I'm never going to use this!!

[burbuja0512]

I have a question for everyone who has forced themselves to take classes or tests about topics that seem impractical to learn.

I have had a successful career without a college degree and obviously I am aware that I need to finish school to get to the next level, otherwise I wouldn't be here.

That being said, I am struggling a little bit (ok... a lot) with having to learn about things that don't interest me and that I already KNOW that I won't need in my career. I am scheduled to take the A&I Lit CLEP this Saturday and I'm going through the different topics on IC to figure out which test will be next... problem is I am having a hard time getting interested in something that I'll never use.

Does anyone else feel this way and how have you overcome this mental block? It's slowing me down and making studying very difficult.

Thanks!

[Maniac Craniac]

Don't fight it, embrace it!

You may think that you will never actually use it, however, the experience of learning it will develop a part of your brain, and therefore a category of ability, that will allow you to be mentally more balanced in how you function.

For me, I generally don't have this problem because I am willing and eager to learn just about anything. However, I have had a bit of a distaste for the fact that I will have to take a statistics course. Well, I am proud to say that I am over my reservations about it (although I have yet to take it). I am now actually looking forward to it.

How? Why?

I thought about just what statistics is, and how important it is. WOW! I started to realize that statistics is arguably the most important advanced mathematics that one could ever learn. It goes beyond the theoretical and esoteric and reaches right in to reality. Just about every news report and opinion piece throw stats at you, as if they speak for themselves, but imagine the POWER that a person holds who has the ability to dissect and analyze statistical date just as well as the source can? Imagine how much deeper and richer your understanding of demographics can be once you have an advanced handle on stats!

Not to mention that a study of statistics lends right into a study of probability, both or which can be used to enhance one's mastery of algorithmic spacial games (like connect four) or especially games of mixed mastery of odds and skill (like card games).

Plus, ANY advanced practice in math is great for keeping one's ability to calculate sharp. I really want this, now more than ever, since I kind of wasted my way through my B&M calculus class, neglecting to stay awake in class and neglecting to study for exams. (only got a B in it :nopity I basically have something to prove to myself with it.

You need to see just how this will help you, even if it isn't something that you will use directly. Convince yourself of its importance, and/or challenge yourself for the right to do some internal boasting!

[jackzack87]

Ah, how I feel for you. I remember those three long months before DSST Algebra, wanting to think the exact same thing.

Welcome to college. You'll face this often, especially in a soft-science field, IMO (unlike engineering, for example).

The best advice I can give is to look at is as a challenge and embrace the diversity that you'll have once you're done. In many ways a degree is a "golden ticket", and this is one of the little "punches" in that ticket. But I think the perseverance of pushing yourself through something tortuous out of desire for the outcome is going to give you more than the knowledge of the education you'll receive

Press on

[PonyGirl93]

Well, you could be as wonderfully diplomatic & mature as Maniac, or you could comfort yourself with the fact that studying CLEPs takes much less long than a real class

[cookderosa]

I have a question for everyone who has forced themselves to take classes or tests about topics that seem impractical to learn.

I have had a successful career without a college degree and obviously I am aware that I need to finish school to get to the next level, otherwise I wouldn't be here.

That being said, I am struggling a little bit (ok... a lot) with having to learn about things that don't interest me and that I already KNOW that I won't need in my career. I am scheduled to take the A&I Lit CLEP this Saturday and I'm going through the different topics on IC to figure out which test will be next... problem is I am having a hard time getting interested in something that I'll never use.

Does anyone else feel this way and how have you overcome this mental block? It's slowing me down and making studying very difficult.

Thanks!

You have found the difference between the haves and have-nots. The haves did it anyway, despite being uninterested and struggling. Everyone who displays that piece of paper in a frame on the wall has been there done that (even though). I hope that doesn't sound to harsh, but essentially my advice is to dig in your heels - find a subject you don't hate- and just do it (anyway).

On another note, I hope you get the joy of learning something that has nothing to do with your career. It's cool to know stuff.

By the way, is that right? You got an 80 on the Spanish CLEP? <bowing down> WOW. Freakin' wow.

[burbuja0512]

You guys are awesome - I LOVE the pep talk. I need to save this and keep reading whenever I have doubts about what I'm doing. I love all the different perspectives.



Thanks!!

P.S. Yes, 80 in Spanish, but not because I studied a lot. I lived in Mexico for six years. The job I had was entirely in Spanish, so I started off using my high school Spanish and ended up being forced into fluency. :-)

[creative]

Taking tests like clep and dsst to earn your degree, as opposed to being in an actual classroom, definitely requires more work and discipline to stay motivated IMHO. When I took classes at my university it was pretty easy to stay motivated-- even if you didn't like the course--because you had friends and the social interaction and a professor to hopefully make it more interesting etc. But with taking tests you have to be your own motivator and there are some days you have to dig deep and persevere. One way I stay motivated is by coming to this forum every day and reading about people finishing their degree and how excited they are (and then they go for another degree-wow) or they did well on a test that i am currently studying for etc Some people on this forum have been working for a long time on their degree and have gone back to school after 25 years (like myself). It truly inspires me to keep going!! But I agree, there is no doubt it is tough to stay motivated. Some simple things like going for a walk or a jog when you feel like your brain can't take anymore helps me. Also, finding ways to make the subject more interesting helps. I go on YouTube a lot to find videos on the subject. Also, iTunes University has tons of great lectures for free from universities all over the world. It sometimes helps to listen to a professor that loves his particular field ,lecture on the topic. It will definitely be worth it when you get that diploma!!

[Maniac Craniac]

Well, you could be as wonderfully diplomatic & mature as Maniac,

Eh, my diplomacy and maturity come and go in cycles. If you read my posts frequently, you would know what I mean

[rickyjo]

Oh, you and I face the same problems. banghead
When you find a solution, please, let me know!

I'm interested in most subjects, but when I'm not....it's brutal. Worse, when I am interested and I believe that they are destroying the beauty of it (literature!). My AP Literature class in high school was so difficult to stomach, teachers and "experts" trying to act as if they actually know what the author intended 99% of the time when I sincerely doubt they have a leg to stand on. The beauty of literature is that sometimes you have to decide for yourself, or take a best guess, or personalize the vague. Often-times this makes objective knowledge of the author's intent impossible. It's better that way. Sometimes it's obvious, and other times we must accept that it's not.

[Shemrat]

For me, I generally don't have this problem because I am willing and eager to learn just about anything. However, I have had a bit of a distaste for the fact that I will have to take a statistics course. Well, I am proud to say that I am over my reservations about it (although I have yet to take it).

This is absolutely hilarious to me because as I was reading this thread, only moments before stumbling upon this personal observation from you, I too was considering to myself: "I can say in confidence that every class I have taken I had some form of interest in." Then I recalled the dread and torture I went through with Statistics. I absolutely hated it, and it was the single class that I wanted no part of. However, after completing it, in hindsight I feel a strong magnitude of accomplishment that no other class has shown me. Granted, it was my only C, but I can sleep soundly at night knowing it is done!