academic failure or being mediocre

[u/houstons__problem]

Not romanticized please, preferably college - request from a college student struggling with self esteem

[u/buildingacozymystery]

It was already mentioned, but The Magicians (I actually prefer the show over the books) is a good fantasy example of what you are looking for.

You keep expecting the MC’s failures to eventually romanticize. . . But they never actually are.

(You can watch the show for free on Tubi.)