Yeah, humanities nowadays are a joke. Even so, as a hotshot, never studying, rarely attending class Honors Computer Engineering major, I've had my butt seriously kicked by philosophy courses on Hegel and Aristotle. When Aristotle says that the contemplative life is the most difficult, he wasn't joking.
I wish it was that easy for me. Following your method has left me with a 2.9 GPA. 1 tick bellow what I need for my scholarship. But I got to say, the Computer/Elec engineers at my school (Clemson) have a less BS stuff to do, first year atleast. All the civilies do is mess with Excel.
I appreciate your comments. My point for the post was to sarcastically bring criticisms to the education that I as well as a good number of undergraduates experience. I think there are fundamental problems with the system and that's what I've been trying to address in the last handful of blogs about education, and that's what I'm going to try to continue doing with these blogs.
I agree that humility is one of the most important things to keep in your mind. I am very greatful for the opportunities that I've been given, and honestly I don't consider myself to be any different than anyone else. I was at the right place at the right time and did my best to work as hard as possible. Given that, there are a number of things that I've encountered over the years that I think could use improvement - and a lot of them involve the education system. My humor wasn't intended to be egotistical, rather satirical. I apologize if I haven't been conveying that enough.
I'm just guessing, but going by the fact that you have already accomplished more in your short life than most do their whole lifetime, you are probably have an above average work ethic, above average intelligence, have had an above average education and last and most improtant, have a good memory. I bet it's also a good guess that you were brought up in an environment where education was enocuraged and respected. Keep in mind that not everyone was brought up with those advantages... Don't lose your humility! It's what makes you different.
Anand, Depends on what major / classes we're talking about in Humanities. I used to be a CompSci major (now I'm doubling in Legal Studies and Business/Economics) and I find it to be no easier than CompSci in terms of testing. That being said however, there ARE certain majors within the social sciences...(Communications for example) which do follow your rule. Good luck with your test!
Sorry I missed your post earlier; Computer and Electrical Engineering are inherently very similar, a good CE program will have more of a focus on computers obviously (don't get this confused with computer science which is much more software/math/algorithm driven). I'd do a lot of research into the program you're trying to get into, ask graduates and make sure you're prepared to do work that honestly doesn't pertain to what you're interested in learning. Prepare yourself mentally for the experience.
If you want to get into game design (from an art standpoint) then you'll want to listen to Flexicon's advice. If you want to get into game development in general, teach yourself a programming language and take a *lot* of math/logic courses in college. I have yet to meet an excellent programmer, especially a game developer, who has recommended becoming a computer science major to make it in the game industry. You'll find that you're better off teaching yourself how to write the games and taking classes to fill in the math blanks that you'll have.
Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
GhandiInstinct, anyone can learn to draw if they really commit to learning. Start with the excellent book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. Be patient and practice; you'll be shocked at how proficient you can become in a very short period of time.
Sure, not trying to stir anything up, I believe you (you should only believe engineers - humanities majors lie, that's where we get marketing people from :)...).
And my methods weren't supposed to be perfect, rough enough to make it simple but still get the job done. I'm sure the engineering readers got my drift despite the grammatical incorrectness ;)
kashirat
It's not that hard per se, it's just a lot of work and a lot of complex math. That being said, it's still stuff that I feel can be governed by the three rules I mentioned in the blog :)
Hehe... Sorry, I didn't mean to stir anything up! :) Just wanted to represent the humanities interest here...
One nit-picky lawyerly/humanities comment -- your post doesn't work, grammatically. Changing the the phrase "day before" to "day of" gives you "All homework can be done (well) the day of it is due." So much for it all being too easy... :)
Hehe. Sorry 'bout that! Hope the humanities test went well!
Booo... Just because you run a tech site, you think you can hate on humanities majors? I know where you live. And I know where your fiancee lives, too. ;)
<--- graduated with a history degree and is now in law school -- you know you need us! :)
So very very true. Humanities has always and will always be a joke. Anyone who struggles or does badly in those courses should not even be in college at all.
<--- is about to graduate with a degree in Computer Engineering and Chemistry.
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21 Comments
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Anonymous - Monday, April 19, 2004 - link
I go to Clemson as well.Im currently a sophmore(not for long :D) with a 3.3 GPA. The night before method has long served me well.
sujit - Thursday, April 1, 2004 - link
Yeah, humanities nowadays are a joke. Even so, as a hotshot, never studying, rarely attending class Honors Computer Engineering major, I've had my butt seriously kicked by philosophy courses on Hegel and Aristotle. When Aristotle says that the contemplative life is the most difficult, he wasn't joking.Wishing you the best,
Sujit
dvinnen - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
I wish it was that easy for me. Following your method has left me with a 2.9 GPA. 1 tick bellow what I need for my scholarship. But I got to say, the Computer/Elec engineers at my school (Clemson) have a less BS stuff to do, first year atleast. All the civilies do is mess with Excel.Anand Lal Shimpi - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
#17I appreciate your comments. My point for the post was to sarcastically bring criticisms to the education that I as well as a good number of undergraduates experience. I think there are fundamental problems with the system and that's what I've been trying to address in the last handful of blogs about education, and that's what I'm going to try to continue doing with these blogs.
I agree that humility is one of the most important things to keep in your mind. I am very greatful for the opportunities that I've been given, and honestly I don't consider myself to be any different than anyone else. I was at the right place at the right time and did my best to work as hard as possible. Given that, there are a number of things that I've encountered over the years that I think could use improvement - and a lot of them involve the education system. My humor wasn't intended to be egotistical, rather satirical. I apologize if I haven't been conveying that enough.
Take care,
Anand
me - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
I'm just guessing, but going by the fact that you have already accomplished more in your short life than most do their whole lifetime, you are probably have an above average work ethic, above average intelligence, have had an above average education and last and most improtant, have a good memory. I bet it's also a good guess that you were brought up in an environment where education was enocuraged and respected. Keep in mind that not everyone was brought up with those advantages... Don't lose your humility! It's what makes you different.niranjan - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
Anand,Depends on what major / classes we're talking about in Humanities. I used to be a CompSci major (now I'm doubling in Legal Studies and Business/Economics) and I find it to be no easier than CompSci in terms of testing. That being said however, there ARE certain majors within the social sciences...(Communications for example) which do follow your rule. Good luck with your test!
Anand Lal Shimpi - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
GhandiInstinctSorry I missed your post earlier; Computer and Electrical Engineering are inherently very similar, a good CE program will have more of a focus on computers obviously (don't get this confused with computer science which is much more software/math/algorithm driven). I'd do a lot of research into the program you're trying to get into, ask graduates and make sure you're prepared to do work that honestly doesn't pertain to what you're interested in learning. Prepare yourself mentally for the experience.
If you want to get into game design (from an art standpoint) then you'll want to listen to Flexicon's advice. If you want to get into game development in general, teach yourself a programming language and take a *lot* of math/logic courses in college. I have yet to meet an excellent programmer, especially a game developer, who has recommended becoming a computer science major to make it in the game industry. You'll find that you're better off teaching yourself how to write the games and taking classes to fill in the math blanks that you'll have.
Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
Take care,
Anand
Flexicon - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
GhandiInstinct, anyone can learn to draw if they really commit to learning. Start with the excellent book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. Be patient and practice; you'll be shocked at how proficient you can become in a very short period of time.Anand Lal Shimpi - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
CoreesateenaSure, not trying to stir anything up, I believe you (you should only believe engineers - humanities majors lie, that's where we get marketing people from :)...).
And my methods weren't supposed to be perfect, rough enough to make it simple but still get the job done. I'm sure the engineering readers got my drift despite the grammatical incorrectness ;)
kashirat
It's not that hard per se, it's just a lot of work and a lot of complex math. That being said, it's still stuff that I feel can be governed by the three rules I mentioned in the blog :)
Take care,
Anand
kashirat - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
Man... I thought engineering was supposed to be difficult? :PI'm in my 3rd year of Computer Science and I spend 15 hours a day at school literally every day ( for the past 3 weeks )...
.... Maybe its just me :)
Coreesateena - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
Crap. I just saw the typo in my own comment re grammar... Phooey.Coreesateena - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
Hehe... Sorry, I didn't mean to stir anything up! :) Just wanted to represent the humanities interest here...One nit-picky lawyerly/humanities comment -- your post doesn't work, grammatically. Changing the the phrase "day before" to "day of" gives you "All homework can be done (well) the day of it is due." So much for it all being too easy... :)
Hehe. Sorry 'bout that! Hope the humanities test went well!
Anand Lal Shimpi - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
CoreesateenaI wasn't hating on humanities majors, I just said that the classes are easy :)
Actually one of my favorite classes of my undergrad career was a history class.
You humanities people...always trying to stir up trouble... ;)
Coreesateena - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - link
Booo...Just because you run a tech site, you think you can hate on humanities majors?
I know where you live. And I know where your fiancee lives, too. ;)
<--- graduated with a history degree and is now in law school -- you know you need us! :)
yknott - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
So very very true. Humanities has always and will always be a joke. Anyone who struggles or does badly in those courses should not even be in college at all.<--- is about to graduate with a degree in Computer Engineering and Chemistry.
twinky - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
Bwahahahah! So very true.<----- is about to graduate with a degree in Chemical Engineering
GhandiInstinct - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
Any advice for a Senior in H.S. wanting to take Computer Engineering or Game Design but is a bad drawer or maybe electrical engineering?Damien Sorresso - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
You study for humanities classes? I do something called "bullshitting."Holger Eilhard - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
Oh my... *lol*Holger, who has not done so good in the last time :( *dreaming-of-passing-tests*
wassup4u2 - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
So true...boonesmi - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - link
lol