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Rachel Renée Russell

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Dork Diaries Book 14

Dork Diaries

#1 New York Times Bestselling Series

 

Ask Brandon

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Get the BOY side of things!
Dollarless Dork
Salon Brianna

March 21, 2020

MY FRIENDS MAKE FUN OF ME FOR BEING SMART!

Hey Brandon,

My friends are always making fun of me for liking books and being smart. I share facts about successful smart people, but they just keep making fun of me and laughing at me. I act like it doesn’t bother me, but it does. Any advice?

Miss Smarty Pants

What’s Up Miss Smarty Pants,

No offense, by the way. You know, since your name happens to be Miss Smarty Pants and all. Being smart is cool because it means you’ve got some pretty mad skillz. 😀

Anyway, I digress… I’m so sorry your friends don’t get it. What a major bummer.

There’s NOTHING wrong with liking books and being smart. In fact, there’s everything RIGHT about that. Like you point out, smart people are the ones who end up being SUCCESSFUL.

And even if it’s not about going to a good college and having a good job in the future, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying learning and reading. Those things are awesome!

Honestly, I think your friends might be a little jealous. They know that being smart matters, so your smarts might make them feel insecure. They might think your life is easy-peasy (even though you probably work super hard) and that frustrates them when they struggle.

I know it’s hard, but it sounds like you’re doing the right thing. Even if their teasing bothers you, acting like it doesn’t and like they’re being ridiculous is your best option. With THESE friends, anyway.

But you know what? You need some new friends. I’m not saying dump the ones you’ve got. But there’s always room for new ones that treat you better. You deserve friends who GET you! Because the LAST thing you should do is hide your brains or be embarrassed by them!

Seek out friends who are brainy like you and are into the same topics you’re into, whether it’s reading, writing, math, science, or whatever. Artsy/theater kids are not always into that kind of stuff, but they tend to be more tolerant of people being themselves without judgment, so you could try them too. Although online friend groups aren’t the same as in-person friends, you could also try those as well until school starts up again. Just make sure your parents are cool with it.

Hey, your friends don’t have to be into the same things you are, but they shouldn’t act like you’re a weirdo for liking what you like. They’ll get it eventually, and you’ll have the last laugh. Bullying for being smart is the worst in late elementary school and middle school. By high school it happens a lot less, because people are starting to think longer term about college and life after school and realizing the brainy kids have the right idea.

But until then, find the friendship and support you need from like-minded people. You can start here on the Dork Diaries website, where obviously everyone loves books and letting their inner dork shine through!

Do your friends share your interests? If you’re into books and brains, where do you find like-minded people? Tell us in the comments.

Category: Ask Brandon Tags: embarrassment, friendsnikki

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Comments

  1. TalesFromANotSoTeenagerReader says

    April 4, 2020 at 9:16 am

    Why in the world they are just LAUGHING at you and making fun of you is because…. THEY’RE JEALOUS!! Ignore and think about your own stuff, and get some new friends who really CARE!

  2. I NEEED HELP says

    April 4, 2020 at 3:03 am

    Hey Brandon I got a problem well umm my bff Likes my crush they are best friend and she flirts with him every time and I don’t know what to do I feel super hurt but I never say my true feelings because I’m shy and who knows what could happen I really don’t want to lose her but I also don’t want to feel hurt PLEASE HELP IT’S A DISASTER

  3. Shy Beauty says

    April 3, 2020 at 7:35 pm

    I relate to you. I’m a REAL bookworm so I feel you.

  4. Roxy123465 says

    April 3, 2020 at 7:24 pm

    Hey! They don’t deserve you! If they don’t get that you like to be smart and everything then you should get some new friends! I know! This is a very tough decision! But do want to not be made fun of, or do want to be made fun of? You are smart and you could probably have your own business! Smart people are what makes the world stay great, don’t let people tell you otherwise!

  5. Greenhouse academy fan says

    April 2, 2020 at 10:16 pm

    Girl, if they don’t like you for who you are, GET SOME NEW FRIENDS

    • Amazed says

      April 3, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      Ya, same idea! Said that awhile back. Well, like 2 or 3 weeks ago to precise.

  6. tsylRFGEWQYLIRTGULIGRTURGLTUGR says

    April 2, 2020 at 8:39 pm

    im smart too

  7. Sapphire says

    April 2, 2020 at 7:47 pm

    I have been there so many times you’ll get through it trust me
    🙂

  8. ARAR says

    April 2, 2020 at 4:17 pm

    UGH BRANDON U ARE A TOTAL WEIRDO AND A TOTAL DORK

  9. school says

    April 2, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Hey, I really miss my friends right now and it is kinda hard right now because there is a lot going on in life and it has just been really hard for me. Any ideas on how to get my mind of that??

  10. grace rose says

    April 2, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    im smart to i get made fun of for that to its ok

  11. cookies are my fav says

    April 2, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    my friends dont care that i read alot of books

  12. Wow girl says

    April 2, 2020 at 6:22 am

    It ok I am super smart too I am in st4 and I do algebra

    • Professor Bookworm says

      April 4, 2020 at 12:03 am

      Is it weird that I learnt the 9 times tables in K2 and the 3 times tables just before Y1(during the Summer Holiday)?

  13. Dork Princess says

    April 1, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    My intelligence qualified 3rd grade when I was in kinder, but at least I’m not teased. I got Hermione Granger on the Which Character From Harry Potter Are You test. I’m in Ravenclaw, so all in all, I’m also brainy.

    • Professor Bookworm says

      April 4, 2020 at 12:01 am

      Cool, same here.

  14. Dork Princess says

    April 1, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    I’m top in my class. I just get distracted, so I’m kind of like “Miss Smarty Pants”, so I’m like………….

  15. Dork Princess says

    April 1, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    Well, well, well. I’m like that but hide it . Nobody TEASES me, though! (Well, because I skipped kindergarten and everyone’s IMPRESSED…, dunno why…) It’s kinda annoying, though, like school-wide FAME dorkily..

  16. Good advice girl says

    April 1, 2020 at 7:13 am

    Everyone loves being smart right?telll them how you feel if they don’t care get new friends.try to find friends who appreciate the way you are and care about you just like Chloe an zoey!

  17. divne dork says

    March 31, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    Girl, If they are not letting you be you, they are not the right people for you. Find people who let you be you, so you can show your smarts without being embrassed.

    P.S I’m writing a song on this topic.

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