The Unofficial University Thread

[Mercedes Benzene]

College. Perhaps one of the most important steps in a given individual's life. Here's where you spill it all:

-Where did you go? OR, where are you currently enrolled?

-What did you go to school for? Major in? OR, what are you currently studying?

-What memorable experiences do you have?

-Where did college ultimately take you, or where do you hope it will take you?

-Anything else you would like to share?

 

If you're not at that stage in your life, where do you want to go? What do you want to study? Etc.

This is a good opportunity to share with each other this very special stage in life, and provide information for those (like me) whose time it is to start thinking about going away to further their education.

:xx:

[Fatstep]

I am currently in high school on the medical science career path. I hope to attend either UNC-Chapel Hill or Duke University when I graduate.

[Jay-qu]

It never gets old saying it - Im studying Advanced Science, majoring in Astrophysics

[imaplanck.]

-Colchester University

-Physical science BSc

-Regarding study? Understanding quantum physics for the first time.

-A career studying Exoplanets(nah thats just a pipe dream:hyper: ), or something else on the cutting edge.

-Nope

[Monomer]

I graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science majoring in microbiology and physiology. I didn't do Honours or a PhD which ultimately made it a little difficult to get a job in a laboratory because they all want someone with lots of experience which I just didn't get at uni. Eventually I negotiated a period of work experience with a research organisation, during which time I worked very hard and proved myself worthy and they ended up offering me a job as a technician.

 

I have fond memories of people who were in my classes at uni, and of some of the lecturers. I also really enjoyed the physiology practical sessions.

 

So, my advice would be to make sure you get lots of work experience while at uni, that's if your course doesn't offer placements. Also, study really hard right from the beginning and get as much out of the lessons as possible. I was a little slack in first year, but eventually I developed good study habits, and by third year I was treating it like a full-time job; in at 9am and out by 5pm. When I wasn't in class I was in the library studying, and I gave myself a break in the evenings to just relax and have some fun.

[imaplanck.]

So out of gaining honours, gaining a post graduate qualification, and starting out as a technician, which would you say was the quickest route to gaining a position?

[Monomer]

So out of gaining honours, gaining a post graduate qualification, and starting out as a technician, which would you say was the quickest route to gaining a position?

 

Getting an honours degree would be the best way to get a technical job in a lab. The honours year provides lots of experience, not just in the lab, but also with project design and analysis. Most jobs I see advertising for a technical officer prefer someone with honours, or equivalent experience.

 

Some courses offer placements, so it may not be necessary to do honours because you're getting lots of experience while you study.

 

If you'd like to be more than just a technician, like a research scientist - someone who has lots of responsibilities for project design and analysis, managing staff, and not working in the lab too much, then get a PhD. There are less jobs for post docs and therefore more competition, but the pay is better and you get to be in charge.

[sanctus]

imaplanck, do you really understand QM? You would be the first person I know who claims that (that includes some profs I know). I guess you meant, you understand how the machinery to explain it works.

[IDMclean]

I currently am attending community college. Cheaper than California State or University of California.

 

I, of course, have issues with deciding where I am going with my education. Given that I am finacially challenged in a rather severe way I feel that my choices are severely constricted, though I suppose it might be possible for me to leave the town I grew up in to attend a more prestigious establishment.

 

In any case, I am not sure what I am studying for. Many people make the statement "I want to be a X when I grow up." or some varient thereof. I start any educational process with an idea of what I want to be capable of doing. That is instead of declaring a role I wanted to become, I declare a goal I want to accomplish.

 

Right now I am attending community college to for two reasons, first is to meet lower division cheaply, and second is to explore my educational options. I've spent four years (since I was 16) and I don't feel much closer to figuring it out.

 

I would like to attend MIT, India Institute of Technology, or some other equivical school. Though recently I have been thinking about going more creative than technical.

 

It such a hard descission: Educate based on Strengths or Weaknesses?

 

Many people go to school and get into things they are strong in. I kinda want to learn about the things that I am not proficient in. Riskier but pays off better in the long run.

 

I don't know, I feel kinda confused. Anyway that is my situ.

[Monomer]

It such a hard descission: Educate based on Strengths or Weaknesses?

 

Many people go to school and get into things they are strong in. I kinda want to learn about the things that I am not proficient in. Riskier but pays off better in the long run.

 

I don't know, I feel kinda confused. Anyway that is my situ.

 

That's an interesting thing to do. You're right, most people study topics their strenghts lie in, which perhaps makes it easier to study. But I think it's not a bad idea to study something you're not proficient in. That way you can get more of a balanced education, and you never know, maybe something you weren't proficient in will turn out to be the thing you want to make a career out of.

 

You're 20, so I think you can take your time and explore all your options. I wish I'd done that. It's easier to do all this in your 20s than it is in your 30s so make the most of it. Try the creative *and* the technical and see what suits you best.

[Jay-qu]

imaplanck, do you really understand QM? You would be the first person I know who claims that (that includes some profs I know). I guess you meant, you understand how the machinery to explain it works.

I read a book about it not to long ago the understanding that I gained of QM was an understanding of how I cant actually understand it - now theres a noodle scratcher :D

[jungjedi]

i have a bfa from florida state university.i would love to go abraod and get another art degree.im thinking of soa poalo brazil with its 23 million inhabitants.i just have to learn some portuguese and get a residency visa

[IDMclean]

Still going to Community college, but now I know what I want to do. I want to study the design and development Intelligent Systems. Starting with Games and ending with Mechatronic Artificial Life forms and Intelligences. My interest in games is an artistic one, so I will have a chance to exercise my artistic and scientific skills.