Grade dropper

My son had always been a topper in school. He always got straight A’s all throughout his school years and his board exam results were also exemplary. I never had to worry him; he would like sit quietly in a corner and study, never demanded anything. Obviously, I had high expectations from him and I always let him know he is capable of doing great things. However, ever since he joined university, he has been deteriorating in his studies severely. He got admitted into a very reputed university, and at first, I dismissed it thinking this kind of pressure is normal at this stage and he will catch up. But his condition has been alarming. He has not been attending classes for two months now. There has been severe plunge in his confidence and he is not being to accept the fact that he is no longer the ace student he used to be. His teachers seem worried about him too. I think I am to be blamed here. Did I pressurize him too much with my expectations? I don’t want anything else but him to be normal again.

Issues like these are not uncommon. Many a time, good students find it difficult adjusting to the fact that they are no longer the best because that is how they had always been perceived. They suffer from a sort of identity crisis. What you can do here is let him know that there is more to him than just his academic excellence. Let him know that he is appreciated no matter what. He might have succumbed to your high expectations hence simply try to boost his confidence by saying you still believe he can make a comeback. Nurture him and help him overcome this phase.