Ever feel you're not as smart as your peers? (Or feel stupid.) (the best, how to)

[ballstothewall]

As a 16 year old, I have interests but sometimes I have other things that distract me from them, leading me to being inexperienced in those interests. Meanwhile everyone else is much more clear about them, and not just interests but also several different topics. This leads me to believe I should do a ton of research on different topics, but then I get stressed out or my brain gets "fried". Lack of motivation might be the case. I am preparing for college and just got out of a ridiculous situation family related. Big career on the way, hopefully if I produce hard work that pays off, but if I keep walking on the path I'm on right now I will probably get nowhere. Anyone ever feel like a screwup?

[pamelaBeurman]

Maybe it's just that you're 16. You sound far too stressed for someone your age. Chill and enjoy being a kid, it goes faster than you think.

[Charles]

I don't feel I'm not as smart as my peers; I KNOW I am not as smart as my peers.

[Nomadicus]

At 16 I was math smart and English and literature dumb. It all comes out in the wash. Now after many decades some of those with smarts don't have a good life and some of the ones that were considered slow learners are most successful. Go with the flow and enjoy life. You'll be retired before you know what happened. Take some time to smell the roses and don't fret over what your peers think or do. Be your own person.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Nomadicus

after many decades some of those with smarts don't have a good life and some of the ones that were considered slow learners are most successful.

I've heard it said that in my field of work (engineering) the "A" students end up working for the "C" students.

[wit-nit]

Well most of my peers are dead, so am I'm smarter, or maybe just luckier...

[Chatteress]

I was the high school underachiever which later I realized was due to the fact that I wasn't challenged in high school. Once I found my major in college, I began to pull straight A's and continued this trend for the majority of my classes through graduate school. Unfortunately, folks tend to write me off as if I am unintelligent but I've learned to shrug them off. Most of those folks are stuck in dead end jobs or had babies before they were ready. I know it's tough as I do remember those feelings of insecurity in high school especially when I did not have well-defined interests. That came later once I developed more maturity.

[AksarbeN]

I think that you’re giving this more value then needed and getting frustrated with yourself while thinking about it. First, you’re already wise enough to know that you have to prepare for college and study; not every sixteen year old is doing that, congratulations to you. Most important learn “how to learn” and study. Sounds strange but many people don’t know how to study properly. I am one of those sadly.

I was never as smart as my peers all my life however I did do very well for the most part. Remember “a wise man doesn’t know everything but knows where to find the answers”. So don’t get disappointed in yourself for not knowing enough about a specific topic or subject, simply know where and how to find the best information you’ll need on it when it’s necessary to have detailed information. Do keep a good basic understanding of things however, just don’t get buried too far into a subject.

[ballstothewall]

First off, thanks for the replies. However, when I study I feel like I don't understand everything, or I am rushing through it. Or I am reading or listening to information that I may not understand. Most of this problem was that I was homeschooled in middle school, on and off, and terribly, due to circumstances. It's kinda like trying to connect a puzzle with missing pieces, or going from level 2 to 5 in a video game, without the experience you were supposed to get from 3 and 4. I could be overthinking it.

[AksarbeN]

^^ Dead on target,, you did good at connecting the dots!