Spell Slots and Spoon Theory

Nah, spell slots are just fine Yeah it's limiting in the early levels but you're supposed to be limited in early levels, and being smart about

Essentially, your higher-level spell slots can be used to cast any spell of a level equal or lower than their level Thus, your 3rd level spell slot will be

spell slot counter You cannot cast Counterspell using a 1st or 2nd level spell slot, because it's a 3rd level spell What it's talking about is the spell you are *countering * In

spell slot spell slots you have to cast your wizard spells of 1st level and higher To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher