Now we all know about the whole left brain, right brain. Left for more analytical, right for more creative. Some individuals have stronger either/or. We all have our strengths and we all have our weaknesses, yet knowing this why do we sometimes have the tendency to rely on a test grade to validate our “smartness”. As if being academically competent gives us or our parents assurance that we are succeeding in life.
While being a scholar and perhaps excelling in convergent intelligence such as logic & mathematics is of high praise and achievement it is not the only source of success.
On a general basis there are 7 intelligences recognized:
1.) Linguistic intelligence
2.) Musical
3.) logical-mathematical
4.) Spatial (visual thinking & awareness)
5.) Bodily-Kinesthetic (physical body movement)
6.) Interpersonal (communication)
7.) Intrapersonal (self-reflection)
These seven intelligences are a mixture of BOTH convergent and divergent intelligences. Meaning that they don't only consist of logic or reasoning skills, but also unconventional knowledge and creativity. Even more so these different intelligences often involve different brain regions, which scientifically speaking means that an individual could be more intelligent or skilled in an area perhaps due to their brain chemistry.
As years pass by society is continuously changing in terms of acceptance and new developments/ ideas. Universities are offering several types of majors and individuals are coming up with new ways to create success with their talents.
There is a reason why we have both sides of our brain, because both are highly crucial. While we do posses both, we may naturally use or express one side more. This is great, because we need logical and analytical individuals to plan and reason, while simultaneously we need creative people to expand and explore. Both individuals are needed in order to create a functioning society.
Long story short, we all have an “intelligence”. While test grades are an important factor for an individuals future, I believe they rather check for hard work and motivation, rather than a determinant of ones intelligence .
Everyone has there own set of skills to provide, and everyone has there own intelligence. The difficult part is finding it. Sometimes we need to explore a bit and broaden our horizons. College is not for everyone, and neither is spontaneous wandering. Some individuals need structure, while others just need a compass. There's no right or wrong. There's just you and what you were born to do.
