S/o how to make myself less exceedingly dumb

[Anonymous]

Do I get an IQ test? Maybe I really am intellectually slow. Often times it’s clear that cognitively I am just operating on a total different wavelength than many people. I got pretty good grades in school but I’m not quick, if you will. It takes me awhile to get things and get what the person is saying/asking. A lot of times I’ll answer a question and five minutes later realize that my answer was definitely not what he/she was looking for. Whereas with a paper or a test I can prepare for it.

[Anonymous]

Read lots of books. I'd start with any that are "must read" (e.g., found on middle/high school reading lists) that you haven't read -- Catcher in the Rye, Number the Stars, Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, Catch-22, The Jungle, Animal Farm, Diary of Anne Frank, Vonnegut, Hemingway, etc...then, depending on what you like, keep reading more of that author/style. I never got into reading the classics and I hated Shakespeare and similar period-type literature, but I loved reading so I read a ton of YA, murder mysteries, biographies, whatever I could get into. it made me a better writer, improved my vocabulary, made me more worldly, and helped me understand various cultural references and riffs, among other benefits. I think it's probably the most straightforward and meaningful way to be "smarter." And cheap; just get a library pass.

[Anonymous]

There is that, but I’m also talking about things like when I learn something new at work, like how to do a task, Im slow to pick up on it. I make a lot of mistakes. I can’t engage in the banter type conversation. Does reading help with that?

[Anonymous]

You probably have some slow processing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is that, but I’m also talking about things like when I learn something new at work, like how to do a task, Im slow to pick up on it. I make a lot of mistakes. I can’t engage in the banter type conversation. Does reading help with that?

I think reading is good "exercise" for the brain, so maybe. But agree with a PP, sounds like slow processing. I'm not sure how you get evaluated for or treat that as an adult. Maybe start with your primary care physician?

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but I feel the same way. I can read very quickly, love it, and understand / remember what I read. But dealing with people and learning new skills-- I have a hard time and feel like I have slow processing speed. Give me a written test and I am fine. Bantering, no go, I can't think fast enough.

For me I think it may be anxiety.

[Anonymous]

I feel this way too. Good test taker, but it's like I just don't think about things or can't grasp them on the same level as smart people. I'm not even smart enough to understand or verbalize where the disconnect is.

It is most evident with movies and tv shows - it is very hard for me to follow a movie plot. Even fairly basic ones I just often can't figure what the hell is going on or why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do I get an IQ test? Maybe I really am intellectually slow. Often times it’s clear that cognitively I am just operating on a total different wavelength than many people. I got pretty good grades in school but I’m not quick, if you will. It takes me awhile to get things and get what the person is saying/asking. A lot of times I’ll answer a question and five minutes later realize that my answer was definitely not what he/she was looking for. Whereas with a paper or a test I can prepare for it.

When you are dealing with co-workers, can you try to ask more questions to make sure that you understand what the person is asking? As a PP said, it sounds as if you may be processing slowly, but perhaps you could spend more time up front trying to make sure you understand what is being asked do that you don't later realized you missed the point?

[Anonymous]

How many posts is OP going to make on this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many posts is OP going to make on this?

Well she does admit to not being very smart...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel this way too. Good test taker, but it's like I just don't think about things or can't grasp them on the same level as smart people. I'm not even smart enough to understand or verbalize where the disconnect is.

It is most evident with movies and tv shows - it is very hard for me to follow a movie plot. Even fairly basic ones I just often can't figure what the hell is going on or why.

OP here. Omg yes!!! Plays and musicals are just the worst for me.