DR. WALLACE: I relocated with my family across the country to a new school this January. So far, I'm doing pretty well in my classes, but I must admit to feeling a bit intimidated.

I'm in the eighth grade and will be attending high school here in my new area next fall. I've always been a pretty good student, as I've maintained a B average back in my previous home state.

Since I've arrived here, I've really put in a lot of extra effort to make sure I'm studying hard and so far it's working. I'm floating right now between a B and a B plus grade in all of my classes. But there's one thing that does concern me, it's my vocabulary! I noticed that several of the kids who are in my grade here use words that I wasn't always familiar with, but I've looked them up and understand the meanings now and am sprinkling these words into my conversations.

A relative of mine told me that a larger-than-average vocabulary is a sign of intelligence. Does this mean that my more limited vocabulary before arriving here meant that I have been operating with below-average intelligence? — Expanding My Vocabulary, via email.

EXPANDING MY VOCABULARY: Not necessarily, it often means a wider exposure to additional words, such that they can be comfortably used in conversations and many of these students likely learned these words from a particular class or set of classes they attended.

I trust that with your desire to keep up and to take advantage of the learning opportunities in front of you, you'll do just fine. The fact that your vocabulary was not as wide as some of the students you now attend school with in no way indicates that your level of intelligence was subpar in any way. Be proud of yourself and your desire to learn. I trust you'll do very well at your new high school and in your life.

SHE'S BEING LAUGHED AT AND DOESN'T KNOW IT

DR. WALLACE: I'm one of a group of girls who like to get around in a circle during our breaks at school and tell interesting stories and experiences to each other. Most days, somebody will come up with a clever thought or some interesting experiences and share them with the group. One girl in our group, upon hearing a story or comment, will always reply similarly, by uttering the words, "Yes, exactly!"

The first time she made this comment, we all kind of looked at her, but we carried on as if she had said nothing. But after a couple more stories in which she reacted this same way, with the same words, several of us started to laugh. I think this girl misunderstood us and thought we were laughing because she was being humorous or funny. But in reality, we were laughing because we thought her repeated comments of saying, "Yes, exactly!" were dorky and over the top.

I know this girl, but don't know her as well as some of the others do. I'm starting to feel bad for her because she continues to say this, and it draws laughter (at her) every time. Should I just ignore it or be brave enough to say something to her privately? — She Doesn't Understand, via email

SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND: If you are indeed brave enough, you could approach her privately in a one-on-one setting sometime at your school. You could bring up her comment but frame it by saying that the first couple of times you heard it, you thought it was cute and entertaining. But mention to her that unless she is now intentionally using this as a "catchphrase" specifically to draw laughs, it might be worth trying out a new phrase or two to mix things up. Let her know that you respect her and you want the best for her, as you do with all of your friends.

If she were to react negatively to this in any way, just back down and let her know that you sincerely meant no harm. Have another question, comment or topic to bring up to her prepared in advance in case you need to change direction. It's a slippery slope to point something out to someone as you are proposing to do here, but if you wished someone would do it for you if you were in her shoes, then you can sincerely give it a respectful try.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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