School makes me doubt my intelligence.

Hello everyone,

I am currently in 11th grade and am 17 years of age. Ever since I have been attending the 11th grade I have started to doubt my intelligence as well as my abilities. I am aware that grades don't define intelligence per se, but I do often find that I doubt myself, especially when I compare myself to other people (which I know I shouldn't really do).

In comparison to my classmates, I tend to notice that I am slower at almost everything. I take more time to finish work, I often do not understand my teacher's questions and have to ask them to repeat it. I also write the worst grades in class (with the exception of one subject).

I really struggle with logical thinking a lot (mathematics and physics). I study the relevant topics, but then struggle to apply them in the questions. For example, we recently wrote an exam in physics. I did study for it and I seemingly understood everything while studying at home. However, at the day of the exam I did not understand a single question and could not apply my knowledge at all. I wrote my name on the paper and handed it in.

Mathematics is even worse. I am not able to count in my head and have to rely on counting with my hands. Even simple additions such as 17+18 I can not possibly count in my head. Everything that I learn, I forget after 2 days again.

I am aware that mathematics, etc. is not everything. I know that intelligence is not just measured by ones abilities to understand equations and similar things. And I know that one cannot be good at everything, but seeing everyone understand things in 2 days, while I need more than a week to understand a simple topic is not very motivating.

The only subject that I am really good at (actually the best in my class, surprisingly) is English. My English and way of writing might not seem spectacular here, but I am not from an English speaking country, so for my school's standards it is good. But that is all that I am good at. I am otherwise considered the dumb person in class and I feel like giving up on everything.

I am sorry if this does not fit the subreddit, but I felt like it would be good to ask if anyone else has felt like this or has been in a similar situation and how they have overcome these feelings.

Submitted February 17, 2022 at 04:00PM by -SinEater- https://ift.tt/M38kxIc