type of knowledge you want to apply in which situation.

In school, the problems are defined for you in all the tests and exams, even the questions are clearly stated. You just have to address the problems you're given and answer just the questions that are asked. In life, you have to define the problems and ask the own questions yourself before you can even work on the solutions/answers.

Some people could not make the transition and, in spite of their academic achievements, find themselves floundering in life.

Answer 5

Because you can be smart, but also be lazy or arrogant or hard to get along with or any number of things. College means nothing these days and a lot of kids fresh out of college thing that the world now owes them something. I was that way and was rudely awakened to reality. You may be the most popular man about campus when in college, but you have to start at the bottom when you come out.

Answer 6

maybe some of them can't communicate well to get a decent job. Their grades are only based on academic results.

I have an idea for these people:
Join professional etiquette class to get one.

Answer 7

Academic education solely differs from "real" life education.

Answer 8

because there is such a thing as being book smart and being real world smart. real life is a LOT different then college.

Answer 9

School is pretty much about how well you take tests. Life isn't about yes/no, true/false.

Answer 10

basically our eduactional system ruins them
they may be born genious but their ideas may be thrashed during their education particulaly in college i am one among them