Underachievers

[ironphoenix]

A very good little essay that rang a few bells for me, and might for some of you and/or people you know.

Edit: this too.

Comments

[jagash.livejournal.com]

Fortunately is was blatantly clear that i didn't have much potential so i was spared all of that fun.

[queenie-writes.livejournal.com]

Me too. I was told I would fail no matter what.

[jagash.livejournal.com]

Well, i was told effectively "Yeah, you can read well but your handwriting, math and french are horrid. You can be solidly mediocre". Not quite as depressing as "you will fail regardless", but far from being called gifted.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Any predictions seem to be problems: they constrict people's natural growth in some way.

*takes mental note of how to approach students when teaching in the future: don't make sweeping assessments or predictions*

[m-danson.livejournal.com]

From watching others I have to agree with you. Predictions are a problem ("You will never be able to do X.") while clear consequences are not ("If you can not do X then you will fail this test/grade because it is an essential component.").

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Yeah, kind of an opposite problem. It could be that they were envious of the potential they saw in you, and wanted to break it on account of that.