What does it actually mean "wasted talent" ?

Question

well i am in college and i wanted to give up bcaz my classes are kinda hard and im almost close to graduating... my ex-bf said to me "dont be one of those people who will be classified as "wasted talent"

Answer 1

Literally it means that someone possessed inherent talent but it was wasted because they did not want to or were not able to use that talent to its fullest potential.  

Talent can be wasted either due to lack of opportunity (like poverty for example) or lack of initiative which is probably what your bf is referring to.  Don't take the statement in a negative way, he effectively is saying how much he admires you and regrets that you may be losing the chance to give the world what you are capable of.  

To say someone might be wasted talent means to acknowledge they have talent to begin with and that is a compliment. I don't know anything about you but I feel sorry to hear anyone giving up on college because of how hard it is.  Take two or three chances at graduating if you need to but don't walk away. You are not only denying yourself, but are also denying the world all the contribution you are capable of.

Answer 2

Wasted talent is one that is not used to it's fullest potential or not used at all.