Which is a longish way of giving the answer no one wants to hear: Experience is everything.
Most of the difference seem to be in motivation.
When I studied at university many years ago, my course had a reputation for being tough. Before the course started properly, there was a three week intensive Java course with an exam at the end. They suggested that if you didn't pass the exam, then it probably wasn't the subject for you. A couple of people failed that exam and continued with the rest of the year long course anyway. Those people did struggle and I don't think any of them passed.
It's a repeating pattern in this society, fools with advanced gear doing what fools do best.
Consider using a hammer against a pneumatic tool. A newbie will hose you with better tools, they're wielding that condensed knowledge at their hands, their sum overshadow yours with only a hammer.