Heyy I am 13 years old and participate in my school's gifted program (not to brag). Sometimes I feel like I am an outcast because of this. I even surpass most of the other kids in gifted. I take all advanced classes, including algebra 1 which is 2 years above my grade level, and I am still bored in school. Is there anyone else out there who has the same problem? Do you have any tips?
2007-02-16 11:44:34 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
if you are so smart why are you asking questions ? ahahah!
2007-02-16 11:47:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be careful getting too far ahead in math because of the ACT. It covers up to pre-calc which you will be blown way by when you're a junior in high school. My friend finished calc her freshman year in high school and only ended up with a 30 on the math part of the ACT. I stayed the regular course and finished pre-calc my junior year and got a 31 on math. So what i'm saying is make sure you retain everything you learn, because you won't need to know all that advanced math until your ready for your career (a long while later). Also definitely don't get too cocky.
Oh ya and i didn't notice this the first time i posted. If you are 13 i'm assuming you're in 8th grade and algebra 1 is just above average. If you are in 7th grade you are only advanced to the degree that other students just didn't get that same opportunities as you. Again, I wouldn't go bragging too much If i were you.
If you want friends just smile and be nice.
2007-02-19 02:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by Travis F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well not sure what school district you are in but I have a son
who is FAR from gifted
that is 13 (wont be 14 until Sept of this year) and he is currently in Algebra 1. THIS IS ACTUALLY only ONE YEAR above HIS current grade level.
My point in saying that is that maybe they have not placed you in a class that is challenging enough. Or that your school district has made 'gifted' have a snob appeal to it, because you do sound like you are bragging, but I am not exactly sure about what.
If you are an outcast it is probably because your need to compare yourself to others and state that you 'surpass them' infers that yourself esteem is not what it should be.
That not withstanding,
Is it possible that you can talk to your parents about a change school districts?
A gifted class in one district is slightly above average in another.
Maybe you can discuss this with your school counselor.
You also might have your mom consider enrolling you in one of the learning center programs. They will give you a test to confirm where you (*think you) are and they can create a program that will challenge you.
talk to your mom and see if there are any groups that you can join.
Locally there is a group for parents of gifted kids (dont have one so I don't know what they talk about) but your mom might be able to get some tips from them if she were to attend a few of them. At the very least you could interact with like minded people or see how they handle some of the challenges that you state that you face. If I had to guess, your *problems* have less to do with your 'gift' and more to due with your false sense of superiority.
2007-02-16 20:01:59 · answer #3 · answered by kissmymiddlefinger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was sort of an outcast like you at around that age. People would call me names though like "geek." When you get older, you'll find friends because then people mature. Trust me! It takes time to find the right friend! :)
Also, being bored in school is normal. I'm always bored! Get use to it, you'll be bored more and more once in high school (long way from now though). I would ask about skipping a grade though if you think it's too easy for you.
Keep up the good grades! You should be proud of yourself for this "gift."
One other thing though: are you in anything after school like clubs? If you join school activities, you can find new friends. Not only that, but it looks good when applying to college. So it's a plus!
Good Luck!
2007-02-16 20:08:58 · answer #4 · answered by somebody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you can move up to the high school level courses, ask if at the end of the day or in the beginning of the day you take a high school class (that is, if you could have a ride there and back everyday)
don't feel like an outcast..20 years from now it won't matter what these people are wearing..it will matter what you do! who is succesful! don't feel like an outcast
try becoming friends outside of school with all of the kids you have classes with
good luck!!
=] =]
2007-02-16 19:47:52 · answer #5 · answered by Lindsay 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was, and did, and felt the same. It'll get better as your classmates start to catch up. By highschool you'll find your groove. Don't worry, at 13 EVERYONE feels like an outcast (even the "popular" kids). A lot of it's just the hormones. Always do your best, be considerate of the slower kids (without telling them that they're slow), and you'll be just fine. The fact that you noticed says that you already have an uncommon level of insight for someone your age. You've just got to wait it out, things really do get better.
2007-02-16 19:49:52 · answer #6 · answered by Beardog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm twelve and I was offered papers for algebra 1 and i'm gonna do it next year-i'm also in an educational program. My tips: try and make friends that are the same level as you are, don't feel like an outcast you should be proud of being so smart for your age
2007-02-16 19:49:25 · answer #7 · answered by froggy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, I'm gifted. I unicycle very well. That's more like talented though. I chose to be.
I currently have 5 A's and 2 B's, so I don't consider myself gifted in that way.
Don't care that you are an outcast. It's part of who you are. Regardless of if you like it or not. Get through high school and get into a good college. You will go further in life if you stay smart.
2007-02-16 19:48:58 · answer #8 · answered by ARMY Babe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya. I am in 9th grade and pretty much all my classes are at a eleventh grade level. One is in a alvanced class IN eleventh grade. those peeps are sooo much older than me. it feels kinda awkward and i don't blame u. but don't be mad or sad about it. do u have any friends? just keep going and make sure u still have freinds. oh, and don't talk about the life u have in the advanced class with your friends because that is what i was doing when my friend thought i was bragging. i only told her how i fell so left out but she said i was bragging. oh well. just keep going with what ur doing. your special so u don't need to feel any different, since everyone is. lots of people probably envy u!!!! Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-02-16 19:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by tz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure - when you are gifted, you don't ever, EVER get to toot your own horn around your peers. They have it rubbed in their faces enough, and I guarentee you, even if they don't show it, for some of them it's a sore spot. So - you don't get to mention it once - sorry. You can still to your parents :)
Personally, I felt like middle school was eeeeasy - like this break between elementary school and high school. So - I'd say, stick it out for the next few months and there's a good chance it'll get more challenging.
Good luck!
2007-02-16 19:51:31 · answer #10 · answered by Cedar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well yes of course I can totally agree to what you are saying I mean I have taken the toughest classes such as calculus and i mean just because of I'm really good in it people think that I'm a show off but in the end of the day you know what I say to them that HATE on people like us is that they don't understand cause they dont walk in the shoes that we walk in and even if they did they could never fill them. so you know what i say it dosen't matter what poeple say to you cause you have a gift and they don't think of it this way your just gifted if you get my drift
2007-02-16 19:51:41 · answer #11 · answered by judy s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋