What does it mean to actually be smart in life?

Question

This term is a bit new, but I was wondering of what constitutes as "life smarts". For instance, I'm in high school right now, and I'm born of a middle to upper middle class family. (I'm not clear on which social class I belong in, but I know that my mom's salary is $100,000+ but not greater than $150,000). I get most of what I want (even though I don't ask for much). I strive hard for the best grades-I'm usually near straight A's (never got below B+ as a final grade), and, ultimately, unlike my classmates, I don't have a part time job b/c I don't need one...yet. (This is because my parents are earning enough to pay off my tuition fees and I'm an only child ;). I know, however, if I enter a pre-professional field like Engineering or premed, I might have to work part time in an institution related to the field if I want to go to good grad school + there might be a required internship...A lot of my classmates believe that being an only child is usually too spoiled (I don't speak up to it, of course, since I don't like to cause trouble) and I have a friend who thinks that I'm too spoiled since I don't participate in as many extracurricular activites nor have a part time job. So, what constitutes being spoiled, unspoiled? Does not having a part time job in high school and college make me spoiled? I think that since I'm only in high school, I'll be unable to actually experience the "real world" since I still have to go to school, but what I mean is that I want to apply my intellect and produce something tangible...that doesen't mean that I seek to be a genius and do high end research just yet (I'm still in high school...;).

Answer 1

hm. i happen to be in the almost situation as you, except the grades, but i try my best. now what you really need to do is just study, you don't demand much because you know when enough is needed. and the thing you should do now is to just finish school and get into a college, and continuing what you are doing, not to waste your parents money. they call you spoiled because you probably are, but the point is that you don't have to work to maintain a sufficient income, but it's not required for you because you have an opportunity that they don't. so just keep on doing what you do and let life roll.

:D

Answer 2

Think about this.  When you want something you know that your parents will provide it. That is fine but it also robs you of the challenge of figuring out a way to get it for yourself

Being an only child you have never had to "share" important things like parental attention or things you consider only belonging to you.

You probably have never had to wear hand me downs.

When you go out to dinner I imagine you order exactly what you want and never look at the price of it.

Life skills are those that are acquired while taking control of your own life.

Sure your parents will provide a great education for you. That is great. I applaud them for that. But do you get an allowance?  What do you do with it?  Have you saved a significant amount of it? Or have you splurged just because you wanted something not because you actually needed it?

When you are patting yourself on the back for all your great grades etc think about what you would do if you had to go to work and then come home and study with other siblings vying for space to do the same thing.

Sure you should seek to be a genius.  Why should that not be true. That sounds like something that would be worthwhile.

Look around you.Find a volunteer venue that you could become interested in. Find out what those people unlike you think and why they act as they do.  Besides when you apply for college that volunteerism just might make the difference between getting into the college you want or not.

I applaud you for thinking like this. It is rare and it is also very special.

Just make sure that you start becoming self sufficient. Never ever count on someone else to provide you with the things you need.  Things can fall apart in an instant and leave you flopping around like a fish on a dock if you don't.  Get as much education into various ways of life so you can at least understand where others are coming from. Will stand you in good stead if you become an MD or lawyer

Answer 3

well-read