:( So much for a dream :(

[fatal291]

Hey I wanted to be an Astronomer. I'm 17 and about to go to college but I found out that Astronomy's forum of communication is nothing but Math. I could learn Spanish or French faster than that. I am really bad in math, and that's making me sound some what smart. I am just wondering should I attempt to take more math classes I guess in college and continue to try to get to the Astronomy level in math or just find something else. I do have other things I'd like to do but Astronomy is what I'd love to do. I know I should not settle for less like for Math but I don't want to waste time or money if I don't have to. Is their any branch of space study that is not that much math at all? I realize that there is other fields that are important like History, English and obviously Science but I'm not sure how much more important they are than Math.<br /><br />I don't care how long the replies are IMO the longer the better. Thanks.

 

[JonClarke]

I know how you feel. The same happened to me. But be encouraged, <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> there are several options.<br /><br />1) Get into earth sciences and then move into planetary sciences as a post graduate student.<br /><br />2) Do a mix of earth and life sciences and work on astrobiology as a post graduate.<br /><br />3) Do as broad a mix of subjects as possible with a major in science communications with an emphasis on astronomy on space, working in education, outreach, or journalism.<br /><br />4) Do chemistry with an eye to post graduate research in cosmochemistry.<br /><br />5) Do something that will give you a decent salary with spare time and become a top flight amateur astronomer.<br /><br />6) Study history and philosophy of science with an emphasis on astronomy and/or space science and technology. Again sopmething that should be done with an eye either to education, outreach, journalism, or post-grad research.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[search]

If you are 17 and do not need to rush into a job because of money then follow your dream even if it is hard. <br /><br />Many people get stuck to some professions because of need instead of joy. If you now take time to decide and research what you want to do, you will more likely feel accomplished in the future and not wake one day in 20 or so years thinking what the hell am I doing in my job.<br /><br />The question is what do you really like? <br /><br />There are two major areas of study no matter which course you follow or country you live in and they are:<br /><br />Humanistics and Sciences<br /><br />First see throughout your school years in which subjects you were good and which you were not and you will find in which area you will most probably feel more confortable. That does not mean you should choose that area but tells you something about yourself. <br /><br />Once you have done that check the courses and the program and the resulting careers.<br /><br />You are not good in maths because you do not like maths or you do not like maths because you are not good at maths? <br /><br />Maths can be exciting if you practise enough the basics and once you get good at the basics you will be able to enjoy the rest.<br /><br />Did you ask yourself why do you want to be an Astronomer? <br /><br />Sometimes people fancy a profession but they do not realize what it is about. Make sure you know what astronomers do before you try to be one and then if you like it go for it. There are courses which (as it is mentioned in the previous post) can bring you on a paralel track of what you like and you can later change.<br /><br />Dreams never come easy and now time is on your side.

 

[fatal291]

I wanted to do something like planetary physics. Does that involve (a lot) of math? I don't like math because I never got a chance to fully understand the basics. During my school year the teachers often skipped a lot in parts when it came to math and i never really got a chance to catch up because I was trying to stay with them but obviously not knowing the basics I just collapsed under math in about middle school.

 

[qso1]

Lot of good suggestions here. So I'll just add:<br /><br />Too early to give it up if you really want it. May want to consider a math tutor if you are able to afford one. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Don't be scared off by college-level math, either. Give it a try first. A lot of high-school math is too boring to be interesting, or is too tied up in arithmetic, and I think the consequence is that a lot of kids grow up thinking that because they're not human calculators or don't enjoy doing two hundred quadratic equations in a row, they're bad at math. But it's not true. I loathed math, and was convinced that I sucked at it. I never got better than a C -- until I got to college. I took Calculus I and got an A fairly easily. It was amazing how fun and stimulating it was. Plus, although calculus problems tend to take a lot longer to solve than quadratic equations, this very fact makes them less boring. Instead of spending four hours doing 200 nearly identical problems (which is boring after the first three), you get to spend four hours doing one or two problems. It makes you feel like there's actually some point to it.<br /><br />Plus, it's really interesting. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> At least, I thought it was. I still wish I'd kept working on math instead of quitting once I'd fulfilled the minimum requirements for a chemistry major (which I ended up dropping anyway), but at the time I had been planning on an English-Chemistry double major, which didn't leave much time for more math. Especially at a liberal arts school where you have lots and lots of electives that need to be taken in particular areas.<br /><br />So my advice is this: don't let the usual suckiness of high school math turn you off to math in general. It's not just computation. It gets much more interesting after trigonometry. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[spacester]

Well said, Calli.<br /><br />Fatal291, IMO it is much too early in your intellectual development to be sure that you "hate math", especially given that your circumstances seem to have more bearing on your perception then anything else.<br /><br />You owe it to yourself to try College-level math before letting your <i>perception</i> of your ability steer you away from a career you envision yourself enjoying.<br /><br />It is entirely possible that once you get caught up and gain some confidence that you will be just fine in math. Calli's experience is quite common in my observation.<br /><br />Myself, I'm quite good at math, so perhaps you think I cannot understand your situation. And perhaps you are right. But I have made an observation over the years that I hope you take to heart: everyone has their limit in math, it is nothing to be ashamed of to find that limit. You owe it to yourself to find out what that limit is. I can pretty much guarantee, based on my observations over the years, that you do not yet have any idea what your limits might be.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ldyaidan]

You might also try taking your basic college math classes during the summer. You meet every day, which helps keep the info fresh, and the classes are usually smaller. Makes a big difference to be in a class of 30 than in a class of 300. This gives you more of a chance to ask questions, and get help from the instructor outside of class.<br /><br />Rae

 

[JonClarke]

Even if maths are not for you there are other ways into science. Not all science requires advanced mathematics. I did not study mathematics past year 11 and have had a career in geology inlcuding post graduate research. The trick is to find a place you can study that recognises that advanced maths is not needed for all sciences.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[dragon04]

Newton invented the Calculus. Nothing's impossible. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />And nobody says you have to be an Astonomer by age 21. Or 41 even.<br /><br />You're 17. You can take classes here and there and work your way to a degree in Astronomy. There are lots of things you can do even without the maths to head towards your goal.<br /><br />Get a telescope. Learn the night sky. In fact, learn all the basic stuff first until you are well versed in the basic stuff.<br /><br />If math is difficult for you, take it slowly and understand it step by step.<br /><br />Whatever you do, don't give up on your dream. Even if it takes 40 years to get to it.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[kmarinas86]

<font color="yellow">Hey I wanted to be an Astronomer. I'm 17 and about to go to college but I found out that Astronomy's forum of communication is nothing but Math. I could learn Spanish or French faster than that. I am really bad in math, and that's making me sound some what smart. I am just wondering should I attempt to take more math classes I guess in college and continue to try to get to the Astronomy level in math or just find something else. I do have other things I'd like to do but Astronomy is what I'd love to do. I know I should not settle for less like for Math but I don't want to waste time or money if I don't have to. Is their any branch of space study that is not that much math at all? I realize that there is other fields that are important like History, English and obviously Science but I'm not sure how much more important they are than Math.<br /><br />I don't care how long the replies are IMO the longer the better. Thanks.</font><br /><br />Take an introductory course on astronomy that's available in the first or second year of college (preferably the first). The math in such courses are relatively easy. Have dreams about being an Astronomer, not just wants. Forsee the goal, and aim for it. And try to get things right the first time, that will help you a lot if you do, and don't forget to check your work.