How can I be more intellectual?

Question

I`m 17 and I am in all advanced classes and have a 4.0 gpa. I am curious and love learning new skills. However, I often feel that other people my age are more intelligent than I am because they know more about politics, current events, movie stars, and all of that "common knowledge" that I don`t spend too much time with. I take a philosophical approach to life and I contemplate "deeper" things. I want to expand my intellect to its fullest potential. I want to improve my vocabulary and go beyond my normal self. Where do I start? What books should I read? How long should I spend reading each day? I also want to keep sharp on learning new skills. I play clarinet, tennis, etc. What skills can I stimulate my mind with? How can I keep this "stimulation" for the rest of my life?

Answer 1

Try reading the newspaper so you know what is going on in the world, or watch the news. That's what I do so I know what is going on. And try reading philosophy books. I recommend "A critique of religion and Philosophy" it's pretty good and it helps you understand things, I love it. And try looking up words that you say a lot and find out other words for them so you can use them. It will make you sound a bit smarter.

Answer 2

Read all kinds of book books for fun!  Also learn chess.. and get some People mags they really are intresting or Cosmo.... Or Teen Cosmo.... read for about an hour a day or split it up between 30 intervals.

good luck

Answer 3

you need to develop a natural curiosity.

this can be done by doing the things you are really interested in. it doesnt cost a thing. so instead of thinking that you need to know more about current events, ( i am assuming you are not too much interested in them ) you should do what you .. well i am repeating myself.

Answer 4

well if you want to but up to date with current events then watch cnn or some other news shows every day!   about 30 minutes is good if you retain information easy!

for entertainment check blogs and web sites about them!  

if you want to improve vocabulary then really read the dictionary

do that on top of what your already doing and you should be good

to keep this for life never lose site of your personal goal of self improvement!

always try new stuff and don't be afraid to be wrong and s***w up that's that best learning chances you get!

Answer 5

try brain training games, like that one for the Nintendo DS

it helps stimulate the minds tendency to remember things in the long term.

But overall you jsut need to study, usually thigns that interest you and ask alot of questions in school to get the best of your knowlege and go over thigns to make them stick

its just a case of pushing your brain to harder limits, like weightlifting with the mind

Answer 6

If you just want to keep up with current events, I'd suggest the single best source is the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Answer 7

Start with the newspaper and try reading editorial page. Everyday catch the newspaper. Everything is on it.

Answer 8

Read a good newspaper every day.  

Answer 9

Study philosophy, from the historical perspective.

Answer 10

hello seventeen. I assure you, your intelect stems from the thirst to evole. So long as you have first thought of the I AM what I desire to create. then manifest into words then action.

At times when we feel others are most knowledgable we feel inferior. Frett not for just your presents within the communale assemblage merrits your intelect.

In closesing do not whant. Choose to be that wich you desire. For If you whant the Universe will give you exactly that, WANT. So in choosing to live that which you desire, you make manifest that which you are, the greatest most perfect creation. Is there any thing less than perfect  about a snow flake. so Smile and remain humble for the moment is now. WE are not here to learn but to remember (re- member) so breathe in life and have faith in yourself. Especially when you feel most inatiquet

Answer 11

study more goodly in skoo.

You dont have to take classes to learn.  I study all the time... I buy books of my own and surf the net just for the sake of learnage.   Learning channels and university lecture channels on television, too.  And I go to school full time on top of that

I try to learn about the things that dont interest me, too.  For the most well balanced education.

Its better not to focus on one subject and learn a lot about it... you should learn about more subjects, even at the risk of depth in each.  Some people are geniuses on only one subject and couldnt survive if asked any other subject

Above all, dont memorize and spew... Its better to conceptually understand.  Learn application and concept over raw regurgitated intellect.

Answer 12

Answer this question. Do you want to confront life with a flurry of facts and epiphanies, or with solid knowledge and a cohesive awareness that desecribes how life functions in six words and releases you from relying on deities?

Most people are looking for transference and denial, rather than awareness and responsibility. You decide where your heart is.

It is also very useful to be able to see any issue from more than one perspective.