Help - Am I not Smart Enough?

I'm a 16 year old boy in 11th grade studying at reputable public high school. I'm surrounded by intelligent people and I always feel inferior. When I went to middle school I was probably one of the smartest people - double advanced math, honors English, track, you name it. Then I applied to the IB high school in our district and was admitted. I immediately went from the top of my class to average. Everyone here takes a full honors schedule in their 9th and 10th grade and a full IB (similar to AP) schedule in 11th and 12th grade. 80% of people have above a 3.5 GPA. Many people are also committed to varsity sports and other clubs. The Average ACT is a 29.4. As you can see already, this is a competitive high school. The problem is that my grades have recently dropped from a 3.6 to a 3.5 and at my school that is extreme. I've become extremely stressed recently and lost sleep over it. The whole inferiority I feel is just ruining how I behave and see the world. I guess what I want is just reassurance and real life examples that everything is going to be fine. Thanks!

Oh my goodness. I'm sorry you're in such a stressful situation. Yes, I promise that everything is going to be fine in the longest term. I don't usually make such blanket statements, but I think I can do so truthfully here.

Your GPA is relevant in the next steps you take in education. But it isn't a "make or break" situation. It says nothing about the kind of person you are. It says nothing about what you value in life, and what you bring to your future work, to your friendships, and to romantic relationships. None of the important things in life depend on GPAs. If you don't get into the "right" university, you'll get into a different one. Where you'll meet people you wouldn't have met any other way. Or perhaps you won't go to university at all. http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/04/grad_sc ... t_way.html Because you're doing something better with your life. You get to define better. That's part of working out "the meaning of life" for yourself. [It takes time. And self-exploration.]

Going from being a big fish in a small pond, to being a small fish in a big pond, is challenging in itself. It's good to be around people who are smarter than you. But smart isn't everything. Smart people can be really, really stupid. I suggest keeping an eye on the bigger picture. Finding some role models who have not followed the path you're on. That's not to say you should change path. Or stop working and drop to a 2.5. Just that as you've spotted, the chase for points is ruining your enjoyment of life. And it doesn't need to. I know it's easier said than done to stop. But it's worth trying. Keep an eye on what you enjoy outside school or outside academic subjects. Don't narrow your focus too far.