So I’ve been going to school on and off for maybe 5 years. I lose steam and get a full time job for awhile, burn out, and go back to school, burn out, work, burn out, school, and on and on.
I’m currently an apprentice painter (construction) making decent money. But my parents are harping on me relentlessly to get back in school and it’s driving me insane to the point where I might actually listen. I come from a family where nobody, extended family included, has less than a bachelor’s degree. I was kind of turned off from school because I HATE being broke all the time, and I’m not really into graduating with a six figure student loan debt and a job at Wendy’s like so many of my peers who went to school. I like painting because it’s fun, decent money, right now, I get paid to learn, and there’s always work. I can also use my knowledge to start my own business at some point. It’s hard to find the patience for a commitment like school, and it’s hard to stay motivated when my pockets are empty and so many painting jobs are available. A seasoned journeyman painter can expect to make 25-30 bucks an hour with full benefits. Not bad.
My parents aren’t having it. Go to school. Go to school. Go to school. Every moment of every day spent with them.
So looking back on the classes I’ve taken, what interested me most? Mathematics. By far. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Every minute of it. I’m good at it. I ace tests. I understand the concepts very well. Homework is something I look forward to. I’ve taken the basic algebra sequence as well as business math (finite mathematics, business calculus). Engineering? Yawn town. Biology? I can’t keep my eyes open. But math (the more complex the better) is where it’s at.
But here’s my problem: I don’t retain it all that well. At least not at first. What happens is, a year or two will go by and I’ll forget how to do certain things. Like right now, I can’t for the life of me remember the rules of exponents in algebra. But what happens is, someone will give me a quick reminder and BOOM, I’m right back at it. I’ve retaken math classes thinking that I needed to, and I end up skipping class 50% of the time and still passing with an A. I’m taking college trig next quarter after not having done math in two years and I’m not the least bit concerned. All I have to do is ask for a quick reminder and I’m off. My question is, first, should I listen to my parents, and if so, how do I stay motivated with an empty wallet? Second, will my temporary math amnesia cause me problems when I seek employment in math related fields, and if so, what can I do to keep my knowledge fresh between graduation and employment?
Thanks for reading my book.
beer and steak are part of expenses. That’s non-negotiable. I’m not eating ramen. Never.