Ribh's D'Coopage

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

Jeannie, a degree simply proves one's ability to learn. Mine is in Aeronautics, yet every since I've retired from the Air Force, I've worked in computer science.

 

[BY Bob]

Well friends, I think I have chosen the wrong major. So far I have hated both the major subjects I have undertaken while I have loved the archaeology, which technically I shouldn't be taking @ all. I see a messy change on my horizon. Last assignment, on calibration [which I do not understand @ all!] I scored higher than the class average, mostly due, I think, to the fact the essay question I actually understood, enjoyed reading about & could talk about sensibly rather than reverting to the good old Aussie standbyes of those whatchmacallits, thingyamy~bobs & do~dads. I also finally got a tut where I felt I could contribute sensibly. What's not to love about finding hippo teeth & ostrich eggs on the bottom of the ocean? Mind you, our main lecturer has the terrifying habit of running his tuts by asking questions & as is to be expected we have all rather been stunned mullet. No~one ever wants to be in the firing line. Boats, however, I understand, simply because I have had to deal with them all my life & if you won't put a proper keel on the jolly thing it's bound to sink like a stone in more than a trickle of a breeze. I waxed quite lyrical. As I've been pretty silent up to this point I think I shocked everyone. But what on earth does one do with an archaeology degree. And I thought an English major was bad!

I am so sorry that you are feeling you have made a mistake. This is a big project you have taken on. However there is nothing that says you have to finish in this major. Have you started considering alternative choices yet?

 

[RoyalChick]

Well friends, I think I have chosen the wrong major. So far I have hated both the major subjects I have undertaken while I have loved the archaeology, which technically I shouldn't be taking @ all. I see a messy change on my horizon. Last assignment, on calibration [which I do not understand @ all!] I scored higher than the class average, mostly due, I think, to the fact the essay question I actually understood, enjoyed reading about & could talk about sensibly rather than reverting to the good old Aussie standbyes of those whatchmacallits, thingyamy~bobs & do~dads. I also finally got a tut where I felt I could contribute sensibly. What's not to love about finding hippo teeth & ostrich eggs on the bottom of the ocean? Mind you, our main lecturer has the terrifying habit of running his tuts by asking questions & as is to be expected we have all rather been stunned mullet. No~one ever wants to be in the firing line. Boats, however, I understand, simply because I have had to deal with them all my life & if you won't put a proper keel on the jolly thing it's bound to sink like a stone in more than a trickle of a breeze. I waxed quite lyrical. As I've been pretty silent up to this point I think I shocked everyone. But what on earth does one do with an archaeology degree. And I thought an English major was bad!

Oh don’t get down about it. I lost the plot on what your major is, and I thought archeology was driving you nuts (wasn’t that the carbon dating course?).
That said unless you are doing a degree in dentistry or medicine or some such vocationally oriented thing I am not sure it matters. The degree is about proving that you have the aptitude to apply yourself and think critically and that sort of thing.

 

[Ribh]

Jeannie, a degree simply proves one's ability to learn. Mine is in Aeronautics, yet every since I've retired from the Air Force, I've worked in computer science.

I'm not sure that's true anymore, Bob, in the sense employers don't buy it. So many grads can't apply knowledge in practical ways. I had a lovely proff when I was doing my BA but he couldn't change a car tire.

I am so sorry that you are feeling you have made a mistake. This is a big project you have taken on. However there is nothing that says you have to finish in this major. Have you started considering alternative choices yet?

I'm not sure I have made a mistake, Bob. So frustrating. Archaeology, which I'm constantly drawn to, has been moving into the hard sciences for some time. I can't go there. I'm still considering a double. I'm considering dropping back to part time next year as I'm barely coping with the workload ~ which is an age thing. What I'd love to do is forget the degree & just take a bunch of subjects that interest me but sadly that's not on. I could change completely to English, but I have an aversion to some of the greats in literature: Dickens & Hardy are just completely depressing. I could change to archaeology, which I have enjoyed however crazy making it has been.

Oh don’t get down about it. I lost the plot on what your major is, and I thought archeology was driving you nuts (wasn’t that the carbon dating course?).
That said unless you are doing a degree in dentistry or medicine or some such vocationally oriented thing I am not sure it matters. The degree is about proving that you have the aptitude to apply yourself and think critically and that sort of thing.

You're quite right RC. Every time archaeology moves into the sciences I loose it. You should have heard my explanation on how we can determine where an organic material originated! I understood the gist but don't have the scientific language to explain it without sounding completely insane! On the other hand, there is social archaeology & theoretical archaeology & that's where you get into hippo teeth & ostrich eggs & green eyeshadow on Neolithic people. It moves into things like folk museums which are about trying to reconstruct things from what we know to see if & how they worked. I could wallow there happily & indefinitely. What I actually need to do is talk to the archaeology year co~ordinator but while lovely he's male & I'm having difficulties in that area just now. Our mental health system is in crisis thanks to covid & the therapist I was seeing for the PTSD has had a medical emergency & there are, quite literally, no openings anywhere with another. One way or another time alone will sort it all out.

 

[MaryJanet]

Well friends, I think I have chosen the wrong major. So far I have hated both the major subjects I have undertaken while I have loved the archaeology, which technically I shouldn't be taking @ all. I see a messy change on my horizon. Last assignment, on calibration [which I do not understand @ all!] I scored higher than the class average, mostly due, I think, to the fact the essay question I actually understood, enjoyed reading about & could talk about sensibly rather than reverting to the good old Aussie standbyes of those whatchmacallits, thingyamy~bobs & do~dads. I also finally got a tut where I felt I could contribute sensibly. What's not to love about finding hippo teeth & ostrich eggs on the bottom of the ocean? Mind you, our main lecturer has the terrifying habit of running his tuts by asking questions & as is to be expected we have all rather been stunned mullet. No~one ever wants to be in the firing line. Boats, however, I understand, simply because I have had to deal with them all my life & if you won't put a proper keel on the jolly thing it's bound to sink like a stone in more than a trickle of a breeze. I waxed quite lyrical. As I've been pretty silent up to this point I think I shocked everyone. But what on earth does one do with an archaeology degree. And I thought an English major was bad!

Follow your interests! Even if it gets messy.

Doesn't matter about career path, simply being a learner is beneficial.

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh don’t get down about it. I lost the plot on what your major is, and I thought archeology was driving you nuts (wasn’t that the carbon dating course?).
That said unless you are doing a degree in dentistry or medicine or some such vocationally oriented thing I am not sure it matters. The degree is about proving that you have the aptitude to apply yourself and think critically and that sort of thing.

 

[Shadrach]

'm not sure that's true anymore, Bob, in the sense employers don't buy it. So many grads can't apply knowledge in practical ways. I had a lovely proff when I was doing my BA but he couldn't change a car tire.

If I had a pound for every academic I know who fits this I would have at least a tenner.
I have a theory.
The brain has a limited capacity and the beliefe that what one does is of major importance seems to increase the deeper one gets into a subject. The Ivory tower saying is very apt. The problem is when those that live in them try and operate in the real world.

 

[Ribh]

Follow your interests! Even if it gets messy.

Doesn't matter about career path, simply being a learner is beneficial.

Thanks, MJ. I was much clearer about my direction last degree. This time I can't seem to make up my mind & stick to it.

 

[Ribh]

If I had a pound for every academic I know who fits this I would have at least a tenner.
I have a theory.
The brain has a limited capacity and the beliefe that what one does is of major importance seems to increase the deeper one gets into a subject. The Ivory tower saying is very apt. The problem is when those that live in them try and operate in the real world.

So sad ~ & so true. Unfortunately I find a lot of acadamia pompous & so exquisitely funny ~ a tendency I have to curb while amongst them.

 

[MaryJanet]

If I had a pound for every academic I know who fits this I would have at least a tenner.
I have a theory.
The brain has a limited capacity and the beliefe that what one does is of major importance seems to increase the deeper one gets into a subject. The Ivory tower saying is very apt. The problem is when those that live in them try and operate in the real world.

The thing about undertaking the very long journey to highly specialised knowledge creation that contributes to humanity, is that you end up with very few people to talk to about it. And you end up in very high demand with a bananas schedule, decision fatigue, communication fatigue, and no time for taking up practical skills.