Any life advice for a high school senior?
Posted by qhrjk 4 years ago to Ask the Gulch
I haven't been on this site in a while, but I was wondering what advice you all have for someone my age! I will (hopefully) be going to college next year as a physics major.
Thanks!
Edit: I appreciate all the amazing advice shared with me! I've been reading every single comment over and thought I might as well include some of the colleges I am applying to in case anyone has any information regarding them. Plus, it would be great if there are any alumni here. I'm applying to the University of Chicago (my dream school), the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois at UC, Case Western Reserve, Northwestern, GeorgiaTech, Rutgers, Rice, Johns Hopkins, and Wooster College.
Again, thank you all.
Thanks!
Edit: I appreciate all the amazing advice shared with me! I've been reading every single comment over and thought I might as well include some of the colleges I am applying to in case anyone has any information regarding them. Plus, it would be great if there are any alumni here. I'm applying to the University of Chicago (my dream school), the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois at UC, Case Western Reserve, Northwestern, GeorgiaTech, Rutgers, Rice, Johns Hopkins, and Wooster College.
Again, thank you all.
Think carefully about taking on debt.
Be kind.
Physics doesn't seem very practical, but it's so interesting to me- especially its strong foundation of mathematics. I hope I can develop a passion for it in the future and, if not, I will find another area of study :) Thank you for your insight!
Both are needed and both can be challenging and rewarding. Now you have the exciting task of pursuing your studies to develop your interest and passion in a particular career field. Don't fret over it ... let your natural abilities blossom and your passions develop as you keep your eyes wide open and talk to instructors and professionals.
What I wasn't prepared for was the office bullshit that can occur in the workplace. I've always been focused on the solution. You'll find that many people in the workplace aren't like that at all. This causes conflicts. I've also made lifelong, like-minded engineer friends over the years - really good people.
I think there's something to be said for being your own boss eventually. It can be tough. You have to be disciplined. I've worked for people who were jealous of me and/or threatened by me and that can very tough. You need to really know your shit. But, at the same time you need to recognize that you're unusual in that regard and there are times you need to softly reassure people that you're not a threat (not that you can control their boss, though...ha).
Being educated and intelligent in America comes with challenges that will surprise you. On the bright side...it's kind of fun being surprised all the time...
1-You will encounter many social choices, especially if you're away at school. If you have to think twice about doing something, DON'T.
2-The world is your oyster and dreams should be unlimited. It’s yours for the taking and anything is possible, but it takes diligent effort framed around the productive longer-range goal. What may seem unachievable needs to be broken down, one day at a time in small reachable steps. These will continuously enhance the intermediate phase of success, adjusting the proverbial sails as the wind changes, ultimately realizing that “impossible dream.” When this productivity is achieved, a sense of pride will be fulfilled promoting further accomplishments. Always give it your all, 110%, performing at your highest level, not only for your personal satisfaction, but you never know who is in the “audience.” Life is a continual growth process. It's more important to know what you don't know rather than what you think you know. Shoot for the stars and your integrity is of paramount importance as you develop lifelong relationships.
Don't waste a pile of money on a big wedding. Spend the money on your honeymoon, and have the people there that you will enjoy sharing the event with.
If you are a smart guy (sounds like you are), never accept an answer you don't understand. If someone can't explain it to you in terms you understand, they are the one's that don't understand the concept.
By the way, you don't need to worry about a big wedding from me :)
I so wish there was an internet when I was your age!
I'd echo some of the others here and suggest a double-major, with the other being an engineering field which will crossover nicely. One of my brothers-in-law got an undergrad in astronomy or geology (maybe both) and a masters in information systems. Unsurprisingly, he now works for Exxon.
You are why I advertise in the Gulch.
Consider me to be like Quentin Daniels, the professor from Utah Institute of Technology, except that I am from Florida Tech nstead.
Now they do climate change and raparations and "looking good" by being politically correct. Too bad.
Our climate is changing. Is it a catastrophic change? No, but I definitely see a difference from 20 years ago here. The nights are a few degrees warmer because the oceans are indeed warmer.
I focus on all the things that a proper Patrick Henry University ought to include, including the appropriate philosophy for being productive.
I do have a small business that is starting to take off, so I haven't completely shrugged.
Have you had enough exposure to anything that may become a passion?
To what level do you wish to explore a lifestyle versus a career?
If you had the support to go walkabout and explore would you enjoin this before formal schooling?
Are you going to spend you time making a living or making a Life?
I know...I'm a s**t! LOL!
I am 65 years old, and I have spent most of my adult life trying to instill in "my kids" a passion for anything that trips their trigger. My main focus has been engineering, namely aerospace, and I have mentored university students literally from coast to coast and worldwide. Google Cansat and USLI @ NASA.
That all said, I see a lot of students who have no clue, thru no fault of their own, but of non exposure, what exactly is their trigger. I have some of "my kids" working for Elon Musk who can't stand their work environment. I have other "kids" who work for NASA as astronauts (Woody Holburg) or Lockheed running sim machines for fighter pilots and are "living their dream". And some "kids" who were brilliant and decided to run their own business. One of them is a rancher. Best looking cattle herd I have ever seen (I am also a rancher, as one of my side jobs).
I joined the army at 18 because I was broke, inexperienced, couldn't afford an education, and had never been anywhere. The army rectified that, sent me to Vietnam moping up that mess, and to Laos to deal with Polpot. And then paid for my education. I wanted to be a historian (one of my favorite quotes was from Pres Truman "The only thing new in this world is the history you do not know". But I figured there was no money in that (I was born dirt poor, no dad, raised by my Grandma in a 3 room stucco house with no electricity, no running water, and an outhouse. Kerosene lamps for lighting. So When I was done with wandering, I went to school to be an accountant. Bored stiff. Used my people skills to become a major hospital personnel director. Bored again. Used my accounting and military background to get a job with the ATF as an explosives and weapons federal agent. Got in a shootout with some dirtbags in Lubbork, Texas and shot a couple of em. Mucho paperwork.Decided to start my own business. 5 branch locations in three states, 100 employees, sold out in 2009 and bought a ranch. In between all this, I was on the propellant team that engineered the motor that sent the first non government privately owned rocket into space (72 miles verticle,) have been on at least 20 shows with Myth busters, Sci Fi, Discovery, etc, on rocketry based episodes. (Google Mini Cooper rocket powered fireld goal on YouTube, I am the guy wearing a white cowboy hat).
But today my dream I am living is working my ranch and installing solar power for people who want to be off grid.
I guess, youngun, why I am telling you all this, is wait a tad if you don't already know your "trigger". If you do, realize it may change. So educate yourself with various sklls as a backup.
Starting a new contract for a weapons mfg tomorrow in my shop. Sifting, in my shop, 3 different micron sizes, of Ammonium Perchlorate, 20000 lbs, to be shipped to China Lake to make Hellfire missile motors.
What, me bored :-) ?
I've never been interested in making a lot of money, but I'm sure that's what a lot of kids my age say. Or maybe it's supposed to be the other way around... not sure. I will admit, my daydreams are pretty wild. I find myself imagining a revolution/state collapse in North Korea, followed by a period of state reconstruction. However, I also daydream about doing research at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Irrational and unrealistic? Absolutely. That's what daydreams are good for!
I'm not even sure I'm the type of person who could do a walkabout of sorts before formal schooling. I certainly want to have an academic lifestyle, but I don't imagine it as anything luxurious. Actually, I imagine I will be a completely broke student, happily squinting at some lengthy proof. Again, pretty naive haha. We'll see where I end up in a couple years :)
I didn't know if this had made the net until just now. Larry is a friend from S Mpls. Hanging out at an Irish pub we'd share insights and mischief. I got the original recording in 99...still qued up in my CD player.
When you find yourself in the "I" of a storm, oh you shall at multiple times, I hope you can reflect on this offering, and all the others who really care about life, who've offered their respective perceptions. Find Happiness through the turmoil. Be the flowing river of life that cannot be altered other than by choice.
Virtually all other education at an university is not worth the money spent.
Looking for what inspires you as a hobby. Preparing for a job you can tolerate and supports that hobby makes the most financial sense.
One of my good friends from undergrad days went into physics - specializing in lasers. He is now the Chief Scientist and Exhibits Director for an interactive science lab for young people. He is not doing much with lasers or physics; rather, he is using his people-skills to the utmost in bringing in more grant money and in working with other scientists to create new exhibits. Consider a double-major in physics and some specific engineering discipline, then graduate with the engineering degree.
If you must go to university, find a way to get an apprenticeship that brings in good money. Ideally, you walk out with your degree and no debts -- pay as you go. Work your network to find jobs related to your intended degree(s). Your network includes your immediate family, people that you've known over the years, parents of friends -- do whatever you can to get a foot in the door then further develop your network once In the Door.
Additionally -- always be running your Cost to Benefits calculations. You might get half way into your degree and discover an opportunity that has greater benefit as compared to expected benefits on completion of your degree. Jumping off the education track and getting into a position where you are bringing in money and accruing real-world professional experience could be the optimal long term choice.
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