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Speaking of IQ.

TroutBum

TroutBum

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While reading PKM's thread about intelligence, a little feeling in my gut, one that has been gnawing at me for the last year or so, began to get heavier. I'm sure we all can look back on things we've done or choices we've made and thought, "Man, I wish I would have done THAT differently", and I'm no exception. When I dropped out of The SLCC after only one semester (12 credit hours, yo), I thought I was the smartest 18 year old in the world. I wasn't about to pay that much money for a professor to not show up again, among other things, (long story) so I walked off campus, vowing to never return. I can honestly say that I was happy for a lot of years, and somewhat proud with my decision to quit school in favor of entrepreneurial endeavors. However, in the last three or four years I've started to notice a sort of stagnation within myself, and even some noticeable regression. I still have the same problems and issues, along with the same positive aspects of personality that I have always had, but I almost feel that my brain (or IQ, or intelligence, or whatever you want to call it) has begun to atrophy. My recall isn't what it once was, I am starting to struggle with putting thoughts together, and even having trouble with vocalizing my thoughts, just to name a few things. I have always thought I that I am plenty smart, both street and book wise, but that surety has been wavering as of late. Maybe it is just human nature and one of the great things about getting older, but it doesn't feel that way. I feel like I need to engage my brain, as well as my mind, in some new and challenging things. Maybe I'm just dumb. Who knows, but one thing keeps coming to the forefront of my thoughts...

Gordon help me, I've been giving some serious thought of going back to school. (PBUH)

I know a lot of people go back to school when they're in their 30's, 40's, and older (my old man got a masters at 59), but it seems to me that those people are almost always adding onto their established education foundation, i.e. a bachelors or masters. I'll be frank, if someone put a gun to my head and told me to do long division, fractions, or the simplest of pre-algebra, I'd be dead faster than a black kid walking into Panda to show off his samurai sword. I'm not going to lie, it's intimidating as ****. What are your, if any, experiences with school later in life? Would you do it again? If so, would you care to share any wisdom or helpful anecdotes for an aging turd who is lost amongst the thorns and thistles of midlife crisis?

Help me, Jazzfanz Kenobi, you're my only hope.
 
The 'difficulty' of doing things later in life is overrated, in my opinion. If you set aside a proper amount of time, you're emotionally invested in said task, and you look forward to it- I'm sure you could even learn algebra.

The whole "I'm getting dumber as I get older" shtick is just an excuse for resignation, in my opinion. There's enormous amounts of intelligent older people who still continue to pile onto their knowledge. Don't sell yourself short.

If going back to school gives you physical, spiritual, or emotional fulfillment, then it's something you have to do, in my opinion. As long as it doesn't get in the way of your role as a father, a husband, and perhaps a community member if that's something you take seriously.



For what it's worth: before you jump into school, I'd grab a couple books in the area of school that you're interested in, and give them a read. Like intro-level stuff. If you find yourself pining to learn more about physics, maybe track down some really well-written, relatable intro-physics material, and see if it sparks any intrigue. I think it's a way better idea than simply choosing a direction you 'think' you'll like, but then finding out that it's not for you.
 
My first degree was in political science. But then, just a couple of years later, I fell in love with hard science, and decided to go to back to school and earn a degree in physics. From my experience, I felt being older made school easier. I don't think it was necessarily due to an increase in cognitive capacity, but solely the result of changed mentality and perspective. Even though my second degree was vastly more challenging and time consuming, I got through undergrad and then graduate school without much difficulty, while working full time. I didn't care about partying, hooking up, etc. And I had a real interest in learning that made doing the work a matter of course. So if you do decide to go back to school, you should be at least as able to handle the load as when you were younger.

But, the important question is, why do you want to go back to school? Are you looking for a career change? Is you mental stagnation solvable through getting a bachelor's? Will it really help with your self-improvement? Are you willing to commit time and effort (and money!) over the next 4 years to actually earn a degree?

Now if you do decide to restart your studies, what degree are you going for? If this is truly about pursuing knowledge and self-enrichment, then it has to be something you find challenging. Real skills and knowledge require significant effort and practice, as someone with your experience knows very well.

I think it boils down to how you project your life will change once you earn a degree. I don't think age is much of an issue. I have a friend who just earned his bachelor's in electrical engineering at 37. But it has to be something you're doing for more than to satisfy a fleeting impulse about the necessity of formal education for self-improvement.
 
dalamon said:
The 'difficulty' of doing things later in life is overrated, in my opinion. If you set aside a proper amount of time, you're emotionally invested in said task, and you look forward to it- I'm sure you could even learn algebra.

The whole "I'm getting dumber as I get older" shtick is just an excuse for resignation, in my opinion. There's enormous amounts of intelligent older people who still continue to pile onto their knowledge. Don't sell yourself short.

If going back to school gives you physical, spiritual, or emotional fulfillment, then it's something you have to do, in my opinion. As long as it doesn't get in the way of your role as a father, a husband, and perhaps a community member if that's something you take seriously.



For what it's worth: before you jump into school, I'd grab a couple books in the area of school that you're interested in, and give them a read. Like intro-level stuff. If you find yourself pining to learn more about physics, maybe track down some really well-written, relatable intro-physics material, and see if it sparks any intrigue. I think it's a way better idea than simply choosing a direction you 'think' you'll like, but then finding out that it's not for you.
Click to expand...

There is a different reality, though..

When one is 18/19 and can live at home, under your parent's roof, and eat their food, etc.. there is little to worry about but getting your degree.
Once you're married, have children, and need to provide for much more than just yourself, the financial, logistical, emotional, and sociological change dramatically.
 
Excellent posts, thanks guys. To answer a few questions, I think this is a far cry from an impulse, nor do I feel like I need higher education for career advancement. That being said, it's never a negative thing to have, and who knows where my career could end up in five, ten, twenty years. If you would have told me 12 months ago that I'd be living in STG, selling real estate, and getting carpel tunnel from too much fishing, I would have cackled in your face. For Dal-Pal, I am far from "resigned"; I doubt this thread would exist if I was. I am stagnate, that is all, and I'm growing ever more dissatisfied by it. I read two or three books a month, I keep a journal, I see a shrink on the reg (dat objective third party, doe), and I'm still not satisfied. "Satisfied" is the wrong word, but you know what I mean.

As for school, and what degree I'd go for, I'm not sure. In my nieveity, the first college course I signed up for was a beginning physics class. I was fascinated with the subject, or at least, what I thought it was, and was absolutely mortified to discover that I was the equivellent of a third grader taking the ACT. I was beyond lost and had no idea what kind of math was required to even attempt to pass that class. To this day, I think Physics would be my first choice, followed by some sort of English or writing degree. I don't know if I have what it takes to survive the math portion though, because I'd pretty much be starting at square one.

Something else to consider; I don't necessarily need to get a degree. Sounds contrived, but just the idea of learning new things, but at the same time, being held accountable via grades and a bill, are my main reasons for contemplating a return. Maybe school isn't the answer to my desires, and maybe there is a cheaper alternative out there? I dunno, but I'm all ears.
 
PKM said:
There is a different reality, though..

When one is 18/19 and can live at home, under your parent's roof, and eat their food, etc.. there is little to worry about but getting your degree.
Once you're married, have children, and need to provide for much more than just yourself, the financial, logistical, emotional, and sociological change dramatically.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but my situation is pretty conducive to part time classes, hell, probably full time if I really wanted to. My wife is a stay at home mom and both kids are in school. I work 2-3 days a week and dick around the other days. That is one of the other reasons I've been giving this a lot of thought; I'm getting lazier. Normally I would embrace that fact with warm hugs and kisses, but it's just not working for me anymore. I need something to keep me sharp, on schedule, and motivated.

Again, maybe school is the wrong place to find those things, but it's at least a place to start.
 
I did a Commerce degree that "got me the job and sets me up in life". It was a financial decision then. I did pretty well out of it I'd have to say, it was well worth the 'investment' I made at the time.


If I've got free time later in life, and I don't have to work for a living, I wouldn't mind going back and doing more interesting subjects, something I'm really interested in or feel really passionate about. I can see myself spending hours and hours talking to the Professors about said subjects and taking assignments more seriously instead of just hurrying through them like I did when I was younger.


If I were you I would think long and hard about what degree/subjects to take and whether or not you feel passionate about them and/or whether they would be useful to you financially, spiritually, intellectually when you've completed them.
 
The thing with math is that each level requires a solid foundation in what preceded it. If you haven't mastered simple arithmetic, then algebra won't be doable. If you still don't have a good grasp on algebra, then forget about calculus.

The good news is, math is actually easy. You don't need to be some kind of high intellectual to get good at math. You simply need to take the time to master each area through understanding the concepts and solving problems. Math is logical and predictable. All mathematical subjects up to college level math follow simple rules that can be quickly understood. In fact, I can teach someone all of calculus in under an hour. The difficulty comes from doing enough practice to get an intuition of how equations unfold in real life.

If you go for physics degree (advisable over English, duh), then you should spend a couple of months going over the basics of math, before enrolling in college algebra. The first few classes of undergrad physics only require algebra and very simple calculus. You can certainly do it if you really want to.
 
Siro said:
The thing with math is that each level requires a solid foundation in what preceded it. If you haven't mastered simple arithmetic, then algebra won't be doable. If you still don't have a good grasp on algebra, then forget about calculus.

The good news is, math is actually easy. You don't need to be some kind of high intellectual to get good at math. You simply need to take the time to master each area through understanding the concepts and solving problems. Math is logical and predictable. All mathematical subjects up to college level math follow simple rules that can be quickly understood. In fact, I can teach someone all of calculus in under an hour. The difficulty comes from doing enough practice to get an intuition of how equations unfold in real life.

If you go for physics degree (advisable over English, duh), then you should spend a couple of months going over the basics of math, before enrolling in college algebra. The first few classes of undergrad physics only require algebra and very simple calculus. You can certainly do it if you really want to.
Click to expand...

Allah dis ^^. Siro preaches the troof.
 
PKM said:
There is a different reality, though..

When one is 18/19 and can live at home, under your parent's roof, and eat their food, etc.. there is little to worry about but getting your degree.
Once you're married, have children, and need to provide for much more than just yourself, the financial, logistical, emotional, and sociological change dramatically.
Click to expand...

I get that-- I included the blurb about interfering with your role as father/husband/community member in my earlier post. It's way, way, way ****ing easier for the likes of me to just devote 100% to school.

That's why this sort of undertaking is very situation-dependent, and why it's never a good idea to just cast it off as a pipe-dream.

If I was Trout, I'd ask myself this: if the schooling makes him a more fulfilled, a more satisfied, a more driven person-- these are impacts that will be felt by his family members. So even if he doesn't have as MUCH time to spend with them (speaking hypothetically here) as he usually does, if his school-undertaking has positive long-term implications for his family as a whole, it's something to be considered
 
E.J. Wells said:
Agreed, but my situation is pretty conducive to part-time classes, hell, probably full-time, if I really wanted to. My wife is a stay at home mom and both kids are in school. I work 2-3 days a week and dick around the other days. That is one of the other reasons I've been giving this a lot of thought: I'm getting lazier. Normally I would embrace that fact with warm hugs and kisses, but it's just not working for me anymore. I need something to keep me sharp, on schedule, and motivated.

Again, maybe school is the wrong place to find those things, but it's at least a place to start.
Click to expand...

fixed.

Also, I almost lost it when I read this. Reading about how you see institutionalized education as a pathway to a better version of yourself, given all the **** you've said to me, was a real doozy.
 
[size/HUGE] fixed [/size];904682 said:
fixed.

Also, I almost lost it when I read this. Reading about how you see institutionalized education as a pathway to a better version of yourself, given all the **** you've said to me, was a real doozy.
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure what you fixed, but good one? The fact that you're a douchbag as well as a person of academia doesn't mean that I'm somehow anti-school; just anti-douchebag. In case I didn't make myself clear earlier, I'm not sure going back to school is the right path or idea, but just an option I've been thinking about. You think you're a pretty smart guy, and by all accounts, under that douchey exterior, you might even be. Care to give me your thoughts on the situation? That is, if you have time between ho's and craft beers, of course.


*got me on the colon and the semicolon. Maybe English or writing isn't my thing. Good catch, brah.
 
[size/HUGE] fixed [/size];904682 said:
fixed.

Also, I almost lost it when I read this. Reading about how you see institutionalized education as a pathway to a better version of yourself, given all the **** you've said to me, was a real doozy.
Click to expand...

to be anti-NAOS is to be anti-institutionalized education.

The things I learn on Jazzfanz.
 
E.J. Wells said:
To this day, I think Physics would be my first choice, followed by some sort of English or writing degree. I don't know if I have what it takes to survive the math portion though, because I'd pretty much be starting at square one.
Click to expand...

Love that you love physics! ;-)

The math concern is genuine, though. When I see students who struggle in physics classes, more often than not it's because they don't have the math skills.
 
dalamon said:
The 'difficulty' of doing things later in life is overrated, in my opinion. If you set aside a proper amount of time, you're emotionally invested in said task, and you look forward to it- I'm sure you could even learn algebra.
Click to expand...

It can be overrated, but you do have to learn things differently. There'a a reason chess champions rarely keep their crown lang after the age of 40, you do lose some of your ability for deep, long concentration. On the other hand, you typically gain ability in using language for reading and writing.
 
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