Why top schools can make you feel less capable

Imagine two students ace a chemistry midterm. One goes to a local college, the other to an Ivy League school. At the smaller school, the student is in the top third of the class and feels like a genius, ready to tackle any lab. At the Ivy League, the identical student, facing Nobel-caliber classmates, suddenly feels out of place—like a tiny fish in a vast ocean. Both have the exact same raw ability and study habits, yet their sense of competence diverges dramatically. This is the Big Fish–Little Pond effect: your self-concept is shaped more by how you stack up locally rather than strictly by your absolute skills.

Psychologist Herbert Marsh shows us that learners measure their worth not against an abstract standard but relative to those around them. If every classmate is sharper, your confidence erodes, even if you’re objectively strong. Conversely, in a supportive, less competitive environment, you feel capable and motivated. That confidence fuels engagement and persistence, which then drives real success.

The lesson? When you find your confidence dipping amid brilliant peers, it doesn’t always mean you lack ability—it may simply mean you’re swimming in the wrong pond. Shifting to personal benchmarks and celebrating each win helps you maintain motivation and keeps your growth on track.

When you’re tempted to compare yourself with brilliant peers, pause and list three people you know you outperform alongside three who outshine you. Sketch your personal timeline of progress—remember every small improvement you’ve made. Then set one absolute goal, like reading fifty pages or writing one clear paragraph daily, and focus on that metric. Celebrate hitting your target and feel your confidence rebuild regardless of the surrounding talent.