Return of the Revenge of the Son of Saying Hi to Josiah!

[Stevenson]

I realize that this is probably all a bit too much discussion on your personal life, Saber, but, well, I can't resist putting my two cents in, as well.

If helping people is your desire, and math is your skill, well, why not help people with math? For example, plenty of engineers put their skills towards designing things to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Aloha.

[Saber Knight]

Hey.

I realize that this is probably all a bit too much discussion on your personal life, Saber, but, well, I can't resist putting my two cents in, as well.

I don't mind. I put stuff about my personal life on here with the expectation that it'll be discussed. Hey, I've been trying so hard to find answers. I'm desperate. I'll take any input whatsoever.

My original idea with engineering was to design something that would help less fortunate people, but now that just seems too abstract and like it'll never happen because I have no idea what that something would be. At all. And if I go into Materials Science Engineering, I really don't see a way for that to help people in need. Or with ChemE. Or Comp Sci. Which are the choices I've narrowed it down to. Kind of. Not really.

The idea of helping other people through the kind of crap several of my friends and I have gone through sounds kind of meaningful, though. I don't know. That seems too spontaneous and would require such a drastic academic change.

Arrgghhh I wish I knew what I wanted.

[Josiah]

Hi! Egineers can be very helpful. They design buildings, technology, and all sorts of other things (depending on what type of engineer) that improves peoples' lives. I like to think I improve peoples' lives in some small way with my writing and game design. There have been books and games that have really inspired me and given me lots of fun times, so I want to do that for others. Heck, even garbage men improve peoples' lives by disposing of trash. You don't have to be a therapist or Mother Teresa make the world a better place.

Also, keep in mind that you don't neccessarily need to help people as part of your job. Lots of people do volunteer work, counselling, and the like as a hobby.

[Silver]

You don't need to be a professional therapist to help people by talking to them. Start a support blog, make an inspiring youtube video. Just being able to say "I've been through this and it gets better" is all people need to hear sometimes. You'll be able to say that without going to school for it.

[Giga-Gar]

So, I'm going to be a senior next year, and for the college I go to i have to write what basically amounts to a senior thesis in order to graduate. Kinda important for grad school programs and the like. I'm basically going to use you all as a sound board for my idea. Also, for back ground, I'm a Greek and Roman Studies major with a concentration in Material Culture. Think archaeology, but don't think Indiana Jones. Just...just don't.

Anyway, I want to study Roman infrastructure. Specifically Roman road systems. More specifically than that, I want to focus on a road between the Italian peninsula and, say Gaul, or maybe the infrastructure within the provinces. My paper would basically be focusing on how often it was used, did it ever need maintenance and if so, what kind and how often? Using the specific road as an example, how would ideas and information be transferred across the Empire? How long would it take even?

Any thoughts? Josiah, you're the professor here(albeit in a completely different field), would you think this would work?

[shauni]

Giga-Gar, to star, love the Doctor avatar

I have no idea what I want for my future.

I'm 27/ 28 in April and I still don't know exactly what I want to do with my life long term. I know I want kids, but 5 years ago I didn't even think about that. My sister had a kid, and then when I saw them together, I knew I wanted that. When I was 18 I went through something similar to you, and I didn't go to University because I didn't want to get stuck doing Psychology as I was unsure if that is what I really wanted to do. My "year out" turned into 10 years at the same company, but you know what, I worked my way up here in I.T and now I like my job. I stated as a low office junior, went to taking on all the I.T administration, was the I.T bosses PA for a long time and now I'm a I.T. Support Technician in training. i'm often left in charge of the whole sight for I.T support if there are holidays or illnesses. I regret not going to Uni, but I'm also am happy I didn't, as I don't have any debt during this bad rescission and a steady job. I can't afford my own place, but I'm saving up for it, and I'm even doing things I've put off that I've always wanted to do, like go to Japan. Your job is not your be all and end all. If you find something you like to do every day, stick with it as that's what gets you through life.

Basically, don't sweat the big stuff to much, like "why am I here" and "What do I want to do". You will find the answers in due course, so just stick with what makes you happy and even if it feels wrong at some point, things usually work themselves out with time.

And don't forget your family, they should know you well, and you can always talk to them.

As for helping people, everyone is right, my job is I.T but I feel satisfied if someone has that horrible moment when they think they have broken something and I fix it, and they can relax and not stress. Even just taking messages on the phone helps out people you work with. Sometimes helping people in the small ways makes the big difference. Engineering is a good route to help people, but like already said, go to soup kitchens or give blood. Every little helps.

[Stevenson]

Aloha. Well Gar, I have to say that's probably the most specific thesis I've ever heard of. Although, my girlfriend wrote a thesis essentially about Arthurian bromances, so I can't really judge.

But the question I have for you is, can you really squeeze twenty-odd pages out of one road?

[Saber Knight]

Hey.

And don't forget your family, they should know you well, and you can always talk to them.

This is unfortunately very not true. When I went through depression in high school, I kept it hidden from nearly everyone, my folks included. I've tried to breach the subject with them, but they very much just don't get it, so I haven't really opened up to them about it. It's hard, to be fair, to get it when you've never experienced it. I'm toying with the idea of telling my dad I see a counselor now, but I know my mom would totally freak out, and I don't want that to happen.

After a night's rest, though, I'm feeling less freaked out about everything, which is good. Hopefully that feeling will stick with me. Thanks for the input on everything, guys. Y'all are the best. I'm still trying to find answers for myself, but I'll put less emphasis on that and more on just appreciating the life I have right now and all the friends and stuff--that's gotta be some way to happiness, or something.

I know a lot of what dragged all that up yesterday is part of the reason I was broken up with (obviously there were many more) is that I had no idea what I wanted for my future--it wasn't something I was thinking about, whereas my senior ex was most certainly thinking hard about it, and knew what she wanted. Seeing the whole little thing about my ex and her ex that aren't really exes anymore living together in Japan next year just kind of dragged that whole thing back up again about me not knowing what I want, despite that, now, I I've thought hard about it, yet still have no answers. The "not knowing what I want" thing had also been brought up earlier in the relationship more than once, so now I guess I've got it in my mind that I need to know what I want before I can find a good relationship again.

BUT ENOUGH CHIT CHAT, I'VE GOT TO PACK! BACK TO CORNELL FOR ME!

[shauni]

but they very much just don't get it

I know that feeling. I don't have depression but....other things I've been getting counselling for, and I finally talked about it with my Mum. She didn't really get it either, but you'd be surprised how much of a relief it was to talk to her about it. Maybe tell your Dad if you feel up to it, and see how you go from there.

You would be surprised what a parent can cope with about there children, given time to get over the shock.

[Cheezdude]

On three separate occasions over the last three days I've had people act surprised when they learned how old I was. I asked some people how old I look. 13 and 14 are the answers I'm getting. This is the stupidest thing to be angsty about but that's not stopping me auugh. I asked the girl I liked. She laughed and said "What do you want me to say, Jason?". It sounds totally stupid when I actually write it down but I feel like she won't like me cause she looks at me like a boy instead of a man and asdlfhalsd fhasdkfh ksdfhsdncklsdncv

[Blastotoise]

Hey! You could seriously cut the angst on this forum with a knife.

Just played a game of League of Legends with Stevenson. Best Tryndamere NA, hands down.

[Stevenson]

Aloha. Marley's a liar and he knows it.

ADC is by far my worst position.

[Cheezdude]

yeah I figured I may as well join in on the angst party. maybe it's time I pull out my old copy of The Catcher in the Rye

[Saber Knight]

Hey.

WHOOO ANGST PARTY!

Cheez, I have a friend in college who has recently been mistaken for a 13-year-old. I know it's annoying, but work on proving yourself and it'll be alright. If all else fails, you'll eventually grow into it. It's understandable to be upset, though. Lord knows I get irrationally upset at stuff sometimes. Even when you know it's kinda unfair to be upset about, it's sometimes hard to change your thought pattern.

SO I'm at a hotel on the way back to Cornell. And I just received a jury duty notice MAKE IT GO AWAY

[Silver]

Holy JESUS Cheez I am the same way. I am TWENTY-ONE and I'm 5'4 and 100 pounds soaking wet. I look like I'm still freaking TWELVE.

But y'know what? In thirty years when everyone else is like old and gross maybe I'll look like a normal adult. That'll be good, right?