How do I choose a field of study that suits me best?

[VOLVORacr]

Impossible to "pick" a field

Actually deciding on what I want to do for the rest of my life has been more difficult than anything I could possibly choose to do.

I constantly jump from thing to thing. Once I get a grasp of something I jump to something else. When try to "focus" on anyone "field" for any duration I get physically depressed and counter-productive. Supposedly I have "ADD"

suggestions/experiences?

 

[mgb_phys]

Remember you don't have to stick to a field.

My undergrad degree is physics+astronomy. My phd was building an astronomical interferometer. I did postdocs building infrared cameras, I have worked for consultancies doing everything from self-heating coffee cups to LED street signs. Then a couple of startups doing protein structure to massively parralel AI data mining. Now I do 3D laser scanning systems for mining.

Physics is the basis for just about any system - it doesn't really limit you to one field.

 

[VOLVORacr]

That is definitely an option I'd pursue.

Once I finish work on my degree in hard + knocks i'd like to follow a similar path. That would allow me to concentrate more on the projects I've put off until I could confidently discern their usefuless.

Hopefully that will be soon but at this point I really can't be certian

 

[mgb_phys]

Depending on quite what you mean by a field.
If you can't decide between particle physics and atomic physics or you can't decide between physics and pottery!
I would say do your ugrad degree in as 'pure' a subject as possible eg. maths or physics and then specialise - it's easier to move into engineering as a physicist than physics as an engineer.

 

[Chris Hillman]

To point out the obvious

I constantly jump from thing to thing. Once I get a grasp of something I jump to something else. When try to "focus" on anyone "field" for any duration I get physically depressed and counter-productive. Supposedly I have "ADD"

Well, if you believe this to be true, you can rule out any career which involves mastering anything difficult, e.g anything using math, science, or engineering. So maybe you should dismiss* that "diagnosis" and to resolve to prove it wrong by picking something and sticking to it.

*I've read that ADD "diagnoses" by nonspecialists frequently turn out to be wrong when the patient is assessed by a specialist.

 

[VOLVORacr]

Well, if you believe this to be true, you can rule out any career which involves mastering anything difficult, e.g anything using math, science, or engineering. So maybe you should dismiss* that "diagnosis" and to resolve to prove it wrong by picking something and sticking to it.

*I've read that ADD "diagnoses" by nonspecialists frequently turn out to be wrong when the patient is assessed by a specialist.

Ok??

 

[huckmank]

*I've read that ADD "diagnoses" by nonspecialists frequently turn out to be wrong when the patient is assessed by a specialist.

I've read that "diagnoses" by know-it-all physics/math wonks over an internet chat board are even less reliable. The inaccuracy of the diagnoses increases further when the diagnosing agent doesn't know the patient from Adam.

 

[InbredDummy]

Actually deciding on what I want to do for the rest of my life has been more difficult than anything I could possibly choose to do.

I constantly jump from thing to thing. Once I get a grasp of something I jump to something else. When try to "focus" on anyone "field" for any duration I get physically depressed and counter-productive. Supposedly I have "ADD"

suggestions/experiences?

first of all, what is your current education level? if you are in high school, it is very silly to think you'll know what you'll do for the rest of your life. I'm an undergrad math senior, i have taken grad courses in math, i have done research in math and i have tutored math; i still am not 100% sure i want to do mathematics for the rest of my life.

now if you are in grad school and find it very difficult to pick a field, then you might have a problem.

if you supposedly have ADD, then work on getting better with ADD, either by medication or alternative techniques. you are responsible for your life and what kind of effort and work you put in.

 

[VOLVORacr]

Depending on quite what you mean by a field.
If you can't decide between particle physics and atomic physics or you can't decide between physics and pottery!
I would say do your ugrad degree in as 'pure' a subject as possible eg. maths or physics and then specialise - it's easier to move into engineering as a physicist than physics as an engineer.

I honestly never considered physics, it is definitely a very good option. What is a dicipline for someone inclined in mechanics and technology.

Or a non-specific degree?

I always though engineering would be my forte. But, then realized I'm an artist more than an engineer.

edit://thanks for the advice.