I have been giving this some thought lately.

In 4th grade I was in the "Star" group, meaning I was tested and placed in a group of gifted students. I did great for a year, until my favorite aunt committed suicide at the age of 21. I continued to do well until my awesome teacher left the school later that year. Losing two role models in the same year was hard..... My grades slipped and I struggled, barely passing through the 12th grade (I have think teachers pass d me because they had sympathy for me).

I ended up returning to college in my 30's, and graduated University with Cum Laude Honors, University Honors and Deans Honors; I suppose th intelligence was always there, but the drive and motivation were not.