How To Survive When You're No Longer Talented And Gifted
To all those who once were told when they were young that they were talented and gifted, but no longer feel that way.
When I was in elementary school, I distinctly remember the day when I was told that I had tested out of my age group in different subjects and would be placed in what was commonly referred to as TAG classes. TAG stood for "Talented and Gifted." While that is all well and good, telling a seven-year-old that they are special is a double-edged sword. The first drawback is that it gives them an inflated sense of self and a superiority complex. Seven-year-olds who think they are the coolest thing since sliced bread? Not fun. The other side, however, is that it gives people something to be proud of and cling to when things get hard. It did all these things for me.
All through elementary school, I went to special classes with a group of kids as equally "special" like me. We were usually either really good readers, really good at math or a combination of both. I was in the reading group. When I took comprehension tests they said I could read at the level of a college student which, at the time, felt pretty cool. However, now that I am in college, it feels a little less impressive. College students are by no means great at reading. We suck but you do what you got to do when your professor assigns eighty pages a night.
College is a reality check for a lot of people for many reasons. There were the people who had never really left home before and became terribly homesick until they figured out how to manage their own schedules. Others began to experience more adult activities and had to learn for the first time how to take care of themselves. For me, my reality check looked a little different. It came in the form of a C- on my first paper. I was in shock.
There must have been a mistake; the professor just probably mixed up my papers with someone else's. There was no way that I, the person who had never gotten less than an A on a writing assignment ever was now getting a C. It blew my mind. Maybe I wasn't as good of a writer as had always thought. Maybe it was just a case in highschool of the big fish little pond and I actually was not talented. My first term of college I didn't get A's I didn't even get B's, I got C's. As long as I could remember my identity had been tied up with m intelligence. I was always the smart girl in classes. The person who people wanted to work with for group projects. If I wasn't smart anymore, what was I? Who was I?
It took me a long time to realize that my feelings of anxiousness and doubt were not exclusive to me. I would talk with friends about how hard it was to study and focus on school when all I wanted to do was to have fun. I would complain that I never had to study before in high school and I didn't know why that wasn't the case now. It wasn't until one of my friends made the comment that she had read somewhere in a psych book that "children with higher IQ's must be heavily stimulated and keep growing it farther or else they are prone to falling off the curve and developing anxiety and depression." Hearing that gave me such a reaffirming feeling that I was not the only one feeling this way.
I realized that I had always done my best to fit the mold that had been given to me at seven years old. Within my TAG classes, there was the expectation that because we were all smart, there was no need for studying. We were better than that, so we never learned proper habits for learning. When teachers would tell us to write multiple drafts and we would get an A without editing once it reinforced that mindset. So I realized that I had to go back to the beginning. I had to relearn how to be a good student.
It wasn't easy. To tell the truth, it really sucked. But what I can say, with no doubt, is that it is worth it. I have become a better student and you will too, I promise. There is a quote from one of my favorite movies "The Help" that says "you is kind, you is smart, you is important." I encourage all people who are struggling with not feeling special anymore to remember that. Your circumstances do not define you; they can shape you and mold you, but you have the final say on how things end up. They might not call you talented and gifted anymore, but so what? Just be you, and remember that there is a reason why the game TAG is for children.
After Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, Here Are 5 Books You Have To Read During Your Winter Break
We all know reading next to the Christmas tree is a vibe.
Reading next to my Christmas tree is one of my favorite things to do over winter break. Even though none of the books I read have anything to do with the holiday season, it still manages to get me into the holiday spirit. It's relaxing and honestly, it's a vibe—it's story and VSCO worthy. If you're a bookworm and tired of the Christmas Carol, check out these 5 books that have nothing to do with Christmas, but are still an interesting read.
1. "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders.
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So, "Lincoln in the Bardo" has very little to do with this Bill and Ted gif— it's a #1 "New York Times" bestseller. Despite the title, the novel isn't about Lincoln. George Saunder's Contemporary American novel has a crazy cool format that may seem annoying at first but actually helps the reader understand Saunder's concept of life, death, and the ~in between~. It's about humans' perception of life and how we manage to fudge it up. It's way existential. The novel also has very relevant social commentaries, so if you're trying to read more "recent, popular, hip" books, then read this one.
2. "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.
I will always recommend Stephen Chbosky's "Perks of Being a Wallflower." Chbosky's Young Adult novel made me want to be a writer. Whenever I read it, I feel all the feels, especially "infinite" (if you don't understand the significance of "infinite," do yourself a favor and download it right now). It's a quick read and the characters also celebrate Christmas at one point, so why not?
3. "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman.
I am currently in the process of reading this "New York Times"Bestseller and I. am. LOVING. it. If you've watched the show, read it. If you haven't watched the show, read it. This book is large so if you want to read a quality, thi(cc)k novel this winter break, check it out.
4. "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.
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You've most likely seen the movie, but the book is way better. The characters are alive, loving, and downright entertaining. The novel is powerful, and yes, at points it is heartbreaking, but it is an important read. It may seem like the plot is only relevant for the time period it takes place in, but its overall message transcends time. Kathryn Stockett's fiction novel, "The Help," will always remain relevant and is always an amazing read.
5. "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk.
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A VERY DARK NOVEL TO READ AROUND CHRISTMAS BUT IT IS AMAZING. If you like books that make you stop and think, "what the hell" then this bad boy is for you. You've probably seen the movie, but the book is more of a psychological mind-screw. Yes, that is possible, and yes, you should read it next to a beautiful Christmas tree. Tis the season, am I right?
So while you're snuggled and drinking hot cocoa around the Christmas tree, pick up a book. Preferably, one of these books. They have nothing to do with Christmas, but they are truly spectacular.