Interests Motivate Underachievers

Posted by Carla Marie Boulianne Aug 2, 2008

While reading Linda Emerick’s article on factors that help underachieving gifted kids reach their potential, I considered my transition from gifted underachiever to star student.

Emerick found out-of-school interests and parent support critical in reversing patterns of underachievement. I acutely recall two instances where my parents could have benefited from this advice.

While inklings of academic boredom and discontent had been present since elementary school, I entered high school with high hopes for challenge. After my first semester report card contained one B in a sea of As, my mother told me I might as well just give up because I would never get into Harvard now. She probably intended to motivate me as the B was in my easiest course, but I took her words to heart. It was many years before my report card that many As again.

As a junior, I became involved with the drama club at my school. I attended the after school course even though it was not part of my schedule. I auditioned for the school musical and got a part. My mom would not sign the permission slip. She said I needed to focus on my academics. After that experience, I furthered my disengagement from school academics and extracurriculars.

Parents who restrict extracurriculars for their gifted underachiever are only trying to help, but their efforts are misguided. Gifted underachievers can find their way back to academic success through skill development in areas of interest. Extracurricular activities are a great way to make learning relevant and help kids succeed in academics.