Help...what do I do? Only subject I really enjoy and am good at is Philosophy!

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datalink7

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
Hi all,

So I'm nearing the end of my freshman year at Oregon State Univercity. I am in the pre-cs field of study. I really like computers and technology, but don't seem to be very good at programming. I have been getting like C's in all my CS classes (a C- last semester in one). While at the same time, I get A's in my philosophy classes. I really love philosophy, and writing papers and reading for those classes isn't work.

I really don't know what to do. I'm really struggling in my CS work... I don't know if I want to look at 1000's of lines of code for a living. But I don't really want to teach so a Philosophy Major (I am already getting a minor in it for sure) would jack sh!t.

Aaaahhh I'm going insane here. What should I do? Keep pushing with CS in the hopes that things will become clearer and more fun as I understand the subject more?

Anyone got any ideas they want to share? I would be extremely thankful:)
 
T

tweakmm

Lifer
May 28, 2001
18,436
4
0


<< Keep pushing with CS in the hopes that things will become clearer and more fun as I understand the subject more?
 >>


I'm pretty sure CS isn't the kind of thing that becomes clearer as you get more advanced
 
shiner

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
17,112
1
0


<< I have been getting like C's in all my CS classes (a C- last semester in one >>


Sounds like your primo Microsoft material.
 
datalink7

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81


<<

<< I have been getting like C's in all my CS classes (a C- last semester in one >>


Sounds like your primo Microsoft material. >>



Thanks.
 
C

Cruisin1

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,119
0
71
CS does become more familiar... If you study it. Just like anything new that you come upon it won't make sense at first. CS though might take a while to soak in, yes even a few quarters :) But if your really interested and you study it will become easier. For me calculus was like "uh... wtf?" I got a B in the first class then an F in the second class... took it again got a B then the third calc class (multi-variable calc) I got an A. It's just takes time sometimes unfortuneatly :) But if you truely love Philosophy I guess you should look into it... maybe minor in CS?
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81


<< hmm, philosophy major, go to law school. >>



Agreed.

Do something that truely interests you, and you will be MUCH happier for it. Philosophy degrees can lead to a lot of different careers.
 
H

Hubris

Platinum Member
Jul 14, 2001
2,749
0
0
Yeah, I decided against majoring in a CS field because right now, computers are a hobby of mine, one I enjoy thoroughly. But I knew that if I did it for a living I would grow to loathe them. So I'm majoring in English. :D But I plan on teaching, so it's not going to waste or anything. As for your major, don't force yourself to do something you don't want to/aren't very good at. That way lies spooky carnival death. Follow your gut. Best thing anyone can ever do. Unless your gut tells you to murder people. Then don't listen to it.
 
K

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
3,536
0
0
Philosophy doesn't just lead to a teaching gig. As was mentioned, it's an excellent foundation for law school. Surely you've heard of sophistry? That's all lawyering is.

Also, there are careers in ethics as well as a variety of high-level business administration/consulting jobs. And science is just an application of philosophy. In fact, some schools have dissolved their philosophy departments and created a "philosophy of science", "philosophy of education", "philosophy of art", et. al. classes in their respective departments.
 
K

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
3,536
0
0
BTW, I was a philosophy major for a while. Then it just pissed me off. So much talking about things and not enough doing. That and all the pretentious students and their coffee house discussions of nothing. Of course, I went into philosophy after working as a combat instructor for a time. It was either go back to school or do international security work. I thought I needed to find some perspective in what I was doing in life. Instead, I found that I just needed to live my life and the perspective would happen by itself. Now I make nice websites.
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81


<< all the pretentious students and their coffee house discussions of nothing

lol :D >>



It's SO true though.
 
A

AmazonRasta

Banned
Dec 2, 2000
2,005
1
0
D00d, take philosophy. It's obvious you like to voice your opinion and reason on why things are, and philosophy class is a great place to do so. Major in philosophy. It's better to graduate with an A in that rather than a C- in computer sciences.
 
M

MustPost

Golden Member
May 30, 2001
1,923
0
0
<<<< <B>all the pretentious students and their coffee house discussions of nothing</B>>>

So true
 
W

Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
3,267
0
0
If your not sure about CS then maybe philosophy is a good route to go. I love computers too, but I can?t handle the math and programming that is involved with most CS majors. I decided on technical writing as a major. The problem is in my school technical writing is part of the interdisciplinary studies program. Which means I have to take a bunch of classes unrelated to my interest.

Good luck and think in broader terms than just teaching. How do you feel about politics, religion, law, etc? Maybe there are other venues?

Will
 
K

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
3,536
0
0


<< The problem is in my school technical writing is part of the interdisciplinary studies program. Which means I have to take a bunch of classes unrelated to my interest. >>



Trust me, that's a good thing! I've worked with more technical writers who don't know anything about what they write about. I've always felt that tech writing required an approach like the one your school is taking. You may actually be able to get a job and hold it.
 
D

DevilsAdvocate

Banned
Jul 1, 2000
10,274
2
0
For the love of God....

do not major in philosophy. unless you like the taste and consistency of gov't peanut butter.
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Some good quotes in this thread.. :D

Personally, I'm not quite sure what the point of philosophy is, but if it dings your dong, you could make something of it. If you're struggling at CS, I wouldn't recommend it as a career, since you'll hate it (at best).
 
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