This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- I am so stupid
- Severe relationship anxiety
- How to deal with the stress of knowing you're not as smart as you thought you were?
- Feel really insecure
- Dropping out of Oxford University
- Maths at University
- my experience at a grammar sixth form: help
- can i get all As and A*s if i cram gcses?
- Are professors at Coventry University friendly?
- making friends & settling in to life @ hull
- MSc recommendations for Computing?
- Official Heriot-Watt University Applicant Thread for 2024
- Why don't I get romantic addition?
- Should i go into medicine?? HELP
- always revising
- The Official 2025 Heriot-Watt Applicant Thread
- Degree change in my 2nd year. Being competely honest, Is this normal?
- DONT go to Cambridge
- GAMSAT/UCAT as a Busy Professional
- can someone check my psychology work
Not feeling as intelligent as other people...
Hi. This is going to sound quite lame, but I sometimes have this feeling in school that I'm just not intelligent. In my old school (year 7-11), which was just an ordinary school, I felt like I was at least one of those people in the top 25% of the year and my GCSEs were mainly A*-Bs, but this is not really anything to go by as GCSEs don't really test your intelligence, just how much you can cram in during study week 
I guess the main problem is that in class, I feel like I'm not doing as well as others, and when teachers put you on the spot, it's hard to answer and I just get frustrated because they do it to everyone, but for people with more confidence they can just blag their way through those "spot questions".
Somehow my confidence is really low when it comes to me thinking that I will get a decent result and I did miss quite a lot of lessons so that probably doesn't help... I'm going to force myself to go to school even if I'm ill, so I guess that's an improvement...
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like in this school, where even the 'popular' people are really smart, it just kind of makes me feel like... nothing, because I'm not really friendly and I'm not really clever either... so I sort of fade into the background, yeah it's weird.
Back to not feeling so intelligent. I once learnt that people who were classified to be a little unintelligent usually ended up doing badly in their school work, and I'm scared that that's going to happen to me, because I feel that's the impression people get of me, and that's how they're starting to treat me. For example, I know this is looking too far into what someone's saying, but we had these checks on our progress by teachers, and a few of us were brought outside to be tested and checked to see how our progress is going, and when we came back, we walked in one by one and someone makes a comment like 'she did ok', and when it came to me, 'she did rubbish' (in a jokey way), was basically what they said, and I know it's kinda a small thing to dwell on, but it's sort of implanted into everyone's minds that I'm sort of unintelligent or something, even though I don't think I am... I don't know why people think that, but they do have this subconscious hierarchy of intelligence in their minds which they rank everyone in and it affects they way they treat each other. I know I might sound paranoid, but this is a decent school with decently smart people, and some people came from really good schools, which means that they're already quite clever...
I don't know what to do. My confidence has always been low when it comes to studying and how I see myself intellectually. I was even pleased with my GCSE results, which is probably a lot lower than people on TSR, but nevertheless I had always thought I'd done much worse.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else feels like this or anything, advice welcome.
Thanks for listening.
I guess the main problem is that in class, I feel like I'm not doing as well as others, and when teachers put you on the spot, it's hard to answer and I just get frustrated because they do it to everyone, but for people with more confidence they can just blag their way through those "spot questions".
Somehow my confidence is really low when it comes to me thinking that I will get a decent result and I did miss quite a lot of lessons so that probably doesn't help... I'm going to force myself to go to school even if I'm ill, so I guess that's an improvement...
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like in this school, where even the 'popular' people are really smart, it just kind of makes me feel like... nothing, because I'm not really friendly and I'm not really clever either... so I sort of fade into the background, yeah it's weird.
Back to not feeling so intelligent. I once learnt that people who were classified to be a little unintelligent usually ended up doing badly in their school work, and I'm scared that that's going to happen to me, because I feel that's the impression people get of me, and that's how they're starting to treat me. For example, I know this is looking too far into what someone's saying, but we had these checks on our progress by teachers, and a few of us were brought outside to be tested and checked to see how our progress is going, and when we came back, we walked in one by one and someone makes a comment like 'she did ok', and when it came to me, 'she did rubbish' (in a jokey way), was basically what they said, and I know it's kinda a small thing to dwell on, but it's sort of implanted into everyone's minds that I'm sort of unintelligent or something, even though I don't think I am... I don't know why people think that, but they do have this subconscious hierarchy of intelligence in their minds which they rank everyone in and it affects they way they treat each other. I know I might sound paranoid, but this is a decent school with decently smart people, and some people came from really good schools, which means that they're already quite clever...
I don't know what to do. My confidence has always been low when it comes to studying and how I see myself intellectually. I was even pleased with my GCSE results, which is probably a lot lower than people on TSR, but nevertheless I had always thought I'd done much worse.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else feels like this or anything, advice welcome.
Thanks for listening.
Scroll to see replies
TSR is no place to judge the average intelligence, nor by the sounds of things is your school.
People judge intelligence alot on how those 'on-the-spot' moments go, which means that very confident people as you say seem more intelligent as they blag. It sounds like you are in the top 25% of your school, and with those grades far above that nationwide (GCSEs do test a form of intelligence, and although much of it is cramming you can't get top grades just through wrote learning, you have to apply your knowledge).
There's not much anyone on here can say really, perhaps you could talk it over with someone you trust in person? They will be in a position to help you build up your confidence.
People judge intelligence alot on how those 'on-the-spot' moments go, which means that very confident people as you say seem more intelligent as they blag. It sounds like you are in the top 25% of your school, and with those grades far above that nationwide (GCSEs do test a form of intelligence, and although much of it is cramming you can't get top grades just through wrote learning, you have to apply your knowledge).
There's not much anyone on here can say really, perhaps you could talk it over with someone you trust in person? They will be in a position to help you build up your confidence.
pianist
Hi. This is going to sound quite lame, but I sometimes have this feeling in school that I'm just not intelligent. In my old school (year 7-11), which was just an ordinary school, I felt like I was at least one of those people in the top 25% of the year and my GCSEs were mainly A*-Bs, but this is not really anything to go by as GCSEs don't really test your intelligence, just how much you can cram in during study week
I guess the main problem is that in class, I feel like I'm not doing as well as others, and when teachers put you on the spot, it's hard to answer and I just get frustrated because they do it to everyone, but for people with more confidence they can just blag their way through those "spot questions".
Somehow my confidence is really low when it comes to me thinking that I will get a decent result and I did miss quite a lot of lessons so that probably doesn't help... I'm going to force myself to go to school even if I'm ill, so I guess that's an improvement...
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like in this school, where even the 'popular' people are really smart, it just kind of makes me feel like... nothing, because I'm not really friendly and I'm not really clever either... so I sort of fade into the background, yeah it's weird.
Back to not feeling so intelligent. I once learnt that people who were classified to be a little unintelligent usually ended up doing badly in their school work, and I'm scared that that's going to happen to me, because I feel that's the impression people get of me, and that's how they're starting to treat me. For example, I know this is looking too far into what someone's saying, but we had these checks on our progress by teachers, and a few of us were brought outside to be tested and checked to see how our progress is going, and when we came back, we walked in one by one and someone makes a comment like 'she did ok', and when it came to me, 'she did rubbish' (in a jokey way), was basically what they said, and I know it's kinda a small thing to dwell on, but it's sort of implanted into everyone's minds that I'm sort of unintelligent or something, even though I don't think I am... I don't know why people think that, but they do have this subconscious hierarchy of intelligence in their minds which they rank everyone in and it affects they way they treat each other. I know I might sound paranoid, but this is a decent school with decently smart people, and some people came from really good schools, which means that they're already quite clever...
I don't know what to do. My confidence has always been low when it comes to studying and how I see myself intellectually. I was even pleased with my GCSE results, which is probably a lot lower than people on TSR, but nevertheless I had always thought I'd done much worse.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else feels like this or anything, advice welcome.
Thanks for listening.
I guess the main problem is that in class, I feel like I'm not doing as well as others, and when teachers put you on the spot, it's hard to answer and I just get frustrated because they do it to everyone, but for people with more confidence they can just blag their way through those "spot questions".
Somehow my confidence is really low when it comes to me thinking that I will get a decent result and I did miss quite a lot of lessons so that probably doesn't help... I'm going to force myself to go to school even if I'm ill, so I guess that's an improvement...
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like in this school, where even the 'popular' people are really smart, it just kind of makes me feel like... nothing, because I'm not really friendly and I'm not really clever either... so I sort of fade into the background, yeah it's weird.
Back to not feeling so intelligent. I once learnt that people who were classified to be a little unintelligent usually ended up doing badly in their school work, and I'm scared that that's going to happen to me, because I feel that's the impression people get of me, and that's how they're starting to treat me. For example, I know this is looking too far into what someone's saying, but we had these checks on our progress by teachers, and a few of us were brought outside to be tested and checked to see how our progress is going, and when we came back, we walked in one by one and someone makes a comment like 'she did ok', and when it came to me, 'she did rubbish' (in a jokey way), was basically what they said, and I know it's kinda a small thing to dwell on, but it's sort of implanted into everyone's minds that I'm sort of unintelligent or something, even though I don't think I am... I don't know why people think that, but they do have this subconscious hierarchy of intelligence in their minds which they rank everyone in and it affects they way they treat each other. I know I might sound paranoid, but this is a decent school with decently smart people, and some people came from really good schools, which means that they're already quite clever...
I don't know what to do. My confidence has always been low when it comes to studying and how I see myself intellectually. I was even pleased with my GCSE results, which is probably a lot lower than people on TSR, but nevertheless I had always thought I'd done much worse.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else feels like this or anything, advice welcome.
Thanks for listening.
Ive learned to cope, also reminding myself that im human, part of the most intelligent species helps to.
pianist
I guess the main problem is that in class, I feel like I'm not doing as well as others, and when teachers put you on the spot, it's hard to answer and I just get frustrated because they do it to everyone, but for people with more confidence they can just blag their way through those "spot questions". Somehow my confidence is really low when it comes to me thinking that I will get a decent result and I did miss quite a lot of lessons so that probably doesn't help... I'm going to force myself to go to school even if I'm ill, so I guess that's an improvement...
I guess the main problem is that in class, I feel like I'm not doing as well as others, and when teachers put you on the spot, it's hard to answer and I just get frustrated because they do it to everyone, but for people with more confidence they can just blag their way through those "spot questions". Somehow my confidence is really low when it comes to me thinking that I will get a decent result and I did miss quite a lot of lessons so that probably doesn't help... I'm going to force myself to go to school even if I'm ill, so I guess that's an improvement...
You've answered the question yourself. I suppose the key is confidence. You've got to believe in yourself. Try to. Failing to do so, you might want to talk to someone who can help you develop your confidence. Upon reading your post, you strike me as someone with a maturity far beyond her years - you can develop self-confidence by looking at that aspect. It really depends on the gravity of your illness. If you are really ill, there is no point attending the lesson for you will be unable to concentrate. It would be better for you to get some rest in order to get well soon. If you do happen to miss a lesson, arrange something with your teacher so you can catch up
pianist
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like in this school, where even the 'popular' people are really smart, it just kind of makes me feel like... nothing, because I'm not really friendly and I'm not really clever either... so I sort of fade into the background, yeah it's weird.
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like in this school, where even the 'popular' people are really smart, it just kind of makes me feel like... nothing, because I'm not really friendly and I'm not really clever either... so I sort of fade into the background, yeah it's weird.
Fading into the background - if you don't mind me asking, by choice or because the 'smart' people aren't really all that friendly? It's okay to take a step back really. Allows you to 'study' and read into situations better so you learn from them. You don't have to feel inferior or lack confidence because of that. I actually admire people who just fade into the background - to me, they actually stand out .
pianist
I feel that's the impression people get of me, and that's how they're starting to treat me. For example, I know this is looking too far into what someone's saying, but we had these checks on our progress by teachers, and a few of us were brought outside to be tested and checked to see how our progress is going, and when we came back, we walked in one by one and someone makes a comment like 'she did ok', and when it came to me, 'she did rubbish' (in a jokey way), was basically what they said, and I know it's kinda a small thing to dwell on, but it's sort of implanted into everyone's minds that I'm sort of unintelligent or something, even though I don't think I am...
Maybe they said 'she did rubbish' because what they're actually thinking is you did brilliant? In these circumstances, people tend to speak the opposite of what they are thinking. You shouldn't worry too much. And you do need to develop confidence dear
Put less emphasis on what others think of you. Concentrate on what you think of yourself pianist
Thanks for listening.
Thanks for listening.
It was my pleasure
Thankfully (or errm, maybe not) I'm fairly arrogant and egotistical, so tend not to have these problems 
..but don't feel intellectually stunted just because you're not "the best" in what you say is a school full of intelligent people. Comfort yourself with the thought that plenty of people are more stupid than you.. heh. And as said above, you can still be clever but not have the confidence to appear so. I think?
..but don't feel intellectually stunted just because you're not "the best" in what you say is a school full of intelligent people. Comfort yourself with the thought that plenty of people are more stupid than you.. heh. And as said above, you can still be clever but not have the confidence to appear so. I think?Thanks people for some encouraging advice. Yeah I agree the main problem is confidence, but I also need to work harder... Any more advice/ comments are appreciated.
I think it's certainly a question of confidence - in my college surroundings I have no problems regarding intelligence, I'm one of the top in the college and nationally speaking, but when I first started my job and did not seem as sociable as others, as well as undertaking tasks which I did not particularly excel in, I felt self conscious about people perceiving me as less intelligent (especially with silly mistakes I made at work when I started!). I think you should undertake activities you know you excel in, and transfer this to the subjects, and as you gain in confidence, 'spot questions' will become easier - I know from experience, since I used to be a fairly poor oral communicator, but now I can give a fully developed answer to any on the spot question based around something I know due to confidence.
pianist
Thanks people for some encouraging advice. Yeah I agree the main problem is confidence, but I also need to work harder... Any more advice/ comments are appreciated.
Tut tut, whats with the self-bashing? You're doing better than I ever did (and almost everybody at school\college agreed I was intelligent). Dont sell yourself short.
Achieve for you. I know what you mean by the unwritten hierarchy and so on, but try and work above that. Do your best and fulfill your goals. It is difficult but rather than make comparisons with others, compare yourself to you - if you get 60% in a test aim for 70%. This may not be the best result but it would be your best result =0)
You seem like an intelligent individual to me.
Do you have a stutter at all? (Weird question sorry)
You seem like an intelligent individual to me.
Do you have a stutter at all? (Weird question sorry)
jayjayjay
Do you have a stutter at all? (Weird question sorry)
No I don't stutter, but I can see why that would be an issue if I were to communicate verbally.
pianist
No I don't stutter, but I can see why that would be an issue if I were to communicate verbally.
Well I was just wondering if it could be nerves that prevent you from answering on the spot questions. Not a lack of intelligence, rather being afraid that you are in the wrong so you fear going any further?
hey, i know just how you feel! it seems like everyone at my uni is borderline genius and not afraid to shout about it! i went from college, where i finished with the highest marks in my year, to feeling so much stupider than everyone else!
in my halls i'm one of the very few people doing a BA and the general attitude seems to be unless you do a BSc you're a tard! haha, but i just realise that i have a different type of intelligence to these people, i get on fine in life and textbook knowledge is not all that matters. and you know what, even if you're never going to be a genius, there is nothing wrong with being average! (though you sound above average to be honest) and i'm sure there are other areas in your life where you could wipe the floor with these other people (perhaps musically?!)
so keep your chin up chicken, so long as you can spell your own name you're fine
in my halls i'm one of the very few people doing a BA and the general attitude seems to be unless you do a BSc you're a tard! haha, but i just realise that i have a different type of intelligence to these people, i get on fine in life and textbook knowledge is not all that matters. and you know what, even if you're never going to be a genius, there is nothing wrong with being average! (though you sound above average to be honest) and i'm sure there are other areas in your life where you could wipe the floor with these other people (perhaps musically?!)
so keep your chin up chicken, so long as you can spell your own name you're fine
Jayjayjay
Well I was just wondering if it could be nerves that prevent you from answering on the spot questions. Not a lack of intelligence, rather being afraid that you are in the wrong so you fear going any further?
Yeah but I sort of think even if I am really nervous I should be able to answer it if I know the answer. Plus I did get a D and then an E for the tests in one subject
pianist
In my old school (year 7-11), which was just an ordinary school, I felt like I was at least one of those people in the top 25% of the year and my GCSEs were mainly A*-Bs, but this is not really anything to go by as GCSEs don't really test your intelligence, just how much you can cram in during study week
If you were getting A*-B then you're not stupid or anything, I'd say you're of average intelligence.
Related discussions
- I am so stupid
- Severe relationship anxiety
- How to deal with the stress of knowing you're not as smart as you thought you were?
- Feel really insecure
- Dropping out of Oxford University
- Maths at University
- my experience at a grammar sixth form: help
- can i get all As and A*s if i cram gcses?
- Are professors at Coventry University friendly?
- making friends & settling in to life @ hull
- MSc recommendations for Computing?
- Official Heriot-Watt University Applicant Thread for 2024
- Why don't I get romantic addition?
- Should i go into medicine?? HELP
- always revising
- The Official 2025 Heriot-Watt Applicant Thread
- Degree change in my 2nd year. Being competely honest, Is this normal?
- DONT go to Cambridge
- GAMSAT/UCAT as a Busy Professional
- can someone check my psychology work
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 weeks ago
How can I apply for university and get my letters without my parents finding outLast reply 1 month ago
Dealing with and keeping lies to my aggressive parentsLast reply 1 month ago
(Serious) How do I get rid of weird feelings with my boobs and femininity?Last reply 1 month ago
For those of you who have younger cousins or nieces and nephews why do you do this?Fitness
6
8
Last reply 1 month ago
People who claim to wash in 5mins aren’t showering properlyLast reply 1 month ago
2024 has been a horrible year for me overall and I just wanted your thoughtsLast reply 2 months ago
My friend might be getting extra time and i hate it.
