<p>So I take every rigorous course that sophomores at my school can take and unfortunately, it has left me in this honors bubble. I see the same gosh darn people virtually during every period ( with the exception of plane geometry, my 2nd math). "It's alright," you may be thinking. "This is a wonderful opportunity!! You are CONSTANTLY surrounded by so many smart people!!" Yeah, it's alright to be surrounded by a bunch if arrogant suckers who think that everyone is lower than them. I have always been seen as stupid. Perhaps it's because I think outside of the box (words of my teachers who are afraid to directly tell me that I am weird) and I have been REJECTED from oh I don't know, every damn thing I have applied to ( an 8th grade speech course for "gifted" pupils, a magnet school, a science bowl competition, and advanced math classes in middle school, although I am ahead of the majority of my delightful "mates"). These arrogant people don't even give me a chance. They would all be struggling with chemistry ,which is my best subject, and they would automatically disregard my input although I truly know what I am doing. They would assume that I am too stupid for life. I was immediately be shut up or talked over in the middle of a class discussion ;and yes my awesome teachers noticed. So this year I have decided to shut up and be quiet. During group work I would simply not speak or contribute, I would be a lone-wolf. They seemed so ****ed off whenever I contributed nothing, yet they are the ones who shut me up. Then they all go and talk smack about me and how stupid I am. I would be right there; they assume that I do not exist. In class discussions I don't know what to say anymore. I just have all of these things to say, I always have the answers that nobody else has, but I just can't even look up from my desk anymore. My own friends, also in the honors bubble, think I an stupid. I could delve deeper into this garbage but it will not help. What I wanted to ask is 1. How do I build up my confidence? and 2. How do I get my peers to stop calling me stupid? I am sick of it. Even my sister notices that at school I look like I am going to cry/murder someone. But the minute I exit that building, I am the happiest person you've ever met. I don't ever want to attend inline school, I DESPISE the online format. It is absolutely dreadful IMO.</p>
<p>set curves and shut em up</p>
<p>Go win some competitions that should shut them up.</p>
<p>Wow, sounds like me, although I know I’m just all-around stupid. I don’t know what grade you’re in, but it actually shouldn’t be too hard to survive school. You just have to learn your place. </p>
<p>Do a quiet revenge, like setting curves or getting the highest grade in your class. But don’t tell them it was you until the very end when they can’t do anything to sabotage you anymore. Or you know, if you don’t care about your future, you could murder them. Sorry if that was uncomfortable, I don’t understand why people get so flustered when I talk about death. </p>
<p>^@quidditchcat, that’s extreme, killing someone is a horrendous act. You end a life, you remove someone from the world, and you can’t suggest that type of thing IMO. I’m not judging you personally, because we all have our different views and that’s the way you think and you have that right.</p>
<p>All aside, OP, in some regards my friends feel they have the upper hand since they have maybe a point or two edge on me regarding average percent. Though they don’t know I’m self-studying AP’s, getting great progress to a couple of volunteer awards, and studying for my SAT’s. Do some behind the scenes work, and get the upper hand without them having realized it.</p>
<p>The ultimate revenge is sitting there quietly and plotting your future success.
Then, when you’re valedictorian (or even the highest grade in your class), or you go to a phenomenal college and they’re stuck at the state flagship, you can turn around and very maturely say, “HAHAHAA SUCK IT LOSERZ!”</p>
<p>I meant it as a joke. </p>
<p>First, don’t stop participating in class. If they try to talk over you then cut them off and tell them that you were talking. Most people won’t say anything else after that. If you stop participating then people will assume you’re either a mooch/lazy (especially when doing group work) or don’t really understand what’s going on. </p>
<p>If someone directly insults your intelligence then you can either ignore them, and simply ask them what they hoped to accomplish through petty insults. Directly confronting them will usually throw them off guard, and no one will be able to come up with a good reason for being a jerk.</p>
<p>I also find it unlikely that every single kid, in every single one of your classes is arrogant and jerky. You should be able to find a few friends in your classes. I can guarantee there are at least a couple of kids in each of your classes who are nice. You simply need to find them. Please don’t take this to mean I don’t believe you, but I want you to try to find the exceptions to the rule (like yourself). </p>
<p>Don’t go out of your way to help people with their studies, they’re the ones who are going to fail the next test. Also, a lot of groups of friends tease each other. If you haven’t already, point out to your current friends that you don’t really like being called stupid (or whatever they’re saying). If they’re really your friends then they’ll stop.</p>
<p>Also try making friends outside of your classes. Joining clubs and sports is the easiest way to do this. Good luck, and remember not to stoop to their levels. And violence most definitely is not the answer in this situation, so please don’t murder anyone as others have suggested.</p>
<p>As suggested above, do not murder anyone. That won’t get into anywhere but prison. I suggest that you first off start by contributing in class. Not only will this raise your participation and help you understand the material, but you’ll be able to show them how smart you actually are. By sitting and keeping your mouth shut it looks like you don’t care about the class.</p>
<p>I loved @marshmallowpop 's advice of in the end being better than them all. Also @Cornball made a great point advising you to directly confront the people insulting your intelligence because most people will not be able to defend themselves off guard and that it makes you feel better about the situation in the process. </p>
<p>Finding friends outside of the honors bubble like in a sport or club would help you connect with people because of interest rather than a high GPA. Right now I would be considered outside of the bubble to one of my friends from cheerleading; she has seen the same people in the same classes for approximately 4 years now and will continue to have the same classes with them for another 2 years. I think there’s a regular kids bubble too; I’ve seen the same people for the past two years of high school and it’s basically the reason why I am taking 2 AP classes next year and 3 honors classes. </p>
<p>Anyways, if you want to get into a quality college I advise you continue taking rigorous classes and most importantly not caring about what the other people in your class think of you. So what? It’s only 2 years with these people and then you’ll never have to see them again. </p>
<p>@jkpascale16 I’m blushing, really ;)</p>