Zeta at College

[Zeta]

Anyways, here I am at a university in Tennessee with my boyfriend. I'm not quite SURE what I'll major in. I wanted to major in Computer Science to become a programmer, but the CS professors here seem to sneer at programming and prefer to teach/think of software in terms of pure theoretical mathematics. The thing is, I suck at math. I'm good with code, because for some reason I can easily grasp computer commands and concepts like a fish to water. But when it comes to the more mathematical aspects of thinking, I'm bad. Not impossibly bad, more like "C+ student if he really tries" bad. Still, I don't know if I want to major in an area where math is played up as such a vital component.

Aside from computer science, I'm also taking Japanese and loving it. I'm very good at it, but whenever the teacher calls on me I freeze up. It's kind of funny. I'm also having a surprisingly good time in chemical botany.

Finally, I'm in Basic College Algebra. Which is sort of the training wheels I need to understand the basic math courses here. I tried to take calculus on my first day and was totally blown away. Even the biggest idiots in the class knew more than I did.

It was really shocking to see how awful my high school and community college was. I was an above average student, but not spectacular. Generally a "B" kind of guy (except for math which was my achillees heel). The thing is, the required courses at my high school and community college were just awful, apparently. I wasn't required to take chemistry, physics, a foreign language, or anything above pre-Algebra at both my CC and my highschool. Apparently, everyone everywhere else took these things in highschool here. So even though I've got a three year associates degree, most of the time I feel like an old idiot around these tiny little teenagers who took hoardes of AP classes in highschool.

I'm just nervous about not knowing what to do. I come from a ridiculously poor family - I get made fun of for being "trailer trash" around here. My family isn't stupid or lower class. In fact, they were quite wealthy before I was born - but a series of problems (alcoholism and embezzlement) drained my grandparent's small fortune over the last 20 years. So I certainly FEEL middle-class, but I don't really have much in the way of money. I'm paying for this exhorbant tuition with nearly 100K in loans. It's crazy.

I just don't know what I'm capable of or what I would really enjoy doing in a practical sense. But I don't want to waste too much time and money trying to find out.


Anyone else have any advice from past experiences at a university? Anyone going to one right now? Anyone going to one in Tenessee? Share, peoples.

[Delphine]

I wasn't required to take chemistry, physics, a foreign language, or anything above pre-Algebra at both my CC and my highschool.

Are... are you shitting me? Whoa. I had to take all of those in highscool, nevermind college. Wow. Where did you go to school? If I ever change my mind and have kids I want to stay the hell away from <i>that</i> school system.

Being a community college goer pretty much for life at this point, I can't say much for university life, unfortunately. Although I can say that without even meeting them I absolutely <i>hate</i> the kids calling you "trailer trash". Some of us don't have mommy and daddy paying for everything for us, assholes.

[Green Gibbon!]

The only advice I have to give is do not major in Computer Science. It tempts everybody at some point, and the more ignorant among us follow up on the impulse, but unless you're a math genius, it will ass rape you so hard you'll shit out your mouth for months. I was in Computer Science my first year, and as a result I graduated a year late with a barely-above-average GPA. It ruined my life. Don't do it.

[Zeta]

Are... are you shitting me? Whoa. I had to take all of those in highscool, nevermind college. Wow. Where did you go to school? If I ever change my mind and have kids I want to stay the hell away from that school system.

Stay the fuck out of North Carolina, then.

The only advice I have to give is do not major in Computer Science. It tempts everybody at some point, and the more ignorant among us follow up on the impulse, but unless you're a math genius, it will ass rape you so hard you'll shit out your mouth for months. I was in Computer Science my first year, and as a result I graduated a year late with a barely-above-average GPA. It ruined my life. Don't do it.

Fuck, see - now I don't know what to do with my life? I'm anti-social and bad in math.

All of the disciplines that let you interact with humans minimally are math-oriented.

All of the disciplines that downplay math are social-interaction oriented.

Seriously, I wanted to be a programmer since I was 14, but now that I see I'm pretty sure (70%) that I don't have the talent for it, I have no fucking idea what to do with myself. I just don't fucking know! I like writing, but can't force myself to do with it. I like psychology, but everybody says not to take that. I like animals, but I can't be a vet because the sight of blood makes me faint, and operating on animals that die would make me constantly depressed.


I don't know what I want. I like a lot of things, but none of them enough to want to devote my entire life to it.

The only other job I could see myself in that requires minimal people skills and basic math skills is a librarian. And they don't have library sciences here.

WHAT THE FUCK AM I GOING TO DO?!

[Esrever]

The only advice I have to give is do not major in Computer Science. It tempts everybody at some point, and the more ignorant among us follow up on the impulse, but unless you're a math genius, it will ass rape you so hard you'll shit out your mouth for months. I was in Computer Science my first year, and as a result I graduated a year late with a barely-above-average GPA. It ruined my life. Don't do it.

Replace Gibbon with me, and this story is identical to my own experience in Comp Sci. Identical.

[tornadot]

You're public school system must have stunk worse than mine because I came from the worst school in the state and am holding a near perfect GPA right now...though be warned, some of the science classes can be downright sleep inducing...

[Squirrelknight]

I wasn't required to take chemistry, physics, a foreign language, or anything above pre-Algebra at both my CC and my highschool.

Are... are you shitting me? Whoa. I had to take all of those in highscool, nevermind college. Wow. Where did you go to school? If I ever change my mind and have kids I want to stay the hell away from <i>that</i> school system.

Being a community college goer pretty much for life at this point, I can't say much for university life, unfortunately. Although I can say that without even meeting them I absolutely <i>hate</i> the kids calling you "trailer trash". Some of us don't have mommy and daddy paying for everything for us, assholes.

My high school was the same way. Hell, the only math classes I took were in basic Algebra, and they let me graduate with a C- average. I love the American school system ;D. You can pretty much just show up half the time and still get a diploma.

Is there really such a harsh stigma against community colleges where you are, Del? I mean, there's certainly a lack of... er, prestige and class associated with community colleges here, but nothing that harsh. Maybe it's just in California (or my particular area), but people here (well, except for the 4.0 Asians) usually go to a community college to finish their General Education requirements, and then they transfer to a university after those are done, and Financial Aid usually pays for most of it... So going to a CC is pretty much accepted here.

Oh, and Zeta, I'm taking Japanese at my school this semester too. Not because I want to learn the language, but because the class is 80% Asian girls. Then there's 10% of the class that's bishouneny Korean guys. And I think you all know how I feel about Asian girls and Korean bishounen (NT, saranghaeyo!). The other 9% are crazy otaku/nerdy white guys with yellow fever, and then there's me and maybe one or two Mexicans.

So yeah, I don't think I'm going to learn a word of Japanese this semester.

[Zeta]

Oh, and Zeta, I'm taking Japanese at my school this semester too. Not because I want to learn the language, but because the class is 80% Asian girls. Then there's 10% of the class that's bishouneny Korean guys. And I think you all know how I feel about Asian girls and Korean bishounen (NT, saranghaeyo!). The other 9% are crazy otaku/nerdy white guys with yellow fever, and then there's me and maybe one or two Mexicans.

Ironically, there's not a single Asian guy in my class, although the campus is swarming with them. I think like half of the students must be Asian, for some reason. The class is chiefly comprised of 20% chubby otaku, 35% jocks who spent a year in Japan when they were 5 at a military base, 20% crazy fangirls, and 25% people who didn't want to take Spanish or French because they coudn't get the prononciation right.

Anyways, I checked and the school does offer a small degree in Information Sciences. So if I can't pull off calculus, I can always become a librarian.

Or try to get a programming job without a compsci degree, which I've heard is entirely possible.

Apparently, programming doesn't usually require more than college-level algebra, but since the CompSci department on most campuses is a subdivision of the math department, they want to flood computer students with as much math as possible to up attendance in their classes. While calculus I and II can apparently help you become a more thorough software engineer, they generally are useless unless you're doing heavy-duty scientific software creation. It's kind of annoying.

If worse comes to worst, I can get a job at a library and work my way through a technical school. Or keep on retaking calculus till I pass.

[Zeta]

Crap, it looks like the library degree may only be offered to people who already posess degrees in other fields. That doesn't make any fucking sense.

[Delphine]

Is there really such a harsh stigma against community colleges where you are, Del?

Sort of. I get a lot of "Oh, you're going to a <i>community</i> college" from certain types of people, but it's not everyone. It's usually kids going to a 4-year school. Who have mom and dad paying their $40,000 tuition. Which makes me angry.

[Grant]

I love college.

[Delphine]

Zeta, just look through every single degree offered and see if there's one that speaks to you. Talking to people isn't that difficult; it mostly involves pretending you don't wish them a painful fiery death.

[Locit]

Only pretending, mind.

[Zeta]

Zeta, just look through every single degree offered and see if there's one that speaks to you.

Some options we've come up with:

* Anthropology
+ I like ancient cultures.
+ I like history.
- What job could I get with it?

* Botany
+ Plants are cool.
+ Raising plants is relaxing.
- Requires physics and animal biology. Neither of which I want.

* Computer Science
+ I like computers.
+ I like programming.
- I hate math with every fibre of my being.

* History
+ I love history.
+ I can easily remember minute details about history- fictional or real.
+ No math required.
- I don't want to be a history teacher.

* Poltical Science
+ Politics interest me
- They usually just end up making me angry and stressed out

* Psychology
+ Absolutely fascinating
+ I like talking to people one on one in private.
+ No math or biology calsses needed.
- There are lots of psychology majors running around.

* Sociology
+ Interesting, how people act in groups.
- I'm not sure what I could do with the degree.

* Advertising
+ I'm creative, but only really in short bursts - perfect for commercials or ads.
+ I can connect with kids, the primary market for most products
- I don't really know much about the industry.

* Communication Studies
+ It doesn't sound unpleasant.
- Don't know what it is.

* Information Sciences/Library Science
+ I like books
+ I like managing information
- You can only get a Masters, so I need another degree first.

* Social Work
+ Like psychology
- Don't want to deal with crackbabies.



So none of the degrees really seem to speak to me more than the others, which is as frustrating as fuck.

[j-man]

Just a heads-up; I'm familiar with both Communication Studies (Comms) and Advertising. Now I can safely say that Comms is shit, but Advertising is actually quite easy. I've done a fair share of television, radio and print-based adverts for a variety of products and services (all exercises, of course...none of them made me any money) and I did it all knowing nothing before I started. They teach you everything you need to know about focus groups, market research and the like, so if it helps, I really think it's a good path to take if you're creative and can handle the boring research bits.

[Zeta]

Right now, after some intense thought, I've pretty much narrowed it down to Psychology, Sociology, or History. I'll problably still minor in CompSci, simply because I find the technical side interesting and if you don't major in it - you don't have to take the indepth theoretical classes.

Right now, Sociologists apparently mostly work in conjunction with businesses in consultation with marketers and stores to determine what products/styles/positioning of goods would attract people. About 1/3 are Social Workers, 1/3 work in marketing-related jobs, and 1/3 are teachers. Demand for them as marketing consultants is apparently increasing right now, though.

I'm thinking that hopefully by the end of my career, I'll be able to get a job as a museum worker/historian/social analysist/therapist or a light computer tech guy or a librarian.

I'm still not sure if I'd like psych, soc, or history better. I'll try to take the starting clases for those fields next semester and see.

It took me a lot of soul searching for me to realize I can't do a hard science, because I'm not a logical person. I really admire people who have the skills to be completely logical, and for a while I wished/thought I was one. But then I realized I mostly rely on intuition.

Which is why I'm so good at computers, and why I could never major in compsci. I don't work computers by local knowledge, but simply by feeling my way around and intuitively understanding/getting the feel of how a computer language works. While that's a great skill for someone who does light coding as a hobby or ocassional job (like the kind of thing you'd get into with a minor in compsci), it won't fly in a compsci major where you need to document and show how you've reached each conclusion.

I need a career/field of study that relies mostly on memory and intuition and isn't art. That leaves me with history, sociology, and psychology, basically. No matter how many people in other fields seem to sneer at those fields.

Thanks to J-man, I might also have a peek at advertising. Especially if I can overlap that with sociology and psychological resource.

[Adam Adamant]

I've always thought history sounded good. It's interesting and worthiwhlie to learn about the past. Psychology is all about Freud and penises as far as I know. Maybe that's a good thing.

[Zeta]

My boyfriend suggested I try to write a thesis on the Furry Phenomenom for future psych/soc classes.

[Grant]

I suggest History. I recently jumped ship on pursuing the Journalism/Communications degree in lieu of getting an education degree that would allow me to teach high school level History.

The way I figure it, teaching History allows the most freedom to actually teach. Math and science are for silly looking Asians, and English focuses on the boring mechanics of the language. History is basically being a story-teller.

Of course, that's Plan B. Plan A is to join SNL or replace Conan or something.

[Delphine]

English focuses on the boring mechanics of the language

Then you've been taking the wrong English classes.

[Grant]

Maybe your high school had a choice of English classes. I know mine didn't.

[Delphine]

I took five seperate English classes my senior year. So, yeah, my high school had a few choices.

[Baba O'Reily]

My boyfriend suggested I try to write a thesis on the Furry Phenomenom for future psych/soc classes.

A phenomenom you say?

[Squirrelknight]

This is completely off-topic, but did anyone watch the Furry-murder episode of CSI? Hilarious. That's the kind of writing that'll get you an Emmy. It was even better than the episode where a man was murdered by getting hit over the head with a Gamecube.

[Ritz]

"Fur And Loathing"? Yeah, that was the only episode I actually enjoyed.