Thread: am I dumb?

I think I am really dumb. It taked me a really long time to learn things and if I read abook, I wouldn't be able to tell you anything about it, I dont understand what I read. I know VB. it took me over a year to get the basics down. I am going on a year and a half and still cant write anything technical. I have been studying C++ for about 2 weeks, and all I can do it print text. In school, I can sit there in class, pay attention, and then fail a test (w/o studying) but other kids dont have to do homework or study because their test grade is enough to let them pass.

U need just one thing, a swift kick to the ASS my friend - the reason u r taking so long is b/c your not motivated - sit down and read a 1000+ page book on C++ and then read another - I guarantee you'll get it.

Turn off the TV dude, also u know what I just found out is that I am WAY more productive when I don't have access to the internet. Now I unplug the internet jack from my laptop and I am amazed at how much stuff I got done, instead of spending time on this site or checking out other sites I can actually work...

--Lastly, school is about the easiest damn thing in the world - this is the lesson i learned when I was in school and it applies even in college - if u do the homework u r guaranteed a 'B' if not an 'A'. It's all about HW, it counts towards your grade but it also prepares you for quizes and tests. I suspect the reason u r not good in school is b/c u r a lazy person and that is also the same reason u haven't picked up C++ yet.

Don't mean to be harsh but u needed it *** Mod edit *** .

That's quite contradictory because a person having the ability to self-critisize cant be "dumb" in a general sense.

Originally posted by Eibro
Perhaps programming is not your forte?

There is that possibility, or, a more likely one is that you aren't motivated. Set yourself challenges within your scope. I cant stress self discipline enough. [making me quite a hipocrit ]

Worst case scenario: even if you are a little slow, it can quite easily be compensated with a little hardwork. That's how I see it.
Like at school, there really isn't a direct proportion between naturally smart people and high achievers. I have friends that I can tell they are very smart but are addicted to games, and their life revolves around them coughwarcraft3cough. Then there are those who roll clean, [study alot, get a mark between dazzling and dull] and never get the teacher ........ed.

I cant say that for myself, Im dumb as when it comes to humanitarian subjects like english but I seem to find logical subjects like math naturally easy. My point is, natural intelligence is no co-efficient to ones ability. It all depends on the situation at hand.

[btw blondes are dumber haha jk lol]

Not to sound insulting or anything like that, but one possiblity is you could have a mild form of some learning disability. Does your family have any history of things such as dyslexia/attention deficit disorder, brain chemistry imbalances?

summary of important statements:

>Turn off the TV dude

america hasnt heard this statement enough. TV puts your brain in a relaxed state and distracts your senses, so that when you finally get up from TV you feel tired and unfulfilled. try reading instead. i know it sounds cliche, but reading engages more of your mind than television, giving a more satisfying experience.

>Enjoying something makes a huge impact on how quickly you learn it

this is something that may be hard to swallow but you need to come to grips with. if you really dont like it, your mind doesnt consider it important, and facts you learn about it are readily discarded. it may sound cool to be an uber programmer, but its equally as cool to be a famous writer/musician or a successful businessman or a doctor. or maybe computers are your field, but the fickle realm of programming isnt your thing. how about taking electronics or physics for a spin...

>C++ is a hard language to learn

especially at the beginning. it took me a couple weeks to get the basics (very little prior programming experience) but once i got past the initial hump i could create my own basic text programs. there are other humps along the way, and you should be prepared for them.

the first hump is just the language itself. second hump is the more advanced features such as classes and what not. then windows programming and possibly the graphics end of it (openGL, directx) if gaming is what youre going for.

stop reading books and start programming. the more you do it the quicker you will learn (thats from my own experience at least).

>you could have a mild form of ... dyslexia/attention deficit disorder, [or] brain chemistry imbalances

a problem i can relate to. i was diagnosed with ADD at a young age but didnt know it until recently. its answered a lot of questions about the disparity between my potential and what i have accomplished. ive tried to solve it on my own with no medication but so far that has been unsuccessful. maybe you should do a little research on the symptoms and see if perhaps this is whats causing your problem.


and dont feel bad because youre not learning at a supercharged pace. i know i am a smart person but i, myself, feel dumb when trying to learn something like C++ without having any background in it. if its something you really want to do, stick with it. only study when youre wide awake and not distracted. keep your goal in mind: what do you want to do with your programming. and...i dunno... make some flash cards or something. there are 1001 ways to learn, but you have to start with the desire...

I LOVE to program. Only small things, that I can do. I don't usually watch TV. only befre I goto bed for like an hour. My family is all smart, my sister gratuated 8th in her class. I think my worst problem is my comprehenstion (sorry for spelling). I don't understant what I read. Although I understand a book my teacher had in wngligh for hte last 2 weeks (book on tape)

Sure youer not! If your just having some trouble learning C++, that doesnt mean your dumb. You just might need to try harder.