From Star Student to Struggling Freshman: Navigating the Transition with a Growth Mindset

“She really didn’t have to study hard in high school”

“He graduated high school at the top of his class”

“School has always come easily for them”

You are filled with pride as your child walks across the stage to receive their diploma at or near the top of their graduating class. Their future is so bright as they plan to attend their chosen university in the fall.

Will they do as well in college?

It’s a mix of emotions as you celebrate this milestone and nervously anticipate the next transition.

But what if they stumble? They got into the school of their dreams with expectations to proceed business as usual. But now they are surrounded by peers who also graduated at the top of their class. They aren’t the standout “smart” student here.

It’s really common for high-achieving students to experience imposter syndrome when they first arrive at college. They wonder if they belong. They might feel as if they have “tricked” the admissions department into letting them come here when they see themselves as clearly not ready. The shift from being at the top to being average–or even behind–is a blow to their ego, and might even prevent them from seeking help.

And on top of that, it’s hard! Sure they had to do a lot of work in high school, but the structure is vastly different in college, and they find themselves floundering to find their place in this new environment. There is a lot of freedom in their day, but they might not have experience in managing their own time and responsibilities. High School kept them captive all day with few options and less choices. After school, the rest of their day was also scheduled for them with activities, studying, even meal times being dictated by someone else. They were SO busy in high school making sure they had all the extracurriculars and community service to get into the best college, and now that they are here, they don’t know what to do with all of their free, unscheduled time.

The support structure is also vastly different in college. They have shifted from teacher-led supports and check-ins to being responsible for their own learning. If they have a question or problem, they need to seek out support during office hours from professors who often don’t know their name.

Shifting the Mindset

Equip them with the skills they need to adjust to this new playing field. They are used to being the best, but now they might find themselves equal with or even behind their peers in this new college environment.

Foster a growth mindset of encouraging effort over outcome. Everything is an opportunity for growth — even failure and struggle. If they haven’t had to work very hard up to this point, their whole identity will be rocked by the idea of having to struggle and study hard. They might be thinking “I thought I was smart!” Equating the idea that if I’m “smart” that means I don’t have to work very hard is a mindset that is “fixed” as opposed to “growth.”

According to Carol Dweck’s research, a fixed mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are static, and you’re either born with talent or you’re not. In contrast, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Students with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and see hard work as a path to mastery, rather than as evidence that they’re “not smart.”

So, How Can You Help?

Talk openly about imposter syndrome. Help them understand it’s common and doesn’t mean they don’t belong.

Normalize asking for help. Let them know that reaching out to professors, advisors, and tutors is a strength — not a sign of failure.

Praise effort and process, not just results. This reinforces the value of persistence over perfection.

Encourage self-reflection. Ask questions like “What’s working?” or “What did you learn from that?” instead of just “How did you do?”

Share your own stories. Tell them about a time you struggled, asked for help, or started over — it goes further than you think.

Remind them: they don’t have to be the best. They just have to keep showing up.