<p>What is the socially-appropriate way to respond when this occurs? </p>
<p>For example, I now love orgo to death and randomly scribble drug syntheses when I am bored in another class and now cannot stop thinking about it. Originally getting exam scores like 93/150, one day there was a change of direction and I started getting scores like 142/150.</p>
<p>But some friends complain about how orgo is so hard and how they hate it. It kind of saddens me when one of my favourite subjects now gets flak… is there point to trying to get them to see how they can enjoy it and excel at it? Should I just pretend that I hate orgo too?</p>
<p>No, what you should do is think, “Well, golly gee Marie. It sure is fun have different experiences and thoughts than other people. I’m glad I’m not some darn-okeily-dokeily red ant. Red ants are trash creatures. Everyone knows that.”</p>
<p>You should also then think, “Hello, friends! I see you’re struggling in class. I don’t understand why though; it’s such an easy subject. I suppose that means you’re a red ant! Haha, stupid red ant. I should squish you with Sketchers. That’s right, Sketchers. It’s the S!”</p>
<p>Then you should make no effort to help them with said subject; although it’s a common reaction that many people have when they see someone struggling - but said people are also stupid red ants, and they too should be squished underneath your Sketchers and their little bodies smeared on your professor’s cheeks.</p>
<p>Firstly I realize that not everyone finds every subject easy, and that is completely rational. I also realize different people have different priorities and this particular class may not matter to him/her. I would probably just ask them why they find it hard and give them a few tips which I feel makes my life easier in the subject at hand and then move onto another related topic that doesn’t make me feel really smart, because although I am getting a better grade than the other guy, I don’t really see how it proves I am smarter than him/her, just that I was raised to be more capable at this subject or that I work harder at it than him/her. Although that statement does seem like I can believe that I am smarter than the other guy (and that can often be true), I came to that conclusion rationally and it lends me to try and learn about the students upbringing and past. This allows me to get a better understanding of why the individual may not find the subject as easy as me. A lot of times, this actually allows me to make somewhat of a connection with the person and perhaps I came out of this interaction with a better relationship (or new friendship) than I had experienced with him/her before, which in turn makes me feel more humane than the arrogant prick that I really am deep inside (or at least I believe myself to be, although I’m not really proud of it lol).</p>
<p>I mean my philosophy that everyone’s smart – they just need the opportunity and the encouragement. However I can’t seem to find a way to get people who hate orgo to like it. </p>
<p>I have even discussing how to make MDMA from tyrosine or how to make meth without generating toxic phosphine gas in an effort to convert the druggies, but no. What’s a good strategy for getting your friends to like it?</p>
<p>It’s going to take a lot more than one student in one class to get one’s priorities sorted. Besides, who knows, maybe it’s you who is too obsessed with orgo, ever asked yourself that question?</p>
<p>Honestly, just play along. Remember, just because you do well in the subject doesn’t mean it’s EASY for you; there must have been something that made you get those 93/150 scores.</p>
<p>It’s not your job to “make” anyone like anything. People like different subjects and that’s how life goes. If you can help them in the class, that’s nice of course. </p>
<p>Why does it bother you that other people don’t like what you like? Isn’t it somewhat egocentric? Maybe you should like what THEY like.</p>
<p>Your philosophy that everyone is smart is a fantasy. Sorry. We have the bell curve of intelligence. </p>
<p>What I do in these situations is humbly acknowledge that it is easy for me while trying to help the other person out with their work. I’ll never try to make them like the subject, because that’s a difficult and often fruitless task.</p>
<p>It is important to be extremely humble and simply offer help in a friendly manner. Most likely this person has strengths in areas you have weaknesses, so you might be able to help each other. Acknowledge their strengths and perhaps ask them for help in other areas, while aiding them in “subject X.”</p>
<p>I’m often the same way. I am technically a “genius” (yep, I have the professionally conducted IQ test results to prove it!), and I find college to be a joke. My “friends” often complain to me about how they got a 56% or a 63% on some test, and ask how I did (I usually get 96-98% +), and I lie and say I got a 70% or something even though I “studied a ton” (even though I do not study at all). I enjoy lying and laughing at their stupidity behind their backs. I find it interesting that they struggle with things that I find so easy.</p>
<p>It is entirely possible that you are very smart and other people are not, and they can’t possibly help you with any academic subject. This frequently happens, believe it or not. The whole “strengths and weaknesses” card is overplayed. Some people are just smarter and do better at everything across the board. </p>
<p>However, if you are socially awkward/ugly/etc, you can enlist their social help in exchange for academic help.</p>
<p>It depends…some subjects are just hard if you’re semi-normal socially. I thought chemistry was the hardest thing ever, but everyone else did too, except the kids who dedicated their life and soul to the subject and had no social life whatsoever.</p>
<p>let’s get this clear I always want to be on equal standing with my friends, I’m not some kind of arrogant jerk who gets pleasure out of doing better than everyone else.</p>
<p>usually I have to act really sheepish in some subjects when I have to tell people my scores and other people did badly. I always try to encourage them that they can do it! but they act all demoralised and stuff. I don’t know if it’d look pretentious to say that I think I can boost their scores.</p>
<p>Why is it a problem that your friends don’t like orgo?</p>
<p>If your friends like Byzantine history, or African art, or Plato, or the history of film, or playing the cello, does it matter to them that you may not like these things? If not, then why is it important for them to like what you like? Why are your tastes better or what they should aim to be like?</p>
<p>Personally I think shared academic interests have very little to do with friendship.</p>
<p>Ah, I hate being in that situation! I usually just shrug and say it’s one of my favorite subjects, or act like I spent a lot of time studying. Sometimes I say “wow, I know, it was so hard!” and pretend I’m surprised when I get it back. It is a pain though. But I don’t think people really like being encouraged unless they are looking for help - I think they usually just want to complain unless they straight-up ask for advice.</p>