I find school subjects really hard, my teachers think I don't try but I do, how can I become cleverer?

We all learn at different rates and for some people, learning is much easier or harder than for others.

The class genius may get all the praise and no doubt works hard, but it has been proven that some of us have more natural ability than others.

If you are trying hard then that is all that should be expected of you - it may be worth getting a parent to have a quiet word with your teachers to explain that you are trying hard but simply find it more difficult than others so they know that it is not through lack of effort.

If you find things like reading and spelling difficult it would be worth having a check for dyslexia and there are also a range of other learning difficulties that it might be worth being tested for in order to rule those out as a source of your difficulties learning - have a word with your parents about these and see what they think on the matter.

There is no shame in being a little slower academically than others.

Try your best and no-one will expect any more.