Let’s make a distinction here. Academic success and intelligence are not always the same thing.

In reality, getting straight A’s in school doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the smartest person around and, if you struggled in the classroom, it doesn’t mean you’re any less intelligent.

Being highly intelligent is often about seeing things differently, finding new solutions, and thinking outside the box. Sometimes, the smartest people are those who didn’t shine in traditional education.

Here are 9 signs that you’re highly intelligent, even if your report card said otherwise. Let’s dive into it!

1) Curiosity didn’t kill the cat

We’ve all heard the saying, “curiosity killed the cat”.

But for intelligent people, curiosity is the driving force behind their intellect.

Being highly intelligent often means being highly curious. You’re always questioning, always probing, always seeking answers.

You’re not content with just accepting things as they are; you want to delve deeper and understand why.

This is a trait that can sometimes get lost in traditional education, where there’s often a ‘right’ answer to memorize.

But in life, it’s those who question that often find the most innovative solutions.

If your curiosity often leads you down rabbit holes of information, consider it a sign of your intelligence, even if it didn’t earn you top grades in school.

2) Daydream believer

I remember sitting in the back of the classroom, my mind wandering far away from the equations on the chalkboard.

I was often told off for daydreaming, seen as a sign of a lack of focus.

But here’s the thing: those daydreams weren’t idle fantasies.

They were my mind exploring, testing, creating. Some of my best ideas came from those daydreams.

Science backs this up; a study published in the journal Neuropsychologia found that daydreaming can be a sign of a highly efficient brain. It means your brain has extra capacity to think beyond the task at hand.

If you often find yourself getting lost in your own thoughts, it could be a sign of your high intelligence—even if it didn’t exactly help with your school grades.

3) Night owl habits

While the early bird might catch the worm, it’s often the night owls who are more intelligent.

A study, published in Psychology Today, found a correlation between staying up late and higher IQ scores.

Studies tell us that people with higher IQs are more likely to have values and preferences that just didn’t make sense for our ancestors to embrace.

One of those is staying up late.

It seems that intelligent people are more likely to be nocturnal, preferring to burn the midnight oil rather than rise with the dawn.

It’s not about being lazy or disorganized—instead, it shows that your brain is active and creative.

4) Embracing change

Intelligent people aren’t afraid of change. In fact, they often thrive on it.

They see change as an opportunity to learn, grow, and test their abilities.

While many people find comfort in routine and predictability, highly intelligent individuals are more likely to seek out new experiences and challenges.

They adapt quickly to new situations and aren’t afraid to step outside of their comfort zone.

If you’re someone who gets excited about change rather than fearing it, consider it a sign of your intelligence, even if your unconventional approach didn’t always resonate with the structured environment of school.

5) You’re a bookworm

Did you know that reading for pleasure is a strong indicator of intelligence?

It’s not about reading to pass an exam or to impress others.

It’s about reading because you enjoy it, because you’re curious, and because you love to learn.

Highly intelligent people often have a deep appreciation for literature.

They use books as tools to explore different perspectives, gain new knowledge, and stimulate their minds.

6) Empathy is your second nature

It’s not always about numbers, equations, or scientific facts.

Sometimes, the truest form of intelligence is understanding and connecting with others on a deep emotional level.

Highly intelligent people often have a high degree of empathy.

They can perceive and understand the feelings of others, and this emotional intelligence is as valuable as any other form of intelligence.

If you’re someone who can easily put themselves in someone else’s shoes and feel their joys, their pains, their hopes, and their fears—that’s a beautiful sign of your intelligence.

It’s a trait that school grades can never really measure, but it’s something that makes you uniquely smart in the game of life.

7) A different beat

I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum.

Trying to fit into the conventional boxes set by society, or in this case, the education system, felt stifling.

I found myself questioning norms, challenging accepted beliefs, and often, standing alone with my thoughts.

This might not have won me many gold stars at school, but in hindsight, it’s a common trait among highly intelligent individuals.

They’re not afraid to think differently, to go against the grain.

They have their own views and aren’t afraid to stand by them, even if it means standing alone.

8) Puzzled by puzzles?

Intelligent people often have a knack for solving puzzles and riddles.

It’s not just about the satisfaction of finding the solution; it’s about the process, the mental workout, the challenge.

Puzzles require you to use logic, strategy, and creative thinking—all hallmarks of intelligence.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good at algebra or physics. It means you’re good at problem-solving, at seeing patterns and making connections.

So if you’ve always had a thing for puzzles, crosswords, or brain teasers, count it as a sign of your intelligence.

Even if these problem-solving skills weren’t tested in your school exams.

9) Lifelong learning

Intelligence is not about knowing it all, it’s about the desire to know more.

Highly intelligent people are lifelong learners. They have an insatiable curiosity and a deep passion for learning.

They don’t learn to pass exams or impress others.

They learn because they’re genuinely interested in knowing more about the world around them.

Final thoughts: Intelligence is more than a grade

The measure of intelligence extends far beyond a report card or a test score.

It’s not about the ability to regurgitate facts or solve math problems under timed conditions.

True intelligence lies in curiosity, in questioning norms, in empathy, and in the ability to think independently and creatively.

It’s about the thirst for knowledge and the passion for lifelong learning.

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds in history, once said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”

So, if you didn’t do well at school but resonate with the signs mentioned above, take heart.

You might just be more intelligent than you’ve ever given yourself credit for.

The world needs unconventional thinkers like you!