throb919: Oh great, Monstro, just what we need: another thread on self-didacticism! (Yeah, yeah...can...used to...youthful exuberance...not as limber...yada-yada-yada...)
Educational Attainment
- Thread starter MisterMark
- Start date
7x6andchg: That's funny I always sort of enjoy didacticizing myself.... 
Such as making sure I knew the meaning of that word before posting...
7x6&C
Such as making sure I knew the meaning of that word before posting...7x6&C
Longhornjok: [quote author=sammygirly link=board=99;num=1060927569;start=0#16 date=08/17/03 at 08:44:08]I wish i could kinda take an SAT...LoL.[/quote]
Sammygirly, I am pretty sure you can "kinda" take a sample SAT test here... www.princetonreview.com/ - have fun with those analogies!
Sammygirly, I am pretty sure you can "kinda" take a sample SAT test here... www.princetonreview.com/ - have fun with those analogies!
I have half of my doctorate. Now, all of you wonder why stopping when half completed! There are a couple of reasons. I had advanced in my occupation to the 'top'
and the additional degree would not have affected my pay. The other reason is the advancement took more of my time and my next courses seemed to 'demand' living close to the library.
Yeap, I feel incomplete, but try to make-do!
and the additional degree would not have affected my pay. The other reason is the advancement took more of my time and my next courses seemed to 'demand' living close to the library.
Yeap, I feel incomplete, but try to make-do!
inquiringmind: Hi,
I graduated from undergrad with two majors and a minor in a third area, have 2 masters degrees and have had PHD programs knocking at my door and peace of mind. I do have a verifiable mensa approved IQ . But heh, if we were all that, we would all have Bill Gate's net worth instead of participating in this intellectual "p...... contest" Can I have an amen?
Inquringmind
Brains aren't everything or the only thing!
I graduated from undergrad with two majors and a minor in a third area, have 2 masters degrees and have had PHD programs knocking at my door and peace of mind. I do have a verifiable mensa approved IQ . But heh, if we were all that, we would all have Bill Gate's net worth instead of participating in this intellectual "p...... contest" Can I have an amen?
Inquringmind
Brains aren't everything or the only thing!
7x6andchg: Amen, sister!
My father always said the degrees stood for:
B.S. = Bullshit
M.S. = More Shit
PHD = Piled Higher and Deeper
This from a man who was GOING to get his PhD and backed out because he met the woman he was going to marry.
7x6&C
My father always said the degrees stood for:
B.S. = Bullshit
M.S. = More Shit
PHD = Piled Higher and Deeper
This from a man who was GOING to get his PhD and backed out because he met the woman he was going to marry.
7x6&C
inquiringmind: Hi,
I've heard those titles before. I call people with Ph.D.'s either "folks with their racing stripes" or "doctors looking for a place to operate". I think you can be cool and have a Ph.D. , if you went into the process with the right attitude. I just have encountered too many of my colleagues who pursued terminal degrees to show off and they have been doing just that ever since! My two cents worth. Again...
Inquiring mind
I've heard those titles before. I call people with Ph.D.'s either "folks with their racing stripes" or "doctors looking for a place to operate". I think you can be cool and have a Ph.D. , if you went into the process with the right attitude. I just have encountered too many of my colleagues who pursued terminal degrees to show off and they have been doing just that ever since! My two cents worth. Again...
Inquiring mind
Rich2003: B.A. in Geography & Economics and Masters in Business Management - all very boring but its helped me get a decent job
Rich
Rich
hung: After one and one half years of college and partying I was informed that it would be best if I dropped out. Never acquired a degree; however my rod turned out quite well.
Who said you should drop out, Hung?
I remember meeting quite a few people in the undergraduate years who, I think, simply weren't prepared to venture off into academia. I don't think I'm snobby in saying that, well, hitting the books is good for some people, but that there are people out there who do fine with what education they have. I know my family can attest to that. I'm the only one in my generation doing the college thing, and the only other who comes to mind is my great uncle Nick, the New Yawrker -- I think he got a B.S. Not quite sure.
Man, I'll tell you something, and it might sound a little corny but I'll chance it. My master's program has students all across the age brackets; quite a few are married, have a child, trying to make do. Most of my colleagues have me by a few years in age, and there are a few middle-agers out, too (easily in their 40s).
What I'm trying to say is, if college didn't work for you once before, don't give up on it. If you feel it's right to hit the books again and get some knowledge under your belt, do it. If you're undecided and want to take a bunch of different courses, hey, that's what post-baccaleurate (sp?) is all about. Whether it's a formalized degree or if it's just a weekly trip to the library to pick up something new to read, I think education -- even just taking the time to expand your mind, regardless of what kind of job it might or might not get you in the years ahead -- is invaluable. I know I was hungry for it in that year off I took.
(But hey, now that your dick got its exercise, it's time to work that gray matter, hmm?)
I remember meeting quite a few people in the undergraduate years who, I think, simply weren't prepared to venture off into academia. I don't think I'm snobby in saying that, well, hitting the books is good for some people, but that there are people out there who do fine with what education they have. I know my family can attest to that. I'm the only one in my generation doing the college thing, and the only other who comes to mind is my great uncle Nick, the New Yawrker -- I think he got a B.S. Not quite sure.
Man, I'll tell you something, and it might sound a little corny but I'll chance it. My master's program has students all across the age brackets; quite a few are married, have a child, trying to make do. Most of my colleagues have me by a few years in age, and there are a few middle-agers out, too (easily in their 40s).
What I'm trying to say is, if college didn't work for you once before, don't give up on it. If you feel it's right to hit the books again and get some knowledge under your belt, do it. If you're undecided and want to take a bunch of different courses, hey, that's what post-baccaleurate (sp?) is all about. Whether it's a formalized degree or if it's just a weekly trip to the library to pick up something new to read, I think education -- even just taking the time to expand your mind, regardless of what kind of job it might or might not get you in the years ahead -- is invaluable. I know I was hungry for it in that year off I took.
(But hey, now that your dick got its exercise, it's time to work that gray matter, hmm?)
To answer the original questions/ideas posed on the first page...
I'm not a horrible standardized test taker, but I hardly scored anything to scream about. I got a 25 on the ACT; and it's funny because I always come down with a cold right before an exam like that -- test anxiety, psychosomatic, even? I got a 1060 on my GRE, but I'm most proud of the writing assessment score. (5.5/6)
I did fine with schoolwork though, always have, for the most part. Sure, a year of pre-med dropkicked the hell out of my grade point average, but I quickly turned around when I buried myself in the humanities stuff.
So, of course, education has all those dynamics at play -- how "good" students can demonstrate their intelligence and proficiencies in various avenues, even if quantitatively we're not all the rage.
I'm not a horrible standardized test taker, but I hardly scored anything to scream about. I got a 25 on the ACT; and it's funny because I always come down with a cold right before an exam like that -- test anxiety, psychosomatic, even? I got a 1060 on my GRE, but I'm most proud of the writing assessment score. (5.5/6)
I did fine with schoolwork though, always have, for the most part. Sure, a year of pre-med dropkicked the hell out of my grade point average, but I quickly turned around when I buried myself in the humanities stuff.
- philosophy
- English
- sociology
So, of course, education has all those dynamics at play -- how "good" students can demonstrate their intelligence and proficiencies in various avenues, even if quantitatively we're not all the rage.
jackinman: I just happened to read this whole thread and realized that I'm not there, oh well....I have a B.S. degree in Paralegal Studies and I too see no correalation btw educational attainment and penis size.
[quote author=7by6etC link=board=99;num=1060927569;start=20#27 date=09/03/03 at 16:42:59]Amen, sister!
My father always said the degrees stood for:
B.S. = Bullshit
M.S. = More Shit
PHD = Piled Higher and Deeper
This from a man who was GOING to get his PhD and backed out because he met the woman he was going to marry.
7x6&C[/quote]
This is funny Paul, I love it and after all that you end up in debt for life.
[quote author=7by6etC link=board=99;num=1060927569;start=20#27 date=09/03/03 at 16:42:59]Amen, sister!
My father always said the degrees stood for:
B.S. = Bullshit
M.S. = More Shit
PHD = Piled Higher and Deeper
This from a man who was GOING to get his PhD and backed out because he met the woman he was going to marry.
7x6&C[/quote]
This is funny Paul, I love it and after all that you end up in debt for life.
awellhungboi: I realize you were talking to Hung, Dee, but thanks! As a dropout, I appreciate what you're saying. I've had this tug-of-war for the past couple of years now between maybe going into some sort of continuing studies program, or continuing just to do what I'm doing. And I don't know, on the one hand I hate the academic world, the competitiveness, the limited worldview, the constraints of specialization. On the other hand, though, there's the growth that can only come with the give and take of intellectual debate and the ability to 'Know Thyself' and gain a broader view of the world that can only come with learning and sharing with another group of people.
But, to get to some points others have made, let's face it, intelligence isn't necessarily a prerequisite for a Ph.D. Discipline and an ability to buckle down are more important qualities (qualities I sorely lack). I know some brilliant people who, you know, wait tables for a living, and I know some Ph.D's (I work at UNC) who just kind of robotically spout out what's been drilled into their head, without any sort of independent critical thought. (I also know some smart Ph.D's, it should be said.)
I don't know if I really have a point here, just kind of random early morning stream of consciousness.
But, to get to some points others have made, let's face it, intelligence isn't necessarily a prerequisite for a Ph.D. Discipline and an ability to buckle down are more important qualities (qualities I sorely lack). I know some brilliant people who, you know, wait tables for a living, and I know some Ph.D's (I work at UNC) who just kind of robotically spout out what's been drilled into their head, without any sort of independent critical thought. (I also know some smart Ph.D's, it should be said.)
I don't know if I really have a point here, just kind of random early morning stream of consciousness.
Javierdude22: [quote author=Monstro link=board=99;num=1060927569;start=20#36 date=09/05/03 at 04:47:38]I know some brilliant people who, you know, wait tables for a living, and I know some Ph.D's (I work at UNC) who just kind of robotically spout out what's been drilled into their head, without any sort of independent critical thought. (I also know some smart Ph.D's, it should be said.)
I don't know if I really have a point here, just kind of random early morning stream of consciousness.[/quote]
You totally have a point here Monstro. And i feel the same way. I have come to know a lot of people who had low self esteems simply cause they didn't do much more than 8th grade. My mom in fact is one of them. And in fact, i consider many of them to be the most pleasureable to hang around with, ánd to talk about the more meaninfull things in life.
Look, i believe that there are two kinds of smart. You can be smart in knowing when Napoleon was defeated, where Timboektoo is situated, or how you split atoms ;D. But you can be smart in life, or better known as wise as well. I'm not sure, reading back what you wrote, if this is somehow what you meant. Anyway 8)...i've come to know people that were very smart, and thought themselves to be, but are the biggest pricks life ever created. And when confronted by any kind of detriment life seems to lay on our tracks every now and then, they (do) crack. And they usually turn to the ones with a knowledge of life.
In any case, i think people can do anything they want. We are less constricted by our IQ than we believe i think. It is also determined, like you said, by perseverance, discipline, outside support, money, or also the way our educational schoolsystem is formed. Dyslexic (?) people were considered inferior in past times, and now we understand that they can do anything they want if we change the way we educate them a bit. But especially low self esteem can get in the way, i noticed around me. A little encouragement and support can change that.
I don't know if I really have a point here, just kind of random early morning stream of consciousness.[/quote]
You totally have a point here Monstro. And i feel the same way. I have come to know a lot of people who had low self esteems simply cause they didn't do much more than 8th grade. My mom in fact is one of them. And in fact, i consider many of them to be the most pleasureable to hang around with, ánd to talk about the more meaninfull things in life.Look, i believe that there are two kinds of smart. You can be smart in knowing when Napoleon was defeated, where Timboektoo is situated, or how you split atoms ;D. But you can be smart in life, or better known as wise as well. I'm not sure, reading back what you wrote, if this is somehow what you meant. Anyway 8)...i've come to know people that were very smart, and thought themselves to be, but are the biggest pricks life ever created. And when confronted by any kind of detriment life seems to lay on our tracks every now and then, they (do) crack. And they usually turn to the ones with a knowledge of life.
In any case, i think people can do anything they want. We are less constricted by our IQ than we believe i think. It is also determined, like you said, by perseverance, discipline, outside support, money, or also the way our educational schoolsystem is formed. Dyslexic (?) people were considered inferior in past times, and now we understand that they can do anything they want if we change the way we educate them a bit. But especially low self esteem can get in the way, i noticed around me. A little encouragement and support can change that.
awellhungboi: Well said, Javier, and I agree with you. What I was trying to say, however, was that there are indeed two types of smart, like you say. Factual, book learning type of smart and everyday wisdom, or common sense. I know people who are, you know, baristas, dishwashers, etc., who fit both of those categories. Who could offer you an analysis of root causes of the War of the Roses, and change your oil. And I know a few Ph.D.'s who barely can spell, and can't tie their own shoes. Although, I admit, those are the exceptions, rather than the rules.
With that said, I wholeheartedly agree with you about the self-esteem issue. I can tell you that, for my own part, never really having anyone (well, maybe a couple, in high school) taking any interest in my nascent intellectual abilities in my formative years, or really having anyone who ever expressed any interest or compassion for me as a human being when I was a kid, did take its toll. In elementary school I was marked as 'Gifted' and pretty much isolated from the other children. And I think that's common for bright children, some of whom, like me, don't respond particularly well to traditional methods of schooling, and end up getting out as soon as humanly possible.
Still, sometimes I would like to go back.
With that said, I wholeheartedly agree with you about the self-esteem issue. I can tell you that, for my own part, never really having anyone (well, maybe a couple, in high school) taking any interest in my nascent intellectual abilities in my formative years, or really having anyone who ever expressed any interest or compassion for me as a human being when I was a kid, did take its toll. In elementary school I was marked as 'Gifted' and pretty much isolated from the other children. And I think that's common for bright children, some of whom, like me, don't respond particularly well to traditional methods of schooling, and end up getting out as soon as humanly possible.
Still, sometimes I would like to go back.
- Max,
[quote author=Monstro link=board=99;num=1060927569;start=20#36 date=09/05/03 at 04:47:38]But, to get to some points others have made, let's face it, intelligence isn't necessarily a prerequisite for a Ph.D. Discipline and an ability to buckle down are more important [/quote]
I agree totally. Though as someone who did this (part time, external ... 8 years, while working full time .. it was just unspeakable), I'd like to think there are some brains there too.
I agree totally. Though as someone who did this (part time, external ... 8 years, while working full time .. it was just unspeakable
), I'd like to think there are some brains there too.awellhungboi: You make a good point, Max. I don't think I should say discipline and an ability to buckle down are more important. Upon reflection, a fairer view would be to say that they are often just as important as intelligence in gaining a Ph.D. I'm not trying to diminish anyone's accomplishments, certainly. I have a great deal of admiration for anyone who has the wherewithal to stand the rigors involved in getting an advanced degree. I guess the point I was trying to make was more of a broad statement that just because someone has a Ph.D. doesn't necessarily make him/her wiser, or automatically correct. But that, I'm sure, has more to do with my natural bias against most forms of authority.
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