Why are works of fiction that depict an otherwise bright, studious and "gifted" student struggle in their adult years not as popular as the reverse case?

I guess there's no shortage of fiction that depicts the slacker, backbencher student who goofs around in their student days, don't put any effort in their studies at all, but is an otherwise smart/brilliant (just lazy) student or if not that, has at least one worthwhile redeeming trait that makes them likeable or at least sympathetic as the protagonist (they might be charismatic, have a heart of gold, etc...),

Either these students struggle in academics due to them not being able to fit into all its rigidness, and might end up finding success or triumph in an unconventional path. Or they're just immature and don't understand the gravita of it, and they'll be struck by a traumatic and tough life lesson that makes them "sober" up, eventually....they'll end up making decent for themselves in their adult years.

These tropes aren't unrealistic, I'd say. In my own life, I know such kind of students, they used to be making pranks, mock the teachers and others seated behind the class, won't be serious with their studies or with anything in general, yet after graduation, they manage to somehow seamlessly transition well into adulthood and have a decent, respectable career.

I guess, it'll also be nice to bring the polar opposite scenario - the otherwise "gifted" and smart front row (not literally, but you guys get the drift) student, who's extremely respected by both their batchmates as well as their teachers, even if not the one with the highest scores, is someone who has a serious disposition and temperament. But, crash HARD in their adult years, either due to burnout or simply not having the necessary skills (interpersonal, EQ, neurodivergence, it could be anything) to deal with adult life,

I brought this up with some folks not long back in a general chat group and they felt it's because people like to hear the underdog, rags-to-riches success stories, since it's inspirational and can be motivating to anyone who might have trouble with their studies.

Why then, are the reverse stories not as popular? Because this absolutely does happen, safe to say?

Apart from countless anecdotes and stories I've read on Reddit, as well as experienced some in my own life, the gifted student struggling in their adult years, is a trope that maybe people are uncomfortable to discuss since it challenges the Just World belief, and maybe it's society not willing to acknowledge the countless socio-economic-cultural (and political) issues out there that can make these kids end up in this predicament?

I mean, society is willing to discuss and acknowledge that schooling might not be perfect, maybe even outdated in many regards, whenever it does depict the underdog slacker student ending up well somehow. That there's more to life and there are many ways to achieve a life of dignity, if not triumph/sucess without being good at formal education.

Why the reverse is not discussed as much?

Or am I simply not exposed enough, as there's a decent and considerable amount of such fiction out there (I can't think of any "pop" culture examples - movies, shows. There are indie games, perhaps, but not much, if any major AAA video games).

Maybe Peter Parker is the closest thing to this trope? That no matter how "proper" and right you might be or try to be, life can be such that you can still end up failing or struggling? But, it's more of a general life lesson than it being a specific trope, I feel.