Am I dumb?

Question

Hi. I'm 15 and a sophomore in high school. I've never thought of myself as intelligent but of course, I wish I was. I live in a very affluent community in Westchester where everyone is expected to be in honors or AP classes and an 89 is considered a bad grade. Most of my friends are in honors classes while I'm stuck in average and one almost sub-average class. Let me assure you. I'm no ignorant. Its just that if the material isn't presented in a certain way, I don't understand it. I also have poor social skills. When i meet new people, i stumble on words and get very nervous and very awkward. All in all, I'm just an average joe. I consider high 80s to be good grades. I am not gifted in any academic. The only thing that I seem to have is a little creativity. It's mediocre. I speak French and Portuguese fluently and I'm not even in honors French at school. Look. Even this whole question description is choppy and robotic. What do you think?

Answer 1

I don't think you're dumb at all. In fact, I definately would have thought you were older than 15 if you hadn't mentioned your age. There is one thing you haven't learned yet, and that is that it is (and always will be) pointless to judge yourself against others. The only person it makes sense to compare yourself to is yourself in the past. There is only one way to tell if you are doing well in school; do you know and understand more about the world around you than you did last year? Do you feel your knowledge base expanding and see yourself making improvements? Are you doing the best you can to get the most out of every opportunity? You don't have to be perfect and you never have to live up to what other people are doing.

For now, try taking up something you enjoy, that is only for you, and don't compare yourself to other people. If you devote that time you spend not having a social life to expressing your creativity (like art or music), you might find your special talent and start to have a little confidence in yourself.

If you know that you are learning, than you are on the right track. As for your social life, you'll find that when you get out of high school knowing three languages and being creative will make you interesting to people with a certain level of depth. The best years of your life are not going to be your high school years, but you have tons to look forward to afterwards.

Answer 2

I suppose this can be a present worldwide fashion. I suppose Americans have become dumber in specific fields like Math, Science and science, even as fields like banking, finance have remained unaffected. I studied Computer Engineering in a University in Nigeria for a few years earlier than I came visiting to a US institution, and my private revel in (and my grades) exhibit that the coursework is naturally a few phases simpler over right here within the U.S. Similar statements will also be made whilst evaluating coursework in India, China and Japan. On the opposite hand, there's a steady mind drain from all over the place the sector to the US within the technological know-how and math fields as countless numbers of individuals migrate from nations like China and India to the US to begin new lives each and every 12 months, so I dont suppose the US will lose its technological part for a few many years no less than. In truth, take a walk by way of the College of Engineering structures of so much schools within the US and u will see a dominance of Asian scholars (When China will get their act totally in combination, its over=)

Answer 3

Hey, I am from the country, where an 89 is greatly appreciated and the only other language spoken is Redneck, you should be proud of yourself Portuguese and French that is awesome, just be yourself you are only 15 I am sure what ever you decide to do with your life you will be great, just give yourself some time, you have to figure you out first everything else will come later Good luck

Answer 4

uh, if you are tri-lingual, you are way, way ahead of most Americans.

You feel awkward? Yeah. YOU ARE 15 YEARS OLD.

it isn't fun. wasn't fun for me, living in a very affluent town, going to private schools, having a Mensa IQ, no girlfriend, not popular, always on the outside looking in.

just relax, my friend. RELAX. you have a rare gift---humility. You have a rare gift---languages. Tackle a new language. None of these other kids is better than you---none of them.

one more time---NONE OF YOUR CLASSMATES ARE BETTER THAN YOU.

would you like me to repeat that?

14-17 are hard years. You'd be surprised by how many of your classmates feel as awkward and alienated as you do. And, I'd bet that many people who see you daily think that you really have it all together. Maybe you actually do.

Just do yer thang, relax, and understand this...

understand this...

you are not going through anything that millions of other kids have not gone thru. 15 sucks.

Peace be with you, my friend....Brian

Answer 5

YOU ARE NOT DUMB!! Nobody is dumb! If anyone calls you dumb, that's sad because if they are so "smart" then why aren't they studying or doing extra credit?! People say they're dumb, but really, they're not. They just need to KNOW it. So tomorrow, just walk up to someone and compliment them! Sorry, back to the question. Anyway, your smartness level isn't really who you are. People that are "too smart", spend so much time hidden behind a book they have no time to be them-selves!! Oh an the PRESSURE!!! Living in a good neighborhood isn't bad,just stressful. They expect you to do way too much. Just do you're best and remember: Nobody is dumb!!

Answer 6

Matt...-I've got good news & bad news for you, and they're BOTH the same news! You're NOT dumb. For YOU, personally- that's GOOD news, because it means you're smart enough to KNOW where you stand academically AND socially- & it means you're going to work hard & do you DARNDEST to make something of yourself. The BAD news is- way TOO MANY people on THIS site AND around you- don't have a CLUE about where they "stand" on ANYTHING, & they will do ANYTHING to avoid having to work hard- AT ALL!!! So compared to THEM- YOU have it made!!! So put your insecurities aside- and keep doing the BEST you can; personally, in school, and in Life in general. Do THAT, and you'll CONTINUE to make the REST of us- look "dumb". :)

Answer 7

your question is alot more clear and readable than alot of questions posted by adults. I dont think you are stupid and marks in the 80's are good! Honours classes arent everything. As for your social problems its totally normal to get nervous and stumble around new people. you will be fine and to answer your question: NO I DONT THINK YOU ARE DUMB

Answer 8

So, you're 15 years old and you are being made to feel inadequate because you're "only" getting B grades? Why does this seem like deja vu? Oh, yeah, that's right! Because that was what high school was like for me ... thirty years ago! Trust me, it might not seem like it now, but this too shall pass.

Answer 9

Considering the way most 15 year olds post questions here, I would say you are lightyears ahead of your peers. Confidence comes with time and experience. It will come to you too.

Answer 10

Yes, you are dumb.
You will never get into college, and you will upset everybody who knows you.

Honestly, you're 15. Everybody is like that then, and you have to remember high school doesn't matter all that much in the long run.