The Rage always suspected that prom queens and quarterbacks fizzle out soon after college. Early bloomers -- who enjoy adulation and popularity in the high school cafeteria -- don't develop the skills needed to function as adults. They don't realize that "great hair" and "killer biceps" don't cut it on a resume. Now, Psychology Today reports that the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor confirms this suspicion. According to the study, 29% of people who did well in high school were not financially independent as adults. And 20% had not met their goals. (To be prom queen forever?) They revisited the former students at ages 22 and 26. "What's scary is that it's unpredictable," says John Schulenberg, Ph.D., professor of developmental psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and the study's lead researcher. "We used to think that if things were going well in high school, they'd continue to go well." (Anyone who saw "Say Anything" -- see movie poster, left -- knew that the Lloyd Doblers would inherit the earth.) The Rage, a former fat kid, is relieved that she didn't make the cheerleading squad in 6th grade and failed a few subjects.
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox/Gracie Films
That doesn't surprise me. An excellent example as to why we should be teaching "don't rest on your laurels."
Posted by: Sabrina | April 15, 2008 at 08:07 AM
At age 26 only 20% had not met their goals? Only 29% were not financially independent? What are the percentages for the whole population, or for nerds for that matter? From my experience, I would have thought the popular kids were doing even worse.
Posted by: Rick | April 15, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I knew before the end of that post that the Rage had some serious issues with high school.
Personally, I loved high school. But I know a lot of people who never got over high school - good or bad. When people peak in high school it's a bad sign. It's especially bad for star athletes who have to face the fact that they might be stars in Smallsville but in the real world, they're nobodies. I went throught that with my own "star" athlete child who I told everyday not to put all his eggs in the sports basket. He fared well because I kept his head on straight and told him what he experienced (politics, jealosy, back stabbing, dissapointment) was practice for the real world and sports was not the real world.
I will tell the Rage, who fears mothering a female child, that the equivalent of fashion and beauty issues for girls, is the world of sports for boys and it's just as ugly - maybe uglier.
Posted by: kat | April 15, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Read the bio, official or otherwise, and interviews with _B_-illionaire Tim Blixseth.
Poor guy said he was so marginalized and poor in high school his classmates didn't even _give_ him a nickname... Darwinistically, as Woody Allen once wrote, Blixeth overcame the death of his dad, destitution, and found the inner resources to get ahead.
I suppose he's having the last laugh. But no hard feelings. He donated a golf course to one of the poorest school districts he could find in Southern California, Coachella.
A nice guy.
Posted by: socrates2 | April 15, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Despite being a teen model, I was never the prettiest in high school. Despite being varsity capt. or co-capt. of my team all through high school, I was never the mvp. Depite being popular, I was never the most popular. And, despite being smart and testing high on the SAT, I wasn't the valdectorian. Looking back, I had a great time in high school, even though I was always a little insecure (a well-hidden trait). But one thing that I always knew was that I would get an education at a top college, have a great career, and get out of the blue-collar neighborhood. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I wanted to be challenged.) The last time I went to a high school reunion, the so-called "most popular" or "in crowd" friends that I had back then hadn't done much with their lives. It's sad, really. These days, too many of my professional colleagues are jerks and I can't help but think that they were socially inept in high school and, decades later, are still lashing out at the world saying "look at me now" and behaving badly. At some point, regardless of who/what you were in high school, you have to grow up!
Posted by: mimi | April 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Too often in our society, good looks, talent and the like, often handicaps people. They are often given special preference from childhood and are not required to acquire the skills that others are, to get by.
I am a former athlete who had family that made me do my schoolwork, but also allowed me to enjoy many child and teen functions. My life was balanced, and I am grateful.
I can't tell you how many great athletes, whose families and friends jumped on the bandwagon, and didn't live in the real world, suffered as a result. Raymond Lewis the basketball great, from L.A., is a one of the unkindest examples.
Posted by: Shag | April 15, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Yet, the prom kings and queens are fighting back -- in the last decade or so, with the dumbing down of college and the strange new power of HR in many corporations, one is finding work has turned into high school and that your new boss may have been promoted to management because he retains his old air of Big Man on Campus.
Many nerds are finding themselves again marginalized.
Posted by: cec | April 16, 2008 at 06:43 AM
I'm sorry but that report was meaningless. What percentage fo the general population is independent and met financial goals at 22 and 26? give us something to compare these numbers too. How do the "popular kids fare at 36?
I mean, i haven't bought my own house in west LA (a financial goal of mine) and i doubt whether being popular has anything to do with it... Besides has anyone ever heard of tweeners (twenty somethings that stay in the nest to save money)? this is a larger social phenomenon...
This article was absurd.
Posted by: Rick | April 16, 2008 at 05:33 PM
In girls private boarding schools there are only girl and there is no boy. It is proved by research that girls perform better in the absence of boy’s .Because then they fear none that’s mean to seeing her. To search the best girl’s boarding schools you can click on following link or use our website.
www.privateboardingschools.info
Posted by: romi987 | July 02, 2008 at 03:38 AM
Boarding Schools are very good for the teens in their studies and in other activities as well. Students can learn many new and exciting things of the life. So for proper development of the student these schools are a very good source.
http://www.teensprivateschools.com/
Posted by: beavnstraut | August 01, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Hey my names Cory an im 17 and in my last year of school.
I am the student body president and also am up for prom king which is great.I never once took my popularity for granred nor did i ask for it.It comes with the benefits of playing sport or having a great group of friends.
My friends and i have never once left anybody out or if people feel they were it wasnt intentional.
School is the best time of our lives and i tink its to be injoyed.
Posted by: Cory Dylan | April 06, 2009 at 04:22 PM