﹟🌈𓏵﹕the struggles of being the "gifted" kid.ˎˊ˗⊹˚

Hello hello! For those who don't know me, my name is Pickle! I grew up surrounded by labels; invisible sticky notes pasted to my skin. "Gifted," "smart," "lucky," "fortunate." These may all seem positive to you, but here's the problem. 

When adults, especially teachers and professors, see a kid labeled like that, they feel like they've struck gold! Next thing you know, that kid is being sent to college campuses at the age of ten.

Again, you may think this is all wonderful! You're so lucky you were born a prodigy! You should be grateful! But what's there to be grateful about when I, at the ripe age of 14, am about take my ACT next month, a test usually taken by high schoolers about to enter college?

I'm not allowed to be silly; when I invite friends over, my parents judge me and say that my friends are too stupid and that I need friends who are intellectual. I don't care if they're smart or stupid! I just want to be friends with nice people!

It's so exhausting having to sit inside studying for my ACT while kids my age are running out and about playing games. Sometimes I wish I wasn't gifted. 

When I was less than a year old I already knew my entire alphabet, and by two, basic addition. I was multiplying by four. And when I was nine I was doing pre-calculus and studying physics!

But this all means nothing. I'm still a kid! My mental capacity is just above average (my IQ being 131), but I'm STILL JUST A KID.

My sister struggled with school as a kid, and my parents let her do whatever she wanted. Now she's a lawyer! Who's to say that I won't be successful if I'm given freedom??

I should be allowed to go outside with my friends! I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE MY FRIENDS! But, no, my friends have to be gifted too, because otherwise I'll be "brainwashed." Same goes for the internet! No phone for me! Test, test, test! Go do math! Grammar!

I urge parents not to do this to their children. Of course you can support your children in their learning. But please, for the love of God, let them be kids.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk :]