How do you deal with other kids thinking you're dumb?

Not every class has to be your best class. You will excel at some topics and not other for may reason such as how the material is taught, whether you have a natural inclination towards that topic, or whatever else you have going on in your life (e.g., if you have a really intense class load one semester, maybe your time you can dedicate to a topic that is challenging is less).

But more importantly, your education is your vehicle to do the impactful career you want. No one says, “you should be a doctor because you are good at biology”. They say, “you should be a doctor because you want to help people.”

Engineering should be (and is) the same. You should be an engineer because you want to change the world and impact communities. Not because you are “good” at math based on one class and one score, which really doesn’t tell you if you are good or bad at something, in reality. You need to get through the classes and the touch content to build a foundation to be an engineer and change the world. However, you don’t need to get an A in every class. You get that education to build a foundation to do amazing work impacting society. Impact is not measured by the test score you got in one class. Truth be told, I don’t remember my grades anymore and no one has asked. Glancing through my old transcript, I got a C in programming and I am doing just fine in my career and it has never impacted me.

You are smart enough. You are good enough. Work hard, get that degree and do the career you want. You are working toward a career, not a grade.

Remember that no one is born knowing everything. In fact, we are born knowing nothing and have to learn. Even people who will say mean things to others, have had to learn things at some point. We all have different paths in our lives, learn at different rates, and are exposed to opportunities to learn at different times. Everybody has something they are better than others at, and also has things they can improve on.

It is hard to hear mean words directed at you. But why would someone even ever do that? What do they have to gain? Try to remember it is a reflection of them, and other things they have in their life that are not good. Maybe they have a poor home life, maybe in a different situation they have been picked on. When the mean words are coming to you – they are coming FROM other people and have everything to say about THEM, not you. Try to figure out ways to let it roll off you, bounce back to them, etc., in your mind.

As far as learning, just keep taking classes, reading books, experimenting, trying things, learning off the internet, you will get there! People will come and go from your life, but the knowledge you gain you get to keep. Forever. Remember the tortoise and the hare story? If you are a tortoise, that is okay. You will still get there.

I am excited you want to go into IT. What IT looks like now, will look very different when you get into the workplace. It is a very dynamic field – which keeps it exciting and fun. Keep taking every opportunity to be exposed to any math and computer classes, summer camps, etc. The insight you gain will pay off. Let all your teachers know you are interested in this area, so if opportunities come to them, they could think of you and pass it on to you.

Great question! I had the same situation.

I also didn’t do well in math in high school, and I was asked to drop a class because I was failing. After some tutoring, I learned my learning capability was different from others. I am an auditory learner. In college, I shared my experience with my first math professor, and he told me his method of teaching was different. He taught using a Greek method of math. It clicked with me, and I was solving theorems before I knew it.

My advice is to find out how you learn best by working with a tutor or counselor. Share your needs with your instructors. If they don’t foster your method of learning, reach out to your counselor or parents.

As far as the kids being mean, keep in mind that EVERYONE has insecurities and by making fun of you, they are minimizing their own. Ignore the comments and shoot for what you want regardless of what anyone else says. One day, you’ll be in a grocery store and run into that old math instructor or friend. When they ask you what you do, you proudly tell them you’re rocking IT!

As hard as it is, you need to ignore the comments by other kids. I would focus on what you can control. If you are having trouble with your grades, make sure to ask for help. Don't be afraid asking for help makes you look dumb. You can ask the teacher for extra coaching to make sure you understand the material or ask a friend in the class who can maybe explain it in a different way from the teacher. Also you can look for outside tutoring help. Sometimes you need the material explained in a different way than your teacher is able to explain it for it to click. Also some material does not click as easy as others. When I was in high school, geometry was difficult for me to understand but I didn't have any trouble with the other math classes.

Getting into a field like IT, is not about being the smartest. Dedication to learning the material (no matter how long it takes or how much extra effort you need to put in) is much more important. A lot of classes build upon previous classes so you want to make sure you understand the material to not fall further behind in the next class.

Once you get into the workforce, no one expects you to know everything. You can get very far by knowing who to ask or how to get the answer. I know a lot of IT employees who are constantly Googling how to approach different scenarios. I have built some Excel VBA codes by having minimal knowledge of coding and using Google to help get ideas of how to craft the code to do what I need.

Believe in yourself and block out the comments of others. You may just need to apply a little extra effort and get a different explanation of the material to improve your grades and understand the material.

I am so sorry to hear about the hate you are dealing with at school. That is not okay. No one wants to have these challenges, but I will say that overcoming challenges helps to build resilience and develop a growth mindset. Addressing challenges helps to develop problem solving skills, strengthens our self-confidence and inspires change.

When I entered a college, I was a first-generation college student with limited resources, and I struggled during some of my introduction science courses. The thought crossed my mind that I was not cut out for this, but then my determination kicked in because my parents had sacrificed so much for me to have the opportunity that they didn’t have. I reached out to professors, joined engineering organizations, and formed a study group with classmates. All those actions taught me to keep persisting, to reach out for help when needed and keep a mindset of continually learning.

As an engineer in the energy industry, I have had over 9 different assignment and no problem I have worked on has been the same ; so, the ability to keep learning and adapting has been key to being successful. Best of luck to you and reach out to someone that can help like a teacher.

I am so sorry that you think and feel that way!! I know exactly how you feel! I could not just blend in as I was pulled out of class to spend a portion of my day in the resource room. I have learning disabilities, and for this reason I have extreme difficulties reading and comprehending the written word.

Not only did my classmates think I was dumb I did too!! I do not learn like everyone else does!

It took me a very long time to learn that I have a very special ability to think differently from the way most do. I see things in a different way that allows me to come up with unique perspectives and new ways of doing things. I know it is easy for me to say keep your head up and don't allow your peers' opinions to influence you. It is very easy for me to say that now having lived through it.

So what I will tell you is life gets better, things do get easier, and one day, I don't know when, it will all click into place for you and you will find your way and your people.

I believe in you. Best of luck in your journey creating your future.

I think the key here is "what do you think about yourself"? That's all that really matters - what others think of you is not important. This is tough to hear as a teenager, but it will be so apparent in your future. Different doesn't mean bad - it just means you're unique and that you bring a very important voice to the conversation. It's this difference that brings innovation and great new ideas. Celebrate being different and most importantly, being you!

Do work on getting your math skills better - engage a tutor if need be. Your goal to work in IT is a great one and if you need to improve certain aspects of your knowledge, reach out to get the assistance you need. This sometimes isn't easy either, but I guarantee it will be advantageous in the long run.

That is a great question. I do not have a response to your overall question about hate, but I can respond to the rest. A common piece of advice I give people is to be true to themselves. If you have a passion for math and IT, don’t let someone else’s opinion of your talents be a barrier. You have to acknowledge that it hurts, but then move on and stay true to your path. Some of the best mathematicians learned math in unique ways. Just keep working on it and practicing. Follow your passion.

You are smart enough! You are smart enough to be asking these questions! ou are smart enough to understand that "you can't do the formulas...YET". It's hard to do, but try to ignore others if they are only saying negative things and seek out those who give you constructive advice.

I have been in software engineering (programming) for almost 40 years and have very rarely needed what I learned in geometry or calculus. There are many avenues in IT. Not all require higher mathematics. Just clear and logical thinking. Keep at it. Keep working hard on all your classes in school. The most valuable skill that I learned in school was how to learn a new subject. In IT I've had to continually learn new things: new technologies, new businesses, and new ways of combining things that I thought I already knew. Learning is a skill you never stop needing!

First of all, I hear you and this is not acceptable behavior for anyone to have to endure. Unfortunately, bullying behavior can be a factor of many varied circumstances. Thus this is not an easy question to answer generically.

Understanding and moving through a bullying scenario can be quite difficult and challenging. Some advice which is offered is:

• If possible, privately ask the person why they are bullying
• Ignore the person bullying you
• Tell the bully to "STOP"
• Make a joke or witty response.
• Avoid the locations where bullying takes place
• Stick with friends.
• Report Bullying to an Adult

Many individuals are successful in battling negative energy in their day through self affirmations.

• What do they know? They are only kids themselves. I am SMART and able to PROBLEM SOLVE!
• I solve math problems in my head, that they are still using calculators for.
• I am good enough
• I am smart enough
• I can accomplish anything I set my mind to

Finding and having confidence in yourself and your abilities is something that even adults struggle with. We laugh at older individuals who fart in public, or say something outrageous to societal norms. Yet we admire their tenacity to not care what other individuals think or say about them. I wish I had a better answer than that.

Know yourself! Be proud of your accomplishments! Own your weaknesses and strive to make them an accomplishment! All of these items make you a valuable and productive member of society! Don't let one individual take that away from you.