What kind of learning is this, how can I better accomodate my style of learning, and is it worth it in the end

Question

School has always been a thing I could coast by with. Mostly high Bs, some As. It was of little importance to me. I always had my own "projects" outside of school being conducted. I read Little House on the Prarie and did reports on them in Kindergarten-1st grade, for example. I constructed a portfolio of writing works and managed to get around 25 of them published...but this had absolutely nothing to do with school!

Now I'm in highschool and I'm in classes that are actually challenging me..and it's weird. haha. Anyway, I always have my projects going on and I'm currently learning the basics of quantum physics on my own. I understand the concepts crystal clear on my own...but when trying to sit down and decipher some Algebra II homework? It's over...I can't pinpoint what it is. Saying math simply doesn't hold my interest doesn't cut it, for me, at least.

Is this a learning disability? How can I better accomodate it?

Answer 1

In terms of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, it sounds like you are stronger in verbal/ linguistic and maybe visual/ spatial thinking than logical/mathematical.  In itself that is not a learning disability.  

Some people have extreme difficulty working with numbers, which is called dyscalcula.  If you've been doing OK up to now, it does not sound like you have that.

Also, you point to the fact that you are not interested in the math. That has a big effect too.

When you are learning new math concepts it will probably help you to put them into your own words.  When you do that it will become clearer to you whether you really understand it, and processing it in that way should help you remember, too.  If there is some aspect you don't get, ask your teacher.  There are also some really good online tutorials for math (search for algebra tutorial.  One example is http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/A...

If motivation is a real issue, it may help to set yourself goals, such as a goal to learn a particular amount or work hard on math for a particular amount of time, and reward yourself for meeting them.

Answer 2

I don't mean to sound crass, but instead of studying quantum physics on your own, why not study Algebra II?  We all have our strengths and weaknesses; it does not sound like you have a learning disability.  You have identified your challenges, now maybe you need to spend more time working on them, rather than taking on projects outside of school.