Why Am I Struggling in School When Others Aren’t?

You’re in class and like most days you feel lost, unable to hang onto the lesson but when you look around your classmates all seem to be understanding. School is a constant struggle for you, no matter how many hours you study. You try to ask questions but often the answers leave you feeling more lost and discouraged and you finish tests feeling like you didn’t know a single answer while your peers talk about how easy they were. You constantly find yourself wondering, why is everyone having such an easier time learning than me?

Different Types of Learners

There is no one size fits all learning. For example, some people need to hear the lesson to learn it, some do best when they can see it visually, others when they do the action being taught. If you find that you are struggling in many different areas in school it may be something that can improve by finding out how you learn. There are a variety of tests online that can help determine what type of learner you are, and going further, these sites often have helpful tips on how you can adjust to fit your learning style. If you’re a reading/writing learner but you have a class where the teacher uses a lecture format you can try writing notes throughout the class period. There are many actions that can be taken to suit your style of learning that may make you more successful in school. The investment in time may make the difference in your learning environment.

Another reason that people struggle in school is from an undiagnosed learning disability. The more we learn about how the human mind works the more we are able to understand and properly diagnose what causes challenges for some. Some of the most common learning disabilities include dyscalculia (difficulty understanding numbers), dyslexia (difficulty with reading and comprehension), ADHD (difficulty with attention and sitting still), and processing deficits (difficulty making sense of sensory information). A doctor can aid in the diagnosis of a learning disability and there is support to assist in learning to work with these in a classroom environment. Having a learning disability is not a barrier to the type of education or career you desire. If you are proactive and utilize the available resources to build a plan of action to best achieve your academic goals.

Strengths and Weaknesses

It seems like there are people who are good at everything. You might feel frustrated and compare yourself, usually only thinking of where you don’t appear to measure up. However, this comparison of your insides with someone else’s outsides isn’t entirely fair because each person has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Some are able to read all the assigned chapters from a book in an hour or two while it takes you all night, but perhaps you’re able to sit down in front of a puzzle and almost intuitively know how it comes together.  As you grow you get a chance to see where your strengths and weaknesses are you can learn how to play towards your strengths.

What do enjoy doing, or what do you most like to do?  Are you good at working with other people? Are you good at making things with your hands? Are you a good cook or good at taking care of others? Remember that there are many paths of education and career that you can choose to follow. There is learning and opportunity that is made for your strengths and there are so many ways to share what is unique and amazing about you with others. 

Choosing Your Own Path

Perhaps your strengths don’t include traditional classroom skills and the idea of 4 or more years in a college sounds taxing and expensive. Feel empowered to choose a different path, and there are many that may suit your learning needs. Vocational schools are an opportunity to take a strength and make it a career. Vocational schools vary in time but can often be completed in two years or less, with the learning focused on the skill being developed. There are schools specializing in everything from auto mechanics to the medical field to culinary arts and many things in between. A learning environment that allows you to pursue something you feel passionate about can help draw focus. Always consider your unique and amazing qualities. 

In addition to any struggles you may face with your learning style or finding your strengths there can be pressure from family and culture to perform well in school or choose a certain educational path. If it’s possible, consider bringing those close to you into the conversation about your education and future and ask for their support in finding what’s best for you. A solid learning plan that suits your needs and challenges can make future education and career goals less daunting.

The schoolroom setting feels different for everyone. Learning about yourself, how you learn, and what you are best at can make it a more positive place to be. You can advocate for yourself and find ways to succeed in school and to choose what is right for you. The support you need to be everything you want is available to you if you reach out for it.

Find your strengths and talents. Call Embark Behavioral Health 1-855-809-0409 today. You can do anything you want to do.