Thanks unaluna, I guess we never know how others see us.

I'm not sure is I don't have some undiagnosed learning issue, my husband has (very kindly) observed it does seem to take longer for me to take things on board and learn them. In some ways online is easier for me because I have that time to compose my thoughts. I have no idea what that would indicate.

I think my friend was trying to tell me he thinks I could aim higher than the level I work at, but I'm not so sure.