This is not one of those inspirational columns about how someone who is average can become a little less average.

This is simply about pointing out that one should not always follow the advice they are given.

I say this because I remember the time when at school my career counsellor told me that I was going to become a bit of a waster.

Not one of those cool wasters either who get all the women. But one of those run-of-the-mill wasters that no-one takes any notice of and simply fades into insignificance.

The career counsellor came to this conclusion after looking at my grades and classwork – and the way my school uniform blazer was two sizes too small.

I think the white socks with black pants didn’t do me any favours either.

He advised me to keep my ‘options open’ after the exams and look to do something a little more ‘practical’. Which basically meant, ‘Look son, you ain’t that bright so you should just aim lower.’ I think in those days they were a little more to the point.

This didn’t come as much of a surprise because years earlier I had spent some time in the special class.

The special class or the ‘remedial class’ as it was known was for kids who needed assistance.

I didn’t think I needed that much assistance with anything but the powers that be decided I needed to be in this special class.

Twice a week I was whisked away from the ‘proper’ class and told to sit with some people ‘on my level’.

I have nothing against my fellow remedial classmates, but for once I was the cleverest fellow in the room.

I would sit around twiddling my thumbs for much of the session having worked out many of the sums in double-quick time.

The other kids seemed to think I was a genius of some sort.

Despite my new found fame the teachers still felt that I should stay in the remedial class.

Maybe they wanted to make the numbers up or the other kids needed someone to look up to.

But it did make me realise two things.

Firstly, never to take anyone’s advice too seriously.

And secondly, regardless of what people might say, the coolest people on the planet are to be found in that place called the remedial class.