Our Environment Shapes Our Self-Perception and Success

Success is often relative and influenced by our immediate surroundings. Being a small fish in a big pond can damage confidence and hinder performance due to unfavorable comparisons with peers. Caroline Sacks's experience at an elite university illustrates how prestigious environments can sometimes undermine capable individuals. "The smarter your peers, the dumber you feel; the dumber you feel, the more likely you are to drop out of science." Selecting environments where we can confidently excel helps us maintain motivation and achieve our potential.