I'm embarrassed to post this, but I'm nearing 30 years old and I have no degree. I've been to four colleges and the same thing happens every time. I fail.
I've been desperately searching for any method in which I can get a degree. I do work, and have 1.5 jobs. But I think I could earn more money with a degree.
My main problem is that I can't quite translate what the teacher is telling me to do. I can interpret what they say literally, which would result in complete chaos. Or I could try to guess using cues from other students. For things like psychology, history, I do really well. I can reference materials, use my current knowledge, and lots of other resources.
For mathematics, it just doesn't work. They always want a problem solved THEIR way, and the solution expressed in their own specific way, without any explanation or defining the system. I can't get around introductory algebra at the college level, which infuriates me, because I know calculus and enjoy geometry.
Another problem I have is that teachers are quite often wrong. I had a long discussion with an astronomy teacher regarding the Mean Free Path that photons take in a star. I argued that their calculation was incorrect and didn't account for convection in the plasma. There are a million other examples where I'm RIGHT....but still wrong in their eyes. In some aspects, it is like learning math and science all over again.
"Express your answer in decimal form and round to the...." I'm sorry? Why are we approximating? An approximation is not the exact answer, therefore it is wrong. Why do I round? Is there some sort of placeholder limitation? Is there an aspect to the equation everyone else knows that I don't?
"Show your work." Why? You want me to draw a number line to express why 3^6 is 729? Even if it is right, I'm not right unless I explain it? In my work, would you like a proof?
"That isn't the answer we are looking for." Because your limited understanding of science doesn't allow for the correct solution. You take your eleven year old text book as truth, and refuse to explore modern knowledge. Why should I respect anything you say, or expect it to hold value, when you obviously don't investigate what you read? Further more, on your tests, would you like me to put the correct answer as option "E", and circle it? Or should I just regurgitate the same nonsense you've taught for sixty years?
I had to rant a little, sorry. Obviously I have a problem that works as a roadblock to getting a degree. Ideally I'd love to do engineering or astrophysics, but I have the worst time trying to interpret the experience. Anytime I'm 100% sure I've taken the most logical step, followed the most efficient calculation, I get red pen marks all over my paper and a failing grade.
I've been desperately searching for any method in which I can get a degree. I do work, and have 1.5 jobs. But I think I could earn more money with a degree.
My main problem is that I can't quite translate what the teacher is telling me to do. I can interpret what they say literally, which would result in complete chaos. Or I could try to guess using cues from other students. For things like psychology, history, I do really well. I can reference materials, use my current knowledge, and lots of other resources.
For mathematics, it just doesn't work. They always want a problem solved THEIR way, and the solution expressed in their own specific way, without any explanation or defining the system. I can't get around introductory algebra at the college level, which infuriates me, because I know calculus and enjoy geometry.
Another problem I have is that teachers are quite often wrong. I had a long discussion with an astronomy teacher regarding the Mean Free Path that photons take in a star. I argued that their calculation was incorrect and didn't account for convection in the plasma. There are a million other examples where I'm RIGHT....but still wrong in their eyes. In some aspects, it is like learning math and science all over again.
"Express your answer in decimal form and round to the...." I'm sorry? Why are we approximating? An approximation is not the exact answer, therefore it is wrong. Why do I round? Is there some sort of placeholder limitation? Is there an aspect to the equation everyone else knows that I don't?
"Show your work." Why? You want me to draw a number line to express why 3^6 is 729? Even if it is right, I'm not right unless I explain it? In my work, would you like a proof?
"That isn't the answer we are looking for." Because your limited understanding of science doesn't allow for the correct solution. You take your eleven year old text book as truth, and refuse to explore modern knowledge. Why should I respect anything you say, or expect it to hold value, when you obviously don't investigate what you read? Further more, on your tests, would you like me to put the correct answer as option "E", and circle it? Or should I just regurgitate the same nonsense you've taught for sixty years?
I had to rant a little, sorry. Obviously I have a problem that works as a roadblock to getting a degree. Ideally I'd love to do engineering or astrophysics, but I have the worst time trying to interpret the experience. Anytime I'm 100% sure I've taken the most logical step, followed the most efficient calculation, I get red pen marks all over my paper and a failing grade.