Do you ever feel inadequate?

Do you guys ever feel like you have missed the window of opportunity to become intellectually educated? Whenever I see a young child prodigy I find myself in the midst of dejection-wishing I had done so much more when I was young. My philosophy club teacher was telling us about when he read War and Peace as a child, and the greek philosophy that interested him as he grew. I find like such an idiot sometimes, because I read few masterpieces in my life. It seems like I have already passed the peak time in which I could have studied as a child, learned instruments and language, and become an much more educated person.

I have a friend who is now in college, and me and my brother spent a lot of time with him over the summer. I remember going into his room, and see books sprawled out across the floor. He had all of the harry potter books, the dune books, the lord of the rings books, (of course these aren't ye olde masterpieces, but I consider them modern classics). He is also a genius at the piano, as well as a super-smart, straight A student.

Though I convince myself that I could do it, I find myself staying up late, doing the bare minimum, and wasting time with the television and computer. He barely watches t.v., and I find a lot of the smart kids at my school also don't waste much time with the television. Yet, even without the t.v. I am exceptional at procrastination, and, alas, none of my lofty hopes come true.

Does anyone else have the urge to become well-rounded and educated, yet feel as though they keep preventing themselves from achieving it? Or, feel that they are past their prime in opportunity to do so?

In love,

Diana

 

You don't have to be a good student to be intelligent. There are just some people who are book smart, and then others who are highly intelligent, but mediocre students. That's the way the world turns.

 

I really don't understand this post. Either do it or don't. It doesn't seem like anything is stopping you. If you want to read, go for it. If you don't, then don't complain about it. Don't worry about missing the intellectual boat, plenty of brilliant people don't or didn't take an interest in academia until later in life.

If you consider the Harry Potter, Dune (though I will say they have some merit) or the Lord of the Rings (also, some merit) "modern classics" then I think you should take the initiative and read something by an author doing more than writing thrillers.

 

I think we all feel inadequate at one time or another. We want to be educated and well read, but do we want it badly enough to sit down and read.

It helps to get away to a place where there is no TV and no music playing. I find it very helpful to turn off the cell phone.

 

Cells phones have an off button? LOL

 

Honestly, I find it depressing that a 16 year old is on here worried that they might have already missed the opportunity to be "intellectually educated".

Of the people I've known who fit what you described, I can only think of one who is happy like that. My boyfriend has an insane collection of novels, all of which he's read at least once, including most or all of the Harry Potters, several Dunes (I don't read that style so I don't know how many there are), and everything LOTR. So? It wasn't until he started putting that aside some of the time to make room to socialize that he actually started to be happy. He read so many books because he was fucking miserable and lonely as hell growing up. How is that something to envy?

The only person I've met who is insanely smart, has read an insane number of books, yet seems quite happy is one of my bf's best friends. But, this guy had his PhD in astrophysics before he was 25. He ain't normal! You can't judge yourself against someone like that.

You know what I was doing when I was your age? Sneaking out to go to raves, having sex with my bf at the time, drinking as much as I could without getting busted, etc. After I graduated, I took some time off to go travel around with the Rainbow Family, living in a tent in the woods, smoking pot every day, hardly ever even thinking about anything vaguely intellectual, unless you count pondering the greater significance of the shapes I could make out in the clouds or something equally silly. Now, I'm working on my PhD, have the bookshelves full of scholarly works, classics among the social sciences -- Marx, Weber, Freud, etc., all of which I've read at least most of. Have I totally missed the intellectual boat?

 

I always read a lot, but I do wish I had tried getting musical as a kid. I find now that I have no talent for it, but as a kid it would have come easier.

 

All I have to say is that alot of people pretend to be alot of things.
You will never be happy unless you are you. Your the only person who can change it.
so go read a book make up a mantra or what ever you need to do to make a change
and just do it

 

Sheesh, you're 16. Turn off the tv and computer and pick up a book and study. Sure, maybe you missed the window of getting into Harvard because you haven't gotten an A on every test you've taken since 1st grade, but it's not the end of the world.

If you're a slacker now, you'd better shape up beore you get to college. Just make sure you do well your Jr and Sr year of high school, and you'll be all set.

And remember, highly educated doesn't always mean higly successful. The are plenty of people with MBA's working at Starbucks. Also, some higly educated people have a surprising lack of practical knowledge. You have to go out and live.

You have plenty of time to get yourself on track.

That being said, I know exactly what you mean and how you feel. But luckily for you, you realized this at 16 and not 26 as I did.

It sounds like you lack drive, motivation, and dedication, as I do. I'd suggest finding some way to motivate yourself.

 

Hmmm...I thought I had already replied to this (other than my ridiolus question above ) but aparently not...so here goes.

I don't think you should feel inadequate at all...life is a life-long leaning experience. You can't change the past, but you can learn from what you thought your mistakes were, and you can use that knowledge to shape your future. It's never too late to learn something new. You're young. Go out and explore, figure out what you want to do, then go do it...set goals along the way, achieve them as you go. Look at some colleges and you'll see a wide range of ages, old and young, learning something new. And like other's have said, just because you have a masters, PhD, etc...doesn't mean your going to be happy. Just because you make a lot of money doesn't mean your going to be the happiest person in the world. Just because you have a degree, doesn't necesarily mean you are inteligent. The people that teach me the most are the people I encounter and work with on a daily basis...my parents, my friends, people I work with. Not nexcessarily some teacher, as we've been brought up to think of one.

 

hmm...this makes me want to get off the computer and read a book. I think i will. bye guys.

 

What makes you want to get off the computer and read a book? This whole thread...rememmber, there are plenty of educational things to on the internet, too.

 

Start by reading Fahrenheit 451. Then you'll see what TV and radio and distraction do to you...

 

Hiya

Nope sorry I dont agree at all !! I just got to uni and Im 51 but that doesnt mean all the years between have been wasted. I had to make the most of things because several factors combined meant uni was impossible before now but it was so much what I wanted.

It doesnt have to be academic in the accepted form but we are constantly learning and the fact that you asked this particular question is what I find interesting - but more I cant wait to hear what you have learned from the responses.

I didnt have the opportunity to go to college when I left school at 15 - it was straight into work and I simply had no choice in the matter ( working class, milltown, female etc etc - it just wasnt the done thing at the time ). How lucky you are , not only to have oceans of knowledge at your fingertips but choices too.

Making good choices for your future is whats at stake with whatever you decide now - do you want to get by or to get on. I reckon its worth taking a bit of time to go to college/uni if only to better find what you want - there are so, so many choices. "Take your time, think a lot, think of all the things you got" (Cat Stevens) - life is constantly changing - dont be a victim - be pro-active in your own destiny. Please dont let life just "happen" to you - it can be so rich and rewarding with a bit of forethought, positive thinking and personal application.

I agree with what most people are saying in this thread - a degree or money dont necessarily make you happy but they may help you learn a better lifestyle, not just for this moment in time but for your whole future - choose wisely and please be reassured, it is never too late - as I said earlier I think you asked a very intelligent, thought provoking question which says to me that you havent been wasting time so far.

I hope all your dreams come true-but some of em you have to put a bit of effort into.

Trish

 

I know, I was just joking...I read the newspaper, books, etc...a lot.

Happykoala, I agree...just because it's not what the mainstream accepts as "learning" doesn't mean you're not learning. I try to learn something everyday - regardless of if I am in class or not. I'm only taking one class for now, so that gives me a thought of time to explore and learn about other things - threw work, travel, etc. So just because a person is not in school, doesn't mean they can't learn. Oppurtunities to learn are everywhere.

Happykoala, good luck with your schooling...what are you studying?

 

I can totally relate. I remember feeling so dejected when I read about those 10 year old college graduates. It's like everything I do will always be average. Really, I mostly feel this way about languages. It becomes so much harder to learn a language after early childhood. *sigh* I feel my dreams of becoming fluent in several languages slip away from my grasp. It's quite horrid, really.

 

When I hear about the kids that graduate from college at 10, 12, somewhere in there...the first thing I think of is look at all the experiences they messed out on. I mean, being 10 or 12, if you are in highschool/college...you're not going to really be able to connect to your peers on a social level. I don't know if that makes any since. But I think those kids miss out on soooo much by doing that, and I often wonder if some of them were just pushed by their parents to do it. So when I hear about those kids, I think good for them (I guess), but that's not for me. I wouldn't want to do it like that.

 

you cant base yourself on total nerds and say "i want to not have a life like them so i can become absolutely brilliant". einstein failed school. honestly school just teaches you everything we already know, to change the world you gotta find something new.

 

other people dont discourage me

but, i feel that the more i do learn in school, the more inadequate i feel in a way. i realise how much more this is to know and that humbles me.

 

Three things:

1) There is nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it, you just have to find your strengths and weeknesses and be realistic. Work to your strengths and avoid your weeknesses and take pride in what you're good at. You still need to be realistic though. If you're 6'2 and built like a brink out house the chances of you making it as a jockey (for example) are slim. Combine these realism with a good work ethic and you can go far. Trust me. I know.

2) It doesn't matter what you think you're going to be doing when you're all grown up (you're probably wrong by the way, things will change a lot over the next 5 or 6yrs of your life), if you know that you've given it your best shot and your happy what does it matter what others thing.

2) Do you know what's really depressing? I'm a teacher and took some students on a ski trip. I've never even tried skiing, so while I was skiing like an idiot there were 4 and 5 year olds skiing going past me at (what felt like) 70mph and 13 and 14 year olds looking all fancy on snow board. Thats depressing!!!!!