Why did I struggle so much in high school?

[WWGD]

It says a lot about the education system that we spend billions and billions of dollars on it each year, yet we don't even know how some students succeed while others don't

Actually, in many cases, an increase in funding doesn't result in improved outcomes in terms of grades, graduation rates.

 

[gleem]

So what should I have done differently?

That is not the question you should be asking. Actually, you should not be asking any questions; you should be doing something. Right now, confidence seems to be the biggest problem.

You are not a bad student, It is possible that your class has more excellent students than is normal. Maybe the school was not the best for you. That is all water under the bridge. The question is: should I take a chance and continue my education and see if you were just dealt a bad hand? Enroll in a community college and set a goal. Set up a course of study that you think you can handle. Evaluate your performance after a year. This will also give you an opportunity to determine what else you might be able to pursue even if it isn't your favorite.

 

[Herman Trivilino]

They just said I wasn't smart enough and that not everyone is suitable for academics, which wasn't encouraging for me

Not being smart enough is very different from not being suitable for academics. There are lots of very smart people living happy and satisfying lives, working in trades and other careers. Making lots of money, too.

You asked what you did wrong in K-12. Nothing. Perhaps it was what was done to you. Did you grow up with an adult in your life, a parent or other relative or neighbor, who taught you how to work with your hands using tools?

We have this mindset in our culture that making a living working in the trades means you are somehow weak in the mind. It's just not true. I've worked as a carpenter with lots of very clever people from many different trades. I learned a lot from them. I also learned a lot from my K-12 teachers and my college professors and fellow students. The two are not mutually exclusive.

There are plenty of academics who don't know the first thing about handling tools or equipment.

And others have mentioned other career options as well. Academia is not for everyone. Nor should it be.

 

[CrysPhys]

Are you aware of any disability you may have?

I was tested for learning disabilities, but the psychologist couldn't find anything.

Have you asked the Psychologist their opinion?

They just said I wasn't smart enough and that not everyone is suitable for academics, which wasn't encouraging for me

@randomranger900 . If you do plan to pursue further classroom education, it would probably be worthwhile to first get re-evaluated by appropriate medical and educational specialists to determine whether you have any underlying physical or mental conditions that would impede your progress.

 

[symbolipoint]

CrysPhys responds with this:

@randomranger900 . If you do plan to pursue further classroom education, it would probably be worthwhile to first get re-evaluated by appropriate medical and educational specialists to determine whether you have any underlying physical or mental conditions that would impede your progress.

Just in case, he may choose or find the option that, nothing is wrong with him.

 

[CrysPhys]

Just in case, he may choose or find the option that, nothing is wrong with him.

Yes. The whole point is to determine whether or not there are underlying conditions first, and then decide how best to proceed. Three possible outcomes: (1) no underlying conditions, (2) one or more underlying conditions, all treatable, (3) one or more underlying conditions, at least one non-treatable. You would want to do this before expending time and money enrolling in more courses.

 

[symbolipoint]

An online article which I am losing patience reading but might be interesting for O.P. or anyone suitably interested:

https://whats-your-iq.com/en/articles/career-intelligence/iq-vs-common-sense-which-matters-more

 

[bhobba]

Gee mate, my HS was all over the place, and I never got better than B's and C's (not that I particularly cared). I forged ahead in what interested me: math and its applications to electronics, then computing, and finally physics (especially quantum physics and, to a lesser extent, relativity).

Find the beat of your inner drum; let that drive you, and the rest will take care of itself. I waited a couple of years to mature before going to university, did a degree in applied math (including computing) while working in a nowhere entry-level job (but they paid my university fees and gave me time off). With my inner drum and studies aligned, I was a straight honours student and was headhunted for a job before graduation.

Now I am 71, and in an assisted living facility; you know what I remember of my possibly misspent youth? Going on long walks with my then best friend around Mt Cootha in Brisbane, Australia, and Mt Tamborine in the so-called Scenic Rim near Brisbane. I wonder what those who got all A's in HS remember?

Now is the time to enjoy your youth and discover your passions. The future will take care of itself. B's and C's are good enough to get into a decent university.

Thanks
Bill

 

[randomranger900]

@randomranger900 . If you do plan to pursue further classroom education, it would probably be worthwhile to first get re-evaluated by appropriate medical and educational specialists to determine whether you have any underlying physical or mental conditions that would impede your progress.

They said I have no learning disabilities