Today my sister was studying for a multiple choice history test that she will be taking tomorrow. I told her to take a break which prompted her to yell at me something to the extent of "You don't get it! You're smart so it's easier for you". This made me wonder- as IB kids, what do we have that makes us "smart"?
I think that I work hard in school and study enough to get the grade that I want on a test. There are certain skills, like writing, that can't necessarily be studied but have to be developed. I understand some people being naturally better at these skills but what is the definition of "smart" because for me, I just set goals for myself and do what I need to do to achieve them. This is the definition of hard working, not smart.
Any thoughts?
I feel bad that I do things without effort most of the time. I work to my extent (LOL) and if it's too hard I find it very difficult to cope. I haven't challenged myself very much in areas that may matter.
ReplyDeleteThis topic is just like the one from the NPR article in English class, about what is prized in Asian schools vs. American schools. They focus on hard work, and we just prize anyone who is gifted. Maybe it's unhealthy, like Kronzer said, to tell kids that they are smart; we should tell them they are hard workers.