What I Wish I Knew When I Was a Kid

Source: Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain

Parents, you might want to share this with your school-age child. It’s appropriate for kids from bright first graders through high school.

When I was a kid, most kids didn’t like me, nor did most of my teachers, even though I tested as “gifted.” So I grew up kind of sad. I think I would have been happier if I knew just a few things that I know now. Maybe they might help you—even if you’re not as unhappy as I was.

Point 1: I wish I had known that every time I tried to show I’m smart, I annoyed other kids. So if I were a kid again, I’d raise my hand a little less often. And when talking with kids who weren’t so smart, no, I wouldn’t act dumb, but I’d not show off and I’d make a point of asking them their opinions and compliment them on the things they did well: sports, how they dress, whatever. I'd also watch their faces to see if I've annoyed them. That might teach me to be less annoying in the future. But I’d try to spend as much time with kids who are smart and nice, even if they're not the "in" or "cool" kids. Better to have one or two friends with whom I can be myself than be part of the in-crowd where I have to not be my real self. I’d invite those smart and nice kids to my house and ask my parents if they could come with us on family trips.

Point 2: I was soooh bored in school. Yes, I hear that school may be more interesting now but kids, especially smart kids, tell me it’s still boring—the classes now have a wide range of kids in them and the teachers focus on the slow ones. All I can say is that I wish I had asked my teacher for harder work, not work on top of the regular work, but instead of it. That won’t work with every teacher but it will some of the time. If the teacher gives you that harder work, you’ll learn more, you won't be bored, will impress your teacher, and probably get better grades. Or if school is way too easy, ask your teacher if you might get skipped to the next grade. Or ask your parent to ask. That can work really well, even in terms of your social life. Just hang out with nice and smart kids in that next grade.

Point 3. School taught me to procrastinate, that is, to stall, wait to do hard work until the last minute. I’d wait until the last minute to study for a test or do a big assignment, and because teachers tend to grade easy, I’d get a good grade. So I got in the habit of procrastinating. But as a grown-up, that doesn’t work. Better to avoid developing a habit of procrastinating. So, as soon as you get a big assignment or know a test is coming up, start on it right away. You’ll feel better about it, you’ll be less stressed, and get better grades.

The Takeaway

To summarize:

Avoid showing off, especially with kids who might resent you for that, but, as much as possible, hang out with smart, nice kids.

If you’re bored in school, ask for harder work instead of, not in addition to the regular work, and maybe even ask to get skipped to the next grade.

Get in the habit of getting started on big assignments as soon as you get them. You’ll feel better and do better.

I hope at least one of these ideas will help you enjoy school and life more.

I read this aloud on YouTube.