Dedicating yourself to learning and problem solving is not as simple as just attending school. For some of those who do not fit into the school system very well, they prefer to teach themselves what they want, at the pace they want, and how they want. They become autodidaktikos, which is Greek for “self-taught.” Autodidacts are those who prefer to teach themselves, commonly rejecting the enforced school system and sometimes the optional (though fruitful) school system (K-12 and University, respectively). Choosing the autodidactic path can look different for everyone, but there are some commonalities among those who engage in autodidactic activities. One commonality I already mentioned is rejecting the school system(s). While I do agree that mandating education for children and adolescents is beneficial in most cases, some are better off learning on their own with the guidance of a mix of wise, knowledgeable, and intelligent mentors. I expand more on the education system in...
As a child considered “gifted” and diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, I was a part of the twice-exceptional crowd. I was, and still am, a very intense person. Now, that doesn't mean I am volatile or someone who is necessarily prone to black-and-white thinking. It means I naturally think more profoundly about the world and feel emotions deeper than most. Feeling emotions deeply coupled with a disorder that is often misunderstood can lead to something called “rejection-sensitive dysphoria.” Rejection-sensitive dysphoria is when someone has a strong, negative reaction to criticism, even when the criticism is minor. As a twice-exceptional child, I was very different from my peers academically and socially. Academically, I could not focus long enough to get my homework done, yet I could understand quite complex topics for a child. Socially, I couldn’t understand my peers and their hobbies, but I bonded with adults quite well. Being different led to feeling ...