"People definitely have their strengths, but you [really] need to be able to do everything".
Have you ever considered going down a career path only to stop and think "wait - I'm a math and science type of person so I can't do that" or "hmmm... I can't do that. I'm an english/language person."
Well if you said yes, you're not alone. Often we are categorized into specific subjects or rather, we categorize ourselves. But do these categories actually exist? And if they are, are they set in stone? Do the areas you perform well in indicate the areas you belong in?
I'll tell you what: Nope.
Sure, these categories exist -- if you let them. As one friend states:
"I feel like [these categories] have been created and people just put themselves into them"
And another: "You psych yourself out of performing well on things because you say 'I can't do it anyway, because it's not my thing.'"
So you see, it's not really about the subjects themselves. Of course, some areas of academia/information may interest you more than others. This may be a contributing factor is why our grades can vary from subject to subject. However, learning disabilities can also play a key role, or even just challenges with numbers, words, comprehension and more. As a result some assignments may be more of a challenge to complete, or maybe it's that understanding certain topics is more time consuming.
But guess what? It doesn't mean you're bad at them. It doesn't mean you can't be an English teacher if you are dyslexic, and doesn't mean you can't be a doctor if you struggle with dyscalculia.
In reality, you really can do whatever you want to do -- it's just a matter of how much work and dedication to are committed to putting in. Just because something doesn't come 'easy' to you doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue it. Maybe the challenge is more exciting! Remember: You are confined only by the walls you (and the education system) build yourself. So break down those mental barriers because they don't really exist! Can't subjects just be considered information, of which some appeals to you more than other parts?
"In high-school when you memorize things for different subjects - it's not the subject [that matters]. It's really that you're just good at memorizing [stuff]."
Also, remember that different career fields, for example, require more than just a mind full of memorized course material. They require you to be able to perform certain skill sets -- talking to people, calculations, organization, time management, social media, etc. These are skills that you can learn and can always improve upon.
So remember this:
You can do anything you want to do. Break down the barriers and categories that the you (and the world) fit yourself into. Allow yourself to embrace all your talents and strengths and pursue them -- all! Be that chemistry major who speaks spanish and plays piano while running half marathons on the side. Do all the things. Defy the norms of our society in which we live. Be so incredibly you.
