Fading Brilliance: Narratives of Former Honor Students

This study addresses the often-overlooked issue of academic underachievement among former honor students in the Philippines, where cultural and familial pressures intensify academic struggles. Using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method, the research pursued three objectives: (1) to understand students’ transition from excellence to underachievement, (2) to identify contributing factors, and (3) to document coping strategies. Findings reveal that participants viewed academic excellence as a core part of their identity, making setbacks particularly distressing. Challenges such as financial strain, overwhelming workload, and diminished self-confidence were common, yet participants developed resilience strategies, including adaptive study habits, self-compassion, and reliance on support systems. Based on these findings, institutional reforms are recommended, such as transition programs, mental health initiatives targeting perfectionism, and peer mentorship programs to help high-achieving students navigate challenges without compromising their sense of self-worth.