- #1
couldbeworse
- 1
- 0
I'm majoring in mathematics, mathematical physics, and mathematical statistics. Aside from the fact that I'm triple majoring for the cost of one major and two minors (an example of my school not being good at organizing course requirements), I don't know why I'm doing any of this.
The fact of the matter is that I don't think I want to do math beyond analysis EVER as a job. Abstract algebra, topology... they're really, really fun to learn, but not fun at all to do repeatedly, if that makes any sense. In fact, I'm only a math major because I think it's fun to LEARN. Not so much to spend my life doing. It's like someone who's only taking the course to enjoy the "popular science" part of it, but finds regular popular science to lack sufficient rigor.
As for mathematical statistics, I think it is an incredibly useful skill no matter what I do in life. Much like how people exercise despite not liking it, I choose to major in mathematical statistics. Also, statistics is not too bad; it ties really well into modeling systems, a type of problem solving I always found really cool about quantitative courses in general.
Now, physics is the kind of problem solving I like. You know, build models and stuff. Especially statistical mechanics. That **** was awesome. And I really do enjoy learning it--but, again, as a more rigorous form of popular science.
I'd like to note that I'm not good at all at any of these fields. Hell, I'm probably dumber than all my peers in these fields. The only reason why I'm getting better grades is that I'm studying significantly more. And that I have a good memory. I tend not to forget about anything I learn. That said, my problem solving skills (out of the box, without studying) are **** compared to my peers. You know www.math.stackexchange.com? I can't do any of the questions with bounties, because they're the ones that actually test real problem solving, not regurgitating what you've learned in textbooks.
The one class I really found I enjoyed was a harder, more rigorous form of game theory I took a short while ago. That was the funnest subject and class I have ever taken. Too late to switch my majors, though. :(
I don't know what to do after college. Finance? Prolonged working on mundane stuff literally makes me feel terrible. Academics? Can't compete with the brainpower of my peers. If only I could stay in college and just learn everything else.
The fact of the matter is that I don't think I want to do math beyond analysis EVER as a job. Abstract algebra, topology... they're really, really fun to learn, but not fun at all to do repeatedly, if that makes any sense. In fact, I'm only a math major because I think it's fun to LEARN. Not so much to spend my life doing. It's like someone who's only taking the course to enjoy the "popular science" part of it, but finds regular popular science to lack sufficient rigor.
As for mathematical statistics, I think it is an incredibly useful skill no matter what I do in life. Much like how people exercise despite not liking it, I choose to major in mathematical statistics. Also, statistics is not too bad; it ties really well into modeling systems, a type of problem solving I always found really cool about quantitative courses in general.
Now, physics is the kind of problem solving I like. You know, build models and stuff. Especially statistical mechanics. That **** was awesome. And I really do enjoy learning it--but, again, as a more rigorous form of popular science.
I'd like to note that I'm not good at all at any of these fields. Hell, I'm probably dumber than all my peers in these fields. The only reason why I'm getting better grades is that I'm studying significantly more. And that I have a good memory. I tend not to forget about anything I learn. That said, my problem solving skills (out of the box, without studying) are **** compared to my peers. You know www.math.stackexchange.com? I can't do any of the questions with bounties, because they're the ones that actually test real problem solving, not regurgitating what you've learned in textbooks.
The one class I really found I enjoyed was a harder, more rigorous form of game theory I took a short while ago. That was the funnest subject and class I have ever taken. Too late to switch my majors, though. :(
I don't know what to do after college. Finance? Prolonged working on mundane stuff literally makes me feel terrible. Academics? Can't compete with the brainpower of my peers. If only I could stay in college and just learn everything else.