LaserMistress, To me, understanding stuff and feeling like you understand stuff are separate things.
I have learned stuff at about the same pace my entire life, understood stuff in what feels like a steady, gentle curve that only mildly accelerates with experience.
But I did a 180 turn on feeling like I understand things a few years back.
The difference that has made is incalculable.
And my anger at folks who can't see this difference, who don't understand learned helplessness, is immeasurable.