advice for the talentless?

Question

im 18, but im in a state where i feel like Im not good at anything. i always thought id be an artist or a writer, but ever since i concentrated on the medical field, taking science courses in the last two years of hs and in college, i lost the passion and talent. My last 'masterpiece' was five years ago. i tried drawing yesterday but i just lost 'it.' im in the science field, and good at it, but i think i have no depth in it. i cant talk about science and even forget what 'deltoid' is and some basic things when i took anatomy...im a cofounder of a literature club, but i find myself left out when they talk about books. im so frustrated being good on the surface of things, but not being REAL good at it. I have no specialty..i get straight As at school, but i have no expertise....I am so frustrated and feel REAL stupid...i need advice from someone.....

Answer 1

Just by reading what you've said, I can tell that you have the intelligence to be an expert at something.

Listen, I'm 18 too (just turned), and luckily I have found what I love. For some people, it takes longer. For others, they never find it. But don't let that keep you from searching anyway.

You're only 18 (I hate it when people say that to me), and you won't be an expert at anything. It takes schooling, practice, passion, etc. You will eventually develop (slowly) depth in a loved subject. You just have to keep at it.

As far as your anatomy class goes, just because you forgot what a deltoid is (I don't even know what that is), doesn't mean that you will never be able to become an expert at it. It takes a long time to learn some things.

I love languages, and I forget words and tenses all the time. That's where the practice comes in. You have to practice to keep up to where you are and how much you know in a field. The schooling comes in to teach you more stuff. The passion comes in to keep you motivated.

Take up writing or drawing again if you really love to do it, but don't just try it once and since you're not as good as you used to be, give up. After a summer of no french/german/whatever, I'm rusty too (I forget how to spell words, conjugate, etc). If you don't love to do it anymore, well people chance and interests change. And that's ok. Follow what you love NOW. Not what you used to love. You're just chasing your tail if you do that; you will never go anywhere.

In short: always remember that it takes time. If you have no expertise now, don't worry, it will happen if you work at it and if you give it the time. Discipline and passion are the key.

Do not give up because that will make you feel worse.

You just have to remember that it takes time

Answer 2

.....OK, here's the classic good advice. Not that it will be easy, but here it is.

You should pursue your passion. If your passion is science and medicine, then give it 110% It will take that, as you know, because there's a lot to learn, knowledge and skills. If you don't really, really care about it, you'll never get that depth you speak of - the level of expertise that will make you successful.

Sure, you can get A's. But if you don't really care deeply about it, later on you'll realize that your work is a drudgery, and you'll be screwed. Half your life invested in something you don't want to go forward with.

On the other hand, art and writing promise virtually no money. Put "poor" in front of artist or writer. Success IS possible, but once again, you have to have a passion for it or you won't do all the hard things it takes to succeed.

Examine your heart. Find out what you care about. Then work to achieve real depth, real expertise. This is the classic good advice. Didn't say it would be easy.

Answer 3

Sit down!

Now listen to me!

It is obvious that you are a very bright young man. But you're only 18 years old. For crying out loud, how can you or anybody else know what you will do with your life?

I'll tell you, I sure didn't at your age.

#1. You aren't stupid.
#2. You don't know what you want to do.
#3. IT DOESN'T MATTER!

You're doing everything right. You are looking at different options. You are trying different things. You are being just what you are.

And that doesn't sound to bad to me.

What you're worried about is the small stuff. While it may seem right now to be enormously important, it isn't.

The important thing, or things, you already have covered. You are thinking, working at different approaches, trying to sort it all out.

You already have won the race.

You just don't know it yet.

But I do.

Answer 4

It sounds to me like you are a very smart, talented person who is just down on yourself right now. You have many talents. To be both artistic and scientific are two amazing qualities that tell me you are very smart and can do anything you set out to do. Just because you've gone into science doesn't mean you have to give up your artistic talent. That should be what you do to destress after all the studying you do. I write and do clay sculptures and there are days and even weeks sometimes when I just can't do anything right. Just keep trying and don't give up what you love to do. Be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished.

Answer 5

I have felt the same way and it is very frustrating. You are bored with medicine. Pursue your passion. You will be happy you did.