How Can I Rediscover My Passion for Maths and Science After Dropping Out?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around rediscovering a passion for mathematics and science after a period of personal challenges and dropping out of community college. Participants share their experiences, interests, and potential paths for self-study and future education.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to learn more about mathematics and science for personal enjoyment after dropping out of community college due to personal issues.
  • Another participant welcomes the newcomer and acknowledges the challenges of improving one's lifestyle.
  • There is a suggestion to consider returning to community college, although the original poster is uncertain about their future direction.
  • Some participants mention the recommendation of trades as potential paths, but the original poster does not feel drawn to any specific trades.
  • A participant shares a personal anecdote about hiring someone with a non-traditional background who succeeded in a technical role, suggesting that diverse paths can lead to success.
  • Another participant highlights their interests in biology, chemistry, and algebra, noting the potential for combining these fields in future studies or careers.
  • There is a discussion about the job market for mathematics, with some suggesting that opportunities may be limited compared to fields like biology and chemistry.
  • Links to resources for self-study in mathematics and science are provided by one participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a supportive tone, but there is uncertainty regarding the best path forward for the original poster. Multiple competing views on the value of trades versus academic pursuits are present, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best direction for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various personal experiences and interests, but there are limitations in terms of specific recommendations for study paths and the job market for different fields. The discussion reflects a range of opinions on the value of mathematics compared to other sciences.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in rekindling their passion for mathematics and science, those considering non-traditional educational paths, and anyone exploring self-study resources in STEM fields.

College drop out
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I've been wanting to learn more maths and science for a while now since I was decent at them in HS but I started to run into deeper personal problems later in my HS career and peaked my first year at a community college and I ended up dropping out. But I've cleaned up my lifestyle a bit recently and just started trying to read up on physics,maths,computer science etc. I am really just doing this stuff for fun since I have no more friends due to cleaning up my lifestyle and have a lot of time on my hands so I'm not in school or anything. Looking forward to learning a lot and gaining some skills.:oldsmile:
 
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Welcome to PF, hope you enjoy the community.
Oh! and congrats on cleaning things up, it can be tough at times.
 
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Welcome to the PF. Are you considering returning to Community College? :smile:
 
Ya I have no idea what I want to do though. a lot of people are recommending trades to me but I don't really have an interest in any that I know of.
 
College drop out said:
Ya I have no idea what I want to do though. a lot of people are recommending trades to me but I don't really have an interest in any that I know of.

About 40 years ago I hired a fellow in his 20's to do Thermal Analysis and Energy Usage of buildings. He was just finishing a night school course on the subject and the instructor suggested that we talk to the fellow. He worked out quite well... even though his previous job was with a company that went around to restaurants and such to clean and disinfect the restrooms. So you really do have a wide range of choices. Was there anything you were interested in when in high school (other than getting out of classes)?
 
College drop out said:
I've been wanting to learn more maths and science for a while now since I was decent at them in HS but I started to run into deeper personal problems later in my HS career and peaked my first year at a community college and I ended up dropping out. But I've cleaned up my lifestyle a bit recently and just started trying to read up on physics,maths,computer science etc. I am really just doing this stuff for fun since I have no more friends due to cleaning up my lifestyle and have a lot of time on my hands so I'm not in school or anything. Looking forward to learning a lot and gaining some skills.:oldsmile:
Here's a list of links I like to mention in cases which concern self-study. I think they're worth a read and it also has a link to a website with recommendable free books:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/self-teaching-gcse-and-a-level-maths.933639/#post-5896947
 
Tom.G said:
About 40 years ago I hired a fellow in his 20's to do Thermal Analysis and Energy Usage of buildings. He was just finishing a night school course on the subject and the instructor suggested that we talk to the fellow. He worked out quite well... even though his previous job was with a company that went around to restaurants and such to clean and disinfect the restrooms. So you really do have a wide range of choices. Was there anything you were interested in when in high school (other than getting out of classes)?
I liked biology and chemistry a lot and also the algebras I grew to love do to an amazing teacher.
 
College drop out said:
I liked biology and chemistry a lot and also the algebras I grew to love do to an amazing teacher.
That's a good variety! The first two, Biology and Chemistry, are rather large industries/fields with lots of room, and even overlapping needs if you want to combine them. The algebra would be needed in either of them.

Mathematics seems to have somewhat limited prospects by itself. Hard to find folks that will pay for Mathematics research. (but there may be some Mathematicians here that would disagree.)
 

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