I have a twin, we have the same friends but she’s on a whole, more “popular”, while I do well in school, making me “smarter” (I putting quotations on these bc we don’t all define these words the same way). Which would you rather be? Sometimes I’d rather be the other.
I believe you can be both.Most of the popular people in my school are smart.
That’s very true. I’m talking about the “stereotypical” black and white view. Im glad this black and white view isn’t the case in my high school, but it seems to be that way in a lot of public schools
Smart because popularity means nothing in high school. So what if you’re popular with a group of people who aren’t motivated to do anything positive with their lives? Sounds nerdy, but it bothers me. Sure, some of them will figure out the right path, but until then, it’s a no from me.
Keep in mind that this is only in the hypothetical “black and white” situation you wanted opinions on, not in how the real world is. Plenty of smart people are popular.
It’s not that black and white at my (public) high school, but definitely smart because it actually matters after high school
Popularity isn’t major in my school. I guess you could say the “popular” kids are the kids in sports, and in my school, they are not very smart. I’d rather be smart.
I’d rather be smart.
We have two kinds of “popular” kids at my school: the stereotypical ones, who aren’t very smart and play sports/are cheerleaders (our cheer squad only has like eight people on it because there’s so much scorn thrown on it); and the smart-ish popular Asian girls (have I mentioned my school is 86% Asian + Indian?) who are really pretty and some are really smart and really popular. So, yes, I’d like to be the latter group; but I learned a long time ago that chasing after popularity does nothing to help you. I’d much rather be smart and successful in life, and have a group of friends who I really like (because the drama that goes on in both of those groups is intense).
Most of the so-called “popular” kids in my school are the athletic ones, who so happen to be the school-spirited ones too. The smarter ones are usually more enclosed in their little groups with less school-spirit and few play sports.
As for me, I’d rather be smart. Not to sound cocky but I am smart, but somehow due to my overall smartness in all my classes people talk about me and so I’m popular in the sense that people know me as the “smart kid” but I don’t hang out with the popular kids.
After all, none of these people will even matter once you graduate:)
All the popular kids that I admire are actually really smart and inspiring.
I would say smart, because your intelligence can make you popular with all the right people. I would say I’m popular with my teachers, I’m popular when we have group projects and pick our own members, and I’m popular among other smart people.
I’d saying being smart, in the well-rounded-and-not-totally-a-geek sense, makes people respect you. Ultimately, if many people respect you, you’re popular in a way. You may not get invited to all the coolest parties and not every cute dumb jock will talk to you, but you’re still liked by your peers.
I would rather be smart and a straight up nerd. High school isn’t anything like the movies for me… I’m going to avoid dating girls (and boys lmao) and stick to my books. (I still talk to girls, but dating is so different) Too much distraction… From what I’ve seen, couples’ grades go down as they spend more time adoring each other’s hair, rather than studying for the AP Exam they have the next day 
Popular like always have a boyfriend or girlfriend, 6 pounds of makeup, in dumb classes, and dress like thots?
I’d say smart because less smart/more attractive people may be more popular in high school, but that is just 4 years!! once you’re out of high school, the smarter you are the better your job the more money you make and the more successful you are, and then suddenly everyone wants to be your friend
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I’d honestly rather be neither. As with a lot of things in life, moderation is key. Now, I understand that having some serious smarts (alliteration unintended…) can totally outweigh being popular and can lead to a great future, but in the real world it often comes down to WHO you know, not WHAT you know. Often. Not always, but being popular has its upsides too, and you can’t ignore that.
I am fine being me. Doesn’t matter whether I’m smart, stupid, popular or introverted. 
Smart. Being smart describes a character trait you have, while being popular is simply relative to the situation you surround yourself in. Honestly, being popular matters very little after high school. I rather have a close group of friends that respect me for who I am than be adored by a whole bunch of people that I am unlikely to form close relationships with
I’m shy, so I wouldn’t have liked popularity. This also prevented me from becoming popular.
I also have to add that it’s difficult to answer this question when we don’t have any idea what you mean by smart or popular. Does popular inherently mean dumb? Does being smart mean no free time?
Since the world isn’t as black and white as this question, it’s hard to get a good sense of the two extremes. In most schools, popular and smart are intertwined, so we don’t understand them as two opposite entities.
I don’t mind these completely hypothetical “black and white” questions, but as I’m reading through this thread, I can’t help but notice how everyone is interpreting this differently.
Smart porque I love learning and there is nothing I can do to stop that. That being said, I consider myself to be a tad outspoken and provocative at times… so I feel like my provocative attitude kinda attracts people towards me. But, I have friends and then there are acquaintances… thats how I feel like every month I talk to someone a bit more and then a new month a new person… and others kinda drift away but we are still friends? idk I am weird.
Smart, no doubt about it.
Think about it. Which one will help you in the future?