From School Topper to University Survivor: My Learning Journey

 From School Topper to University Survivor: My Learning Journey

In school, I was known as the “topper.”

Good grades, praise from teachers, confidence before exams — everything felt under control. I knew how to study, how to score marks, and how to meet expectations. Success felt familiar.

Then I entered university.

Suddenly, everything changed.

This is not a story of failure. It’s a story of unlearning, adjusting, struggling, and growing. This is my honest journey from being a school topper to becoming a university survivor — and what I learned along the way.

School Life: Where Everything Felt Clear

School gave me structure:

Fixed timetable

Clear syllabus

Repeated exam patterns

Teachers who guided every step

If I studied hard and memorized well, I scored high. Effort had a visible reward. I felt confident because I knew the system.

I believed university would be the same — just bigger books and longer lectures.

I was wrong.

The Shock of University Reality

University didn’t welcome me gently.

From day one, I felt:

Lost in lectures

Confused about expectations

Overwhelmed by freedom

Pressured by competition

No one checked homework daily. No one reminded me of deadlines. No one explained exactly how to study.

For the first time, my old methods didn’t work.

When Being a “Topper” Wasn’t Enough

This was the hardest part.

I studied like I always did — long hours, memorization, last-minute revision. But my results didn’t match my effort. My confidence slowly dropped.

I started questioning myself:

“Am I not smart enough anymore?”

“Why am I struggling when others aren’t?”

“Was I only good at school, not learning?”

The truth was painful but important:

University doesn’t reward memorization — it rewards understanding.

Learning to Study All Over Again

University forced me to relearn how to learn.

I realized I needed to:

Understand concepts, not just remember them

Ask questions instead of staying silent

Accept confusion as part of learning

This shift wasn’t easy. It took time, patience, and many mistakes.

But slowly, things started making sense.

The Emotional Struggle No One Talks About

Academics were only one part of the struggle.

Emotionally, I felt:

Pressure to prove myself again

Fear of disappointing my family

Constant comparison with others

Guilt for resting

I missed the version of me who felt confident and sure. I felt like I had lost my identity as a “good student.”

This phase taught me something important: Grades don’t define your worth — growth does.

Comparison Became My Biggest Enemy

In school, comparison motivated me.

In university, it destroyed my peace.

I compared:

Grades

Confidence

Participation

Social life

Social media made it worse. Everyone looked productive, happy, and successful. I felt behind, even when I was trying my best.

It took time to understand: Everyone struggles — just not loudly.

From Perfection to Survival Mode

At one point, my goal changed.

Earlier, it was:

“I want to be the best.”

Now, it became:

“I want to survive without losing myself.”

And surprisingly, that mindset helped.

I stopped chasing perfection and focused on:

Consistency

Balance

Mental health

Surviving university is also a success.

What University Taught Me That School Didn’t

University didn’t just teach subjects. It taught life.

🔹 Independence

No one holds your hand. You learn to manage time, stress, and responsibilities on your own.

🔹 Failure

Not every effort leads to success — and that’s okay.

🔹 Self-awareness

You learn your limits, strengths, and weaknesses.

🔹 Growth over grades

Learning matters more than scoring.

The Day I Stopped Being Harsh on Myself

One day, I asked myself:

“Would I speak to a friend the way I speak to myself?”

The answer was no.

So I changed:

I allowed mistakes

I rested without guilt

I celebrated small wins

That day, learning became lighter.

Redefining Success for Myself

Success no longer meant topping every exam.

Now, success means:

Understanding concepts

Managing stress

Staying mentally healthy

Growing a little every day

I’m no longer just a topper or a survivor.

I’m a learner.

Advice for Students Like Me

If you were a school topper struggling in university, please remember:

You are not failing — you are adapting

Struggle doesn’t mean you’re incapable

Growth takes time

University is a different game, not a test of intelligence

Be patient with yourself.

Final Thoughts

My journey from school topper to university survivor wasn’t smooth, but it was meaningful. It broke my ego, rebuilt my mindset, and reshaped my understanding of learning.

University didn’t make me weaker.

It made me real.

And this journey is still going.

Welcome to my Learning Journal — where growth matters more than perfection.