ITT academic advice

[Reincarnate]

Ask anything, go

[rushyrulz]

What should I major in? I'm good at math and science and I like computers. History and english can smd.

[who_cares973]

Originally Posted by rushyrulz

What should I major in? I'm good at math and science and I like computers. History and english can smd.

computer science

[Reincarnate]

Originally Posted by rushyrulz

What should I major in? I'm good at math and science and I like computers. History and english can smd.

Computer science, physics, or finance

[leonid]

History of Computer

[OneHandNow]

obvious answers are obvious

here's a good academic tip

this is for you middle schoolers and freshmen in high school

cut the booze, cut the drugs, cut the retarded friends
make some smarter friends, put academics as your priority
strive for a 2400, a 4.0 unweighted
take challenging courses like AP/IB courses
pursue a sport, maybe an instrument if you're already good at one
join clubs that don't suck (preferably sports or debate)



surround yourself with SMART people (the nerds, 4.0s, 2300+s)


you'll thank yourself later on when you get into a prestigious private school / state school while your friends in high school get held back / go to colleges that are worse than yours

good colleges have good reputation for a reason

[who_cares973]

Originally Posted by OneHandNow

obvious answers are obvious

here's a good academic tip

this is for you middle schoolers and freshmen in high school

cut the booze, cut the drugs, cut the retarded friends
make some smarter friends, put academics as your priority
strive for a 2400, a 4.0 unweighted
take challenging courses like AP/IB courses
pursue a sport, maybe an instrument if you're already good at one
join clubs that don't suck (preferably sports or debate)



surround yourself with SMART people (the nerds, 4.0s, 2300+s)


you'll thank yourself later on when you get into a prestigious private school / state school while your friends in high school get held back / go to colleges that are worse than yours

good colleges have good reputation for a reason

dont slack off and think of the future. dont be like me. sure i have the brains but when scores are what matter i ****ed myself over by not caring

[Reincarnate]

Originally Posted by OneHandNow

obvious answers are obvious

here's a good academic tip

this is for you middle schoolers and freshmen in high school

cut the booze, cut the drugs, cut the retarded friends
make some smarter friends, put academics as your priority
strive for a 2400, a 4.0 unweighted
take challenging courses like AP/IB courses
pursue a sport, maybe an instrument if you're already good at one
join clubs that don't suck (preferably sports or debate)



surround yourself with SMART people (the nerds, 4.0s, 2300+s)


you'll thank yourself later on when you get into a prestigious private school / state school while your friends in high school get held back / go to colleges that are worse than yours

good colleges have good reputation for a reason

while I largely agree with OHN's points, I think they need some more realistic modifications/additions:

1. Cutting booze/drugs is usually a good idea. You can keep retarded friends as long as you also keep smart friends.

2. Definitely prioritize academics. If you go through school not giving a crap, you are going to be passing up on some great opportunities.

3. Striving for a 2400 and a 4.0 GPA isn't necessary. This is an overachieving goal that isn't feasible for most people. Instead, just focus on doing your absolute best -- push your limits. Having decent scores/GPAs will get you access to a huge number of great schools.

4. Take the most challenging courseload that you can. Rigor is looked at very, very favorably.

5. It's better to be really, really involved in just a few extracurriculars than it is to be involved in a ton of meaningless ones. Speech and Debate is a great one to get involved with, as are computer science clubs, science teams, orchestras, community service projects, state/national competitions, sports, etc. Don't force yourself to sludge through a particular activity if you hate it. For instance, I was not involved in any sports whatsoever. I was largely involved in cultural honor societies, digital media clubs, computer science clubs, speech and debate, and art clubs.

6. Surrounding yourself with driven, intelligent people is one of the best things you can do. The competition will help keep you stimulated, and it's easier to become successful if you're following similar paths of other successful, smart people.

7. Be active in your classes and develop relationships with your teachers. You'll need to get letters of recommendation at some point, and it's much easier to get good recs if the teachers actually KNOW you and what you can do.

[Rubin0]

Rubix couldn't stay away for more than five minutes.

[bmah]

^is that how you got your username?_?
<not you Rubin, stop ninja'ing me>

Anyways, don't forget about practical knowledge - try to find a job that may relate to your field...although this can be hard (perhaps go for an internship in this case).

[who_cares973]

Originally Posted by bmah

^is that how you got your username?_?.

more or less. i saw no reason to get good grades or try because they werent affecting my immediate future. that doesnt mean i didnt learn what i was taught i just didnt care to apply myself

[Reincarnate]

Originally Posted by who_cares973

more or less. i saw no reason to get good grades or try because they werent affecting my immediate future. that doesnt mean i didnt learn what i was taught i just didnt care to apply myself

This is still pretty dangerous. A lot of opportunities close, here. Some places won't even accept people for interviews unless they graduate from a certain type of school or have a certain level of academic achievement. It's a huge drag to have to pass up a great opportunity because you don't have the grades.

That being said, though, not all is lost. If you're truly a smart guy, you can still learn how to advance your skills by reading, researching, practicing, and getting involved. If you can immerse yourself in your craft and develop a decent portfolio to showcase your skills, you can land great jobs without having the grades.

It also helps to know people. People with brains who are in power can always give you a leg up... given that you're capable enough to actually handle the job you're after.

[who_cares973]

Originally Posted by Reincarnate

That being said, though, not all is lost. If you're truly a smart guy, you can still learn how to advance your skills by reading, researching, practicing, and getting involved. If you can immerse yourself in your craft and develop a decent portfolio to showcase your skills, you can land great jobs without having the grades.

It also helps to know people. People with brains who are in power can always give you a leg up... given that you're capable enough to actually handle the job you're after.

yeah i have a couple doors with a crack open i just need to take some classes to open the doors all the way. it helps if you know how to make yourself like a great asset regardless of background.

[cry4eternity]

Is getting 314987 minors worth it?

[Reincarnate]

Originally Posted by cry4eternity

Is getting 314987 minors worth it?

not really

go for another major instead of a bunch of minors. Minors don't count much for anything unless they give you skills that you can invoke in an interview/on the job.

[Kekeb]

oops

[OneHandNow]

ps) for you people out there attending high school full of people that just don't give a crap about academics, be the outlier - you'll feel awesome when people look up to you for your grades and your scores, esp. in high school

in college that won't really matter, but it's the most awesome feeling in the world. sure, the guy over there might be admired for having a hot as **** girlfriend and partying every single weekend but he doesn't have your scores, and chances are you'll end up living a better life (both in terms of wealth & personal satisfaction)

work work work in high school
4 years that decide 50 years
one shot one chance



pss) i'm only saying these things because i was raised in a very competitive environment in a school where the top 25% hold a 3.97~4.00 UW gpa range, so yeah.

[trumaestro]

Originally Posted by OneHandNow

work in high school

rofl whoops

[DossarLX ODI]

Originally Posted by Sullyman2007

i ****ed up bad in high school. trust me, trying to half-ass your way through those four years will only serve to bite you in the ass when all is said and done. also try to be involved in at least one-two extra curricular activities because admissions LOVE that. basically the best advice is mostly stuff you've already heard a thousand times, you just got a little numb to the preaching.

Originally Posted by rushyrulz

My grades freshman year were enough to land me a 3.48 GPA instead of the 3.5 needed for my $2500/yr scholarship. I got the highest grades I possibly could senior year and they weren't enough. Shame.

Originally Posted by trumaestro

rofl whoops

Really makes me wonder how this even happens, especially since I try all the time.

[Wineandbread]

I support Reincarnate's modified points pretty much 100%.

Just some things on my part for high school, cause I'm not coul enough to give college/grad advice yet:

- Make connections, even in high school. This is something I skimped a little on but they are nice to have, both at the student and faculty level (I know a kid who consults with his high school teacher sometimes for his programming homework in college LoL). You don't have to try to hang out with smart/driven people if you feel uncomfortable around them; I know for me at least I had an alternate social sphere with people whose interests were more similar to mine.

- Do the god damn homework. This is like one thing that plagued my school and I don't even get why. Homework is like super easy points in HS and it's really not a big deal, even in AP courses. Saved some of my borderline B grades and gives you a nice buffer for the stuff that matters. This may kinda fluctuate between teachers considerably but honestly, it will not EVER get that bad unless you're attending a school from hell (feel free to correct me, I felt like I had average-ish coursework throughout high school)

- Am I going to tell you not to procrastinate? Maybe. Is it going to work? Of course not. Personally I think it is fine to procrastinate, just not extremely so. By extreme, I mainly mean just missing due dates. Getting up and skipping breakfast to finish homework every once in a while isn't an amazing experience but hey.