Good morning, I extend my best regards to you.
It is evident that you have recently transitioned to a new educational environment and stage of life. You perceive a shift in your social standing, moving from a position of prominence in junior high school to one among many. This transition has led to feelings of uncertainty and a lack of self-assessment.
From your description, it can be seen that your self-evaluation is based on the praise of classmates and teachers, as well as the desire to be the "focus" of attention in a crowd. This gives you confidence in your abilities and performance. However, after failing the entrance exam and entering a small key high school, you felt the need to outshine your classmates. This led to the discovery that your classmates possess hidden talents, and when compared with them, your own "excellence" is somewhat embarrassing.
It is evident that your standard for evaluating your own performance is that you must be better and more attractive than other individuals, otherwise you doubt your abilities.
Many people engage in the practice of comparing themselves to others. This is a natural tendency, as we all require a reference point to guide our decisions and actions.
However, if we rely solely on others as a benchmark, we may experience anxiety and self-deprecation.
It is important to recognize that there will always be individuals who outperform us in various capacities. This applies to both personal and professional endeavors. It is crucial to acknowledge that there will always be individuals who are more intelligent, work harder, or excel in other ways.
Even if some individuals excel to become the top scorer in their province and gain admission to Peking University or Tsinghua University, there will still be a gap because there will always be someone with greater intellectual capacity. As illustrated in a CCTV variety show, Kang Hui and others discussed their scores on the college entrance exam.
Sabenin stated in a calm and collected manner, "It's rather unfortunate to be in the same situation as those who are still required to take the exams."
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As is widely known, Sa Beining was accepted to the university and subsequently to graduate school. It seems likely that he would be admitted to a doctorate program as well. People of that caliber are worthy of emulation.
Consequently, there is no limit to the extent to which one can compare oneself to others.
Professor Liu Yu of Tsinghua University once stated, "My daughter is destined to become an ordinary person." It is likely that Professor Liu Yu's daughter benefits from China's top educational resources. However, she believes her daughter will eventually become an ordinary person. While her definition of "ordinary" differs from ours, it illustrates that becoming an ordinary person is a common trajectory.
I understand that this may not align with your perspective. However, it is a fact that we must acknowledge.
For you, a new school and a new environment means that you are no longer the center of attention. However, this does not mean that you will never be the center of attention again. The first thing to do when faced with the "fact" that you are not the center of attention is to accept the situation, because there is no way to change it. Then, you should consider what you can do.
As an example, if you feel you missed an opportunity to develop a particular skill in depth during your formative years, you can pursue that goal now.
It is not difficult to be the center of attention in a crowd. There are many kinds of attention. It is likely that every school will have students who are not doing well in their studies or even get into fights. These students will also become the center of attention. In short, being the center of attention means being different from other people.
For a middle school girl, being the center of attention can be about grades, talent, looks, or even being a loner, or having braided pigtails, wearing a Republic of China-era outfit, or going after the school hunk. This is not to suggest that you should pursue any of these avenues, but rather to illustrate that there are many forms of attention. As long as you are willing to do so and maintain the right attitude, even if you are simply pretending to be in a good mood, you will be perceived as the center of attention.
Naturally, this may not be the type of attention you desire.
From your inquiry, it appears that a female high school student, after transitioning to a new environment, is experiencing a sense of disorientation akin to that of a fish that has migrated from a pond to a river and is struggling to adapt. The psychological shift is understandable and not uncommon.
It is advisable to accept what is unchangeable and then to apply oneself to the task at hand.
It is important to note that the three years of high school will pass at varying paces, and that everyone will undergo significant changes. When one begins their journey through high school, it is possible that they may encounter individuals who are equipped with different resources and skillsets. However, this does not guarantee that they will remain in the same position upon completion of the journey.
I believe some individuals will undergo significant changes.
It is therefore crucial to take action in order to reduce anxiety.
You may also wish to speak with a counselor. All schools are now required to have a psychology teacher who provides free counseling services to students.
I am frequently a Buddhist and occasionally a pessimistic counselor. I have a deep affection for the world and for you.


Comments
I can totally relate to feeling like you're not measuring up in a new environment. It's tough when the place you thought would be your dream turns out to challenge your confidence. It seems like adjusting to this new setting is harder than expected, and it's okay to feel lost while figuring things out.
It's heartbreaking to feel overshadowed after being used to standing out. I wonder if finding a smaller group or niche within your school where you can shine might help? Sometimes big environments can be overwhelming, but there's usually a space that fits us better.
Feeling envious of others' achievements and their ability to praise each other openly is understandable. Maybe focusing on personal growth and setting small, achievable goals for yourself could help shift that mindset. Building selfworth from within can be empowering.
The transition between schools can really shake one's confidence. Remember, it's not about being the best at everything; it's about finding what you're truly passionate about and excelling in that area. You've already shown great adaptability by overcoming timidity in junior high.
It sounds like you're grappling with a lot of emotions all at once. Perhaps talking to someone who has been through a similar experience or seeking advice from a mentor could offer some perspective and comfort during this time of adjustment.