Simple Definition of smart: very good at learning or thinking about things and shows intelligence or good judgment.
From first grade to sixth grade, I was a straight A student, although it's almost impossible not to be. In junior high I got all A's and B's. I even made the honor roll. When I got to high school, I started struggling more with certain subjects, but I also really exceeded expectations in some. I mainly got B's and occasional C's, but I'm also able to say I got an A in physical education. Now, at college, I am lucky to even earn a B in the classes I think I'm good at.
When it comes to school, I've never been categorized as a smart kid. I'm without a doubt not dumb, but since I didn't graduate in the top ten of my class, I'm not as smart, right? I've never been the "smart friend", the one you ask when you need help on your homework. And honestly, I would probably be cast to play Daphne in Scooby Doo, rather than Velma. Which is fine because I like the color purple better than orange anyway. I haven't scored an A on a math test since sophomore year of high school. Sometimes I don't even attend class due to the fact that I feel worthless just sitting there when I can't comprehend what the teacher is saying. I can't remember the capital of each state unless it's a state that holds importance in my life. I don't know where every continent is geographically because I feel like that knowledge is not directly relevant to me. And I sure as heck don't remember how to find the gravitational force of an object. So, does that make me not smart?
But what really is "smart"? To people of this day and age, I think it means you get good grades. You score well on tests. You're good at studying a textbook. You're good at remembering formulas and getting into advanced classes. But who decided the word "smart" meant understanding how to find the answer to xy2 + 5y7x - 9y? I don't have the answer to that, but I can tell you that person wasn't very smart, in my opinion.
See, I may fail my next math test, or maybe even the next four tests no matter how hard I try to understand it, but that doesn't make me stupid. I'm actually smart about a lot of things, maybe even things you'd consider yourself stupid at. I know a lot about politics. I can tell you the difference in opinions on many issues between all political parties and even how I feel about them. I'm good at being innovative and coming up with ways to make objects work when they are broken. I don't need a complicated formula to do it, either. I'm good at people and understanding how they work. I'm good at talking to people, whether they want me to or not. That's what being smart means to me. Take away school, grades and all the tests you've had to take for a minute. What knowledge are you left with? Because I'm still left with a ton. Doesn't that kind of make me "smart"?
There is not one definition of smart. There is no one definition of ignorance. There is no specific way to measure someone's intelligence. And if there is, I can guarantee you it's not by an ACT score. I'm actually really smart. I may not be the kind of A+ student in school smart, but odds are you're not my kind of common sense smart either. I hate math and I can't tell you a single thing I learned in physics. It's kind of hard for me to catch on when I'm being a taught in a classroom and I can't stand taking the time to do homework. But I'm not stupid and I'm not dumb. I'm smart, just not super "school smart".
Simple Definition of smart: very good at learning or thinking about things and shows intelligence or good judgment
Good at learning what? Good at thinking about what things? Showing intelligence in what subject, if any? Using good judgment in what sense? That's the key, there is no one answer. There is no one specific type of "smart". Whether it's being smart at school, being smart at a trade, or being smart in general about real world decisions, it's all being "smart" in some way right? So, you're smart, but you're no smarter than me. I'm smart, but I'm no smarter than anyone else. Don't confuse the word "smart" with an A+.
"The stupid person thinks they are smart and know everything. The smart person knows they know nothing and still have a lot to learn."
