33 Cringy Things That Scream Someone Peaked In High School

One common indicator that a person "peaked in high school" is if they rely on their past accomplishments to define their current value. Sure, it's great to be proud of one's achievements, but it's equally important to continue growing and setting new goals. If you feel like you haven't succeeded at something for a while and only tend to reminisce about the good old days, it might be a sign that you need to take on a new challenge.

Another indication is if the person is struggling to adjust to adult responsibilities. High school conveniently provides students with a structured environment and clear expectations and duties, which makes it trickier for some to transition into adulthood, where you have to take matters into your own hands. After leaving such an environment, individuals might feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to navigate the challenges of adulthood.

This can further lead to people struggling to find their own identity and purpose. Since high school provides a clear path for many of them, it can be hard to discover passions on their own without it. 

However, it's not all downhill from there, as it's never too late to continue growing and find new successes in different areas of life. In fact, one study has found that people who performed well during their high school years tend to display better cognitive functions even 60 years later.

The reason our brains are so attached to our high school years might be because "instruction provided by more experienced and knowledgeable teachers might be more intellectually stimulating and provide additional neural or cognitive benefits," says Dominika Šeblová, a research scientist at Columbia University.