How to increase intelligence

Wigeon · 30/12/2021 21:34

It doesn’t sound like you necessarily have an intelligence problem; it sounds more like you could do with some support in improving your assertiveness/public speaking/speaking fluently. Which are skills and not intelligence.

Is there someone who could act as a mentor or coach for you with these skills? Would someone at your university be able up recommend someone? Or could you approach someone you admire and ask them to mentor you? Or even if you could have a one-off mentoring session?

In terms of your academic ability, could you talk to your supervisor about whether you are operating at the expected level for the stage of PhD you’re at? That might either a) reassure you that there’s nothing wrong, or b) help you pinpoint what you could improve, but specifically. And then ask them for how specifically you can improve that thing.

I also think a lot of people who are very confident and fluent trick other people into assuming that also means they are very clever, when in fact our just…confidences and fluency and bullshit

Wigeon · 30/12/2021 21:35

*in fact it’s just …confidence and fluency

Original poster

Jae132l · 30/12/2021 21:46

Thank you @Wigeon for the reply. That's a really good idea re the mentor. I value my PhD supervisor so I suppose in some way she is my mentor. Although as she is super busy as a professor she doesn't always have a lot of free time.

I think, like you have said it may be more beneficial to ask both of my supervisors to be specific about what area I need to improve in.

I agree with you, I think a lot is down to confidence and 'winging' it when we don't feel as confident.

OP posts:

Hawkins001 · 30/12/2021 21:49

@Jae132l

I am currently doing a PhD but I have imposter syndrome! I feel like I am not 'intelligent' enough. I feel like I am getting to grips somewhat with my field, however when I speak to other academics, they appear a lot more articulate than I am. I sometimes struggle to string together an 'intelligent sentence'. I am now also teaching at the university, which in some ways has increased my confidence, but I also doubt my abilities in the role.

Tonight I have been watching University Challenge, and it has got me thinking, how can I increase my current intellectual levels? And how does one broaden their knowledge. Are there any techniques or tips that anybody has?

For me is first, build the foundations of an educational journal

Put different glossary terms lists, in for different areas you need to know about.

Then lists of key people, inventions, important advances in the respective fields,

Basically building a mini encyclopedia, but tailored, to areas you want to know more about.

Then keep adding to it as you learn more information.

Original poster

Jae132l · 30/12/2021 21:53

@Hawkins001 Thank you. I've been thinking of doing this, as I have lots of information but it's all over the place in different folders in my laptop. Do you find a physical hard copy works well?

OP posts:

Hawkins001 · 30/12/2021 21:59

[quote Jae132l]@Hawkins001 Thank you. I've been thinking of doing this, as I have lots of information but it's all over the place in different folders in my laptop. Do you find a physical hard copy works well?[/quote]
Yes I have my custom hard copy, much easier for carrying and two, never know when I want to write in it or stick in an article or chart in ecr, the main thing is try to add articles as you need them, as at times it's easy to over print information,

onlymyselftoanswerto1 · 05/01/2022 19:55

I could have written this OP. I feel stupid a lot of the time. Alot of times around my peers, but especially around my supervisor. She actually asked my advice on something today and I went into great detail on how I'd go about it and now I'm thinking she'll read the email and wonder what the hell I'm talking about and why she bothered asking lol. I taught some last semester and I loved it - I got on so well with the students and they did well in their assignments, but I don't put that down to me, even though I know some of the credit should go to me!

I know a lot of stuff about random topics, but ask me a question on my subject and I turn into a jabbering mess...

Azpil · 05/01/2022 20:01

Imposter syndrome is what you should address - there’s a lot of resources online about this.

I do very well on most university challenge rounds yet I wouldn’t say I’m particularly intelligent and I couldn’t do a phd! But I have a breadth of knowledge that comes up — also, remember those kids revise like hell!

BerthaBlythe · 05/01/2022 20:19

It can help to learn the definitions of key terms until you’re word perfect. I know that sounds very old school, but really drilling down on the terminology can be what separates the experts from the layperson, particularly if there are words that have a slightly different implication in general usage.

I’m much more fluent in my writing than in speech and as a student I would sometimes practice arguing with myself out loud (in private obviously) to get the hang of it.

Hawkins001 · 05/01/2022 21:51

@onlymyselftoanswerto1

I could have written this OP. I feel stupid a lot of the time. Alot of times around my peers, but especially around my supervisor. She actually asked my advice on something today and I went into great detail on how I'd go about it and now I'm thinking she'll read the email and wonder what the hell I'm talking about and why she bothered asking lol. I taught some last semester and I loved it - I got on so well with the students and they did well in their assignments, but I don't put that down to me, even though I know some of the credit should go to me!

I know a lot of stuff about random topics, but ask me a question on my subject and I turn into a jabbering mess...

I always prefer lots of details, then if i know the specifics that need extracting I can make use of the information where needed

EIIa · 20/01/2022 12:29

Audible books are amazing

I have studied
Monarchy
20th century literature - uk
Japanese history
Chinese history
Empire

Go to audible and Google great courses - the array of courses is vast

Iamnotamermaid · 26/01/2022 08:05

Try podcasts in topics you are interested in. Loads out there right now.
Ted talks are good.

SelkieQualia · 26/01/2022 08:11

Try Toastmasters. If you are going to do a defence of thesis, you will desperately need the skills they teach.

daisyjgrey · 26/01/2022 20:26

I'm doing a PhD and I feel the same way.

I think doctoral study makes you realise how much you know about something very very niche, but how little you know about literally everything else. Someone somewhere has probably got a diagram that illustrates it I imagine!

I am more eloquent in my writing than I am verbally and I struggle to think on my feet in an academic setting, I'm much more of a "submit your questions and I'll get back to you in 2-3 working days when they've percolated" type of person.

If I read and write a lot consistently then my brain starts to work a bit faster but it's not sustainable.

Essentially, the imposter syndrome is very real, and rife at PhD level. I'd love to know the answer, but then again so would everyone else I've spoken to.