"It’s enjoyable to be around people who love learning as much as you do," Jason says. "It challenges you to do better." -Genius Denied, p. 132 Jason Chu, Davidson Fellow Laureate Student at the Charter School of Wilmington

Questions and Answers   How can I connect with others who think and learn like I do? Your interests and propensity to think and learn differently may make it challenging to connect with other people your age. Let go of worrying about only having friends your own age and branch out. Join local clubs, take community education classes, volunteer, and/or seeking out other organizations where you will meet others who share your interests. Summer programs for gifted students also provide a unique opportunity to meet others who think and learn like you do. Search the Davidson Database for summer programs and other opportunities to meet people with similar interests.   How can I make school less boring? Chances are, you like to learn, but find school assignments repetitive and underchallenging. We suggest that you begin by sharing your concern with your parents. Don’t complain; be factual and offer solutions. Ask them to join you in approaching your teachers. If your parents are unable or unwilling to do so, approach your teachers yourself. Ask them if there is some way you can demonstrate that you have already mastered the material and then suggest an alternate project or assignment that would be a better fit for you. Remember the three P’s – positive, persistent and proactive. There is nothing wrong with taking responsibility for your learning.   How do I find a mentor? The first step in finding a mentor is to evaluate what you hope to gain from a mentoring experience. The most productive mentoring relationships are those that are focused on a specific outcome, such as the completion of a project. Once you know what you want to learn, put together a query package that contains a short biography, a description of the project you wish to pursue and a summary of what you already know about the particular topic. Next, create a list of knowledgeable individuals. Universities and colleges are a good place to start, as are museums and science centers. Don’t forget about local businesses, retired professionals, and high school teachers. Tele-mentoring is another option you may want to consider.  The National Mentoring Partnership may be a useful resource.   Do you have a question?  If so, Ask Us. We will periodically update this page with questions we receive from you answered by the team of experts at the Davidson Institute for Talent Development.

What You Can Do!  Recommended Readings  Search the Davidson Database