“They definitely peaked in high school.” This phrase is often thrown around as an insult the minute someone gets humbled in their adult life. It’s widely acknowledged that high school is the “best” time of your life but what happens after you get on the graduation stage and turn your tassel? The stereotype is that people who “peak in high school” struggle with what comes next. However, “peaking” in high school just prepares people by giving them the right tools to succeed.
The phrase “peaking in high school” is generally viewed negatively, as if the second someone steps off of the graduation stage, their life is over. This is far from the truth and should actually be the other way around. Peaking in high school helps students build a strong foundation for future success. It’s about using those early achievements to continue growing and reach new heights.
A study from the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that overcoming challenges and stress in high school-whether academic or social-can build resilience which is key to long-term success.
The media is one of the biggest influences when it comes to fueling the stereotype, often portraying TV stars as popular high schoolers who are stuck in the past, struggling to move on.
DVHS teacher Karie Chamberlain stated, “For me, movies have kind of portrayed that stereotypical peaking in high school. So many of the movies that I grew up with were almost comical as they who show people who peaked as the typical athletes and popular girls and how they spend the rest of their life after trying to revive themselves in a way.”
The word “peaking” should be used in the context of success, not popularity. It’s about finding success in different areas of life. Maybe you excelled at balancing school, sports, or leadership roles in high school. Those experiences are the ones that set you up to handle the bigger responsibilities that come with college and adulthood. Being successful in high school doesn’t mean that your growth ends there; it’s just the beginning.
Moving from high school to college is a big jump and isn’t easy for anyone. A study at UCLA found that during the transition from high school to college, 30% of students feel overwhelmed due to the stress of being independent. College brings new challenges, including being away from home, managing your time, and figuring out who you are in the real world.
College can be humbling for everyone, no matter how prepared or down-to-earth you are. That humbling process doesn’t disregard past achievements, it builds on them. Rather than thinking of peaking as something that only happens once, we should see it as a series of personal growth moments. High school can be the start of that journey, where confidence and independence are developed, setting students up for future success.
Chamberlain said, “Those who peaked found themselves and they do everything for themselves, regardless of the pressures they’re from their parents or other students and their friends and this mindset is setting them up to be independent once they move on to college.”
Succeeding in high school builds more than just a resume. It helps you understand who you are and what you’re capable of. This self-awareness makes it easier to navigate pressures from peers or family, fostering true independence as you move forward.
Peaking in high school isn’t about a moment or a phase; it’s about discovering your place and interests, setting yourself up for long-term success.
