Can a relationship work if you're both on very different levels academically?

[Finalcountdown567]

I've historically dated men who have very manual jobs. Think builder, gas man, highway maintenance.
Matched with someone on tinder who is streets above me on an academic level. Think degrees, masters and a PhD. He now has a very successful career in his field in the city... I have an undergraduate degree that has not contributed to my current job. I've always had good jobs but I don't have a career.
The chat between us is really good and he seems very down to earth. He's suggested meeting up and as much as I do want to. I just feel like I'm going to feel inferior to him as intellectually he's way above me.. I consider myself intelligent but not on an academic level.. I was just wondering if anyone else is in a relationship where there are academic differences and how it's worked out.. I will just meet him as its just a date, this is more so for my fear of inferiority than anything else..

I can see where you’re coming from. I felt a bit like this when I met my husband as he seemed more intellectual! Turns out we’re well matched and the conversations are amazing. There’s so many different types of intelligence so be confident in yours and enjoy getting to know him. You are good enough xxx

@caecilius1 But her point encompasses people with LD. Her point is that many people who DO do well academically/reach high levels of qualifications may have only been taught to test well - which is a massive failing in how we assess educational success. This encompasses people with LD - at least back when anyone of our age was at school and there was virtually no SEN support - as the educational system was not/is not wired in their favour, and therefore qualifications are not a signal of how well two individuals may match intellectually.

@Wren44

Academic achievements are often over romanticised. Just about any one can be trained/tutored to within an inch of their lives, to do well academically. However, natural and true intelligence is entirely a different and infinitely different state of being. Some of the most of the most educated people I have bet have no clue about almost Jack shit. Ostensibly, I have met some of the most intelligent and intellectually cognitive people but who had a basic education.

I couldn’t agree more.

Intelligence and intellect don’t necessarily correlate with level of education…

I too can't believe you are even thinking this. As Sarah Bellam posted:
"It doesn’t say anything about who he is as a person. Is he kind? Funny? A good person? Is he attractive to you? "

Dh couldn't afford the bus to be a carpenter apprentice. Now he's a fab Operations manager. He's more quickwitted than anybody else I know. He's a fab boss, says all his young men he trains. He's a fab husband. He's kind and loving, I knew he was a diamond, a good-un, the moment I met him. You're looking at all the wrong things!

Also, it’s totally normal for education level to be on someone’s dating profile in my experience. It’s usually one of the first questions you’re asked when you sign up. Probably because some people like to use that as a search filter and wouldn’t date anyone ‘beneath’ them academically (which I think is sad!)

Probably because some people like to use that as a search filter and wouldn’t date anyone ‘beneath’ them academically (which I think is sad!)

It could be that you're looking for common interests and background though, rather than being judgemental.