Harnessing INTP intellect

[Inceptacon]

Hi. I am an INTP dealing with untreated "ADD" and facing a turning point in my college career. I have a few weeks left in the first semester of my Junior year of college, and need to do very well on my finals in order to turn a couple C's into B's or A's, and keep the A's that I do have. I want to do graduate work in research, and I have been told that they look at individual grades, otherwise I really wouldn't care that much about getting a solid GPA. Now, I know that pretty much everyone procrastinates (at varying degrees of severity) in college. I had a brilliant INTP friend tell me that he did 13 pages of his thesis paper (history major) the night before it was due. I have been procrastinating (pulling all nighters as my only studying done for tests), not willfully, but by habit, all throughout college thus far, and have still managed a 3.11 GPA to this point. I dont think that laziness itself is what causes me to procrastinate, I HATE on myself whenever i do it... its more like a knowledge that i just don't study efficiently at all...ever. However, with all that said, I need to legitimately study for these finals and carry on legitimately studying efficiently and effectively through the rest of undergrad and on, in order to be the badass genius gamechanger i wanna be in my occupation of choice in the future. I have big dreams for then, but I just don't study well... Now.

I know this can be done, and I've already heard a million recipes how to do it, but I just don't. I am not looking for some Panacea or magic bullet here, maybe just some stories from people who saw and dealt with a similar transition from dicking around to doing real work... And how you were able to make that lifestyle change. I heard about this one INTP girl at my school who did Chem. engineering for a while, aced eveything (like 100's) but found it boring, went on to get a perfect score on the LSAT, etc. She sounded so sexy, and it was all because she harnessed her intellect!

 

[snafupants]

I wouldn't bet the farm that any INTP could achieve a perfect LSAT score by merely "harnessing" her intellect. The whole concept sounds pollyanna and Disneyesque.

Also, this chronicled impeccable score may have had more to do with the succor of uppers, lying or cheating. God help us all.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I worked in spurts and made up for it elsewhere. Having no life + large quantities of coffee and peanut butter = academic success. Make Jimmy Carter proud!

1. What is your end goal? Specific plz.

2. You know that typical grad school science admissions require a minimum 3.6 GPA, right? Sometimes people are let in below that mark, but that's based on the total evaluation of GRE scores (or whatever admissions test is in your country), course content taken, letters of recommendation, research experience, etc. It may be worth repeating a class if you got a C or lower.

3. Instead of procrastinating, force yourself to either work and bulldoze through it or sleep (use melatonin if necessary). I found that this was the best way to manage my more "manic" nature back in the day, or lack thereof.

I'm also an ENTP, if that matters.

 

[Inceptacon]

Snafu you probably right... But it was sort of inspiring. Thank you tho, for being funny, haha, love it.

Habitat doc I think we may share some interests

1.I got back to you on the specifics in your message.
2. No I didn't know about the 3.6 thing, guess I should just blow my brains out huh?
3. ENTP or ENTJ I don't really care, some good friends of mine are ENTJ if you know how u might theoretically differ please feel free to share

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Some of this may come across as harsh, but only because I'm a teensy bit sleep-deprived atm...

Habitat doc I think we may share some interests

1.I got back to you on the specifics in your message.

That was in response to a specific probing question I asked a while ago... The relevant part is quoted below:

I jumped at the opportunity to answer, because part of my dream in my field is to usher in this future of agriculture, a return to the land but with the technology and understanding we have now. I want to be a part of that.

^It's not very specific, and no one can provide any guidance unless we know what your ultimate goal is. USDA? Nonprofit? Transgenic biological control expert? Ag entomologist? Soil scientist? Colorado Cannabis Culturer? etc.

For your response to qualify it must meet 2 criteria: a) It must be feasible and address a real world issue b) You'd sandpaper through your left arm in order to do it. This means you aren't going to get away with saying you could do all of the above. To quote Jigsaw: "Make your choice."

2. No I didn't know about the 3.6 thing, guess I should just blow my brains out huh?

There might be ways to get around it, specifically research experience, but that hinges on your response to blue.

3. ENTP or ENTJ I don't really care, some good friends of mine are ENTJ if you know how u might theoretically differ please feel free to share

Are you aware of the differences between cognitive and social introversion?

God help us all.

 

[Niclmaki]

I thought all INTPs have ADD anyways. It was just invented as a condition not too long ago. It's fun stuff!

 

[Words]

you guys and your high grades. I remember getting something like 1200 in my SATs...

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

you guys and your high grades. I remember getting something like 1200 in my SATs...

I graduated high school with a ~2.1 GPA :smiley_emoticons_mr
Living proof of dysfunction.

 

[snafupants]

I graduated high school with a ~2.1 GPA :smiley_emoticons_mr
Living proof of dysfunction.

There was this indoor mall by the high school I went to. Sometimes I'd decide to lighten myself of an otherwise oppressive afternoon courseload and peruse the stores, read by Taco Bell, or play basketball at the park, or maybe all three. I usually got two friends to apocryphally affirm that I was sick for those last three classes. Personal day.

Spoiler

The morning and afternoon teachers apparently never corroborated the story.

Spoiler

I win.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

There was this indoor mall by the high school I went to. Sometimes I'd decide to lighten myself of an otherwise oppressive afternoon courseload and peruse the stores, read by Taco Bell, or play basketball at the park, or maybe all three. I usually got two friends to apocryphally affirm that I was sick for those last three classes. Personal day.

Spoiler

The morning and afternoon teachers apparently never corroborated the story.

Spoiler

Spoiler

I win.

Can't say I was nearly as active since I never did... anything. Never even skipped class actually, just showed up, went through the motions, and got expelled a couple times as a result of long Markov chains stemming from boredom. And then I discovered college

 

[Inceptacon]

First of all, I asked someone about the 3.6 gpa bar today, and that doesn't seem to apply to ag scientists
Our GRE scores are typically much lower than the rest of the pack also haha. Looks like I get to live.
I do have this summer working with cotton under some breeders at the univ. ...that counts for something. Might do that again or something similar this summertime



As far as sharing interests, I think your prof. pic is cute... what're u thinkin about doin later? Wanna grab some dinner?


Also yes a bit harsh, Pack of wolves man, I usually shoot first but I'll have to start watching what I say around here (aside: i can be quoted) But it's all good, if anyone needs constructive criticism it's this person.

Anyway,

The quote from the private message sounds really dumb (delusions of grandeur) but that's sort of telling. I can't be all that specific about my ultimate goal, because there are a lot of options, and I just don't have it all figured out like some people. But here are the occupations I've considered to this point.
A) plant geneticist/breeder (probably my favorite consideration, might focus on the miracle crop soybeans)
B) Peace Corps AG program (iffy)
C) Intern with DuPont or Monsanto or somebody..that turns into job if stars align
D)National Resource Conservation Service
E)Turfgrass management for country club or sports team (snore)
F) it all, buy some land (not a terrible option, Colorado has some nice cash crops going I'm sure)
G) combo of peace corps then grad school, or vice versa, then research and breeding
H) food service industry

If I missed something critical....I'm sorry, and Ask away

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

First of all, I asked someone about the 3.6 gpa bar today, and that doesn't seem to apply to ag scientists
Our GRE scores are typically much lower than the rest of the pack also haha. Looks like I get to live.

Maybe that's why all the Ag Sci people I know remind me of the girl at 0:41....

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3QyLRkGLPs

j/k

Spoiler

A lot of Wildlife people do too though. No joke.

I do have this summer working with cotton under some breeders at the univ. ...that counts for something. Might do that again or something similar this summertime

I'd suggest doing a variety of projects instead of something too similar, unless you REALLY like cotton. I did 4 main projects as an undergrad that were similar in that they took place in wetlands but that's about it (marsh bird nesting, invasive vegetation, muskrat lodge placement and size, and marsh wren nesting in response to herbicide application).

As far as sharing interests, I think your prof. pic is cute... what're u thinkin about doin later? Wanna grab some dinner?

My socializing services can be compensated for in the form of microbrew, pizza, and/or baked goods. Cheese will also be considered, as will most ethnic cuisines.

Also yes a bit harsh, Pack of wolves man, I usually shoot first but I'll have to start watching what I say around here (aside: i can be quoted) But it's all good, if anyone needs constructive criticism it's this person.

You did get more astringent responses than is typical in your intro thread, but I think that's more to do with writing style. I can admittedly be a bit of a dick when I'm aiming for the logical nuts and bolts of an issue.

Anyway,

The quote from the private message sounds really dumb (delusions of grandeur) but that's sort of telling. I can't be all that specific about my ultimate goal, because there are a lot of options, and I just don't have it all figured out like some people. But here are the occupations I've considered to this point.
A) plant geneticist/breeder (probably my favorite consideration, might focus on the miracle crop soybeans)
B) Peace Corps AG program (iffy) <-SO not a long term goal... but good experience.
C) Intern with DuPont or Monsanto or somebody..that turns into job if stars align
D)National Resource Conservation Service
E)Turfgrass management for country club or sports team (snore) <-I deem this more worthy of a than mention of Monsanto...
F) it all, buy some land (not a terrible option, Colorado has some nice cash crops going I'm sure)
G) combo of peace corps then grad school, or vice versa, then research and breeding <-me likey.
H) food service industry

If I missed something critical....I'm sorry, and Ask away

What about the notion of pollen contamination and hybridization with native plant species, especially in possible future alternate crops potentially of native origin? There's something. Hemp, sunchokes, native potato ssp., Cyperus ssp., etc. And of course there's also the development of these crops through breeding et al...

 

[TheHanarchy]

Hey Inceptacon,

I'm also an INTP with ADD. It seems to be a pretty common affliction of our type, there's actually a poll on ADD forums which shows a much higher rate of ADD in INTP types. Can't seem to find the page otherwise I'd post it.

Anyways, I'm currently super-senioring at my high school.

Obviously due to this fact you can assume I had bad grades. Like you (and like many here it seems) it wasn't due to a lack of intelligence. My mom told me all through school not to use ADD as a crutch, which I bought into for a long time, but finally when I turned 18 and I was utterly failing at school and work, I decided to get medicated.

Now I have a 4.0.
I definitely am not advocating ADD medication, it's just the only thing I could find that helped.

Interesting fact: In a survey of 119 colleges 25% of the students took Aderall reguarly to improve their studying.

 

[Inceptacon]

Habitatdoctor - you're undergrad stuff sounds very interesting, I am certainly an advocate of the wildlife and environmental sciences, even though I am in crop production. Hopefully one day soon our dissimilar camps will work together peacefully for the benefit of all life as we know it (sounds grand). I am also fan of good beer, which has spoiled my tolerance of the beers of the American masses... Expensive taste worth it?
- one question: When you said "me likey" did you mean you like breeding or the occupation of my time labeled "G"?

Now TheHanarchy - I am glad the amphetamine option worked out for you, but I have some conflicting thoughts on the usage for self-improvement. It's not that I believe it doesn't help many people study more efficiently and effectively, in fact, I know this from hands-on experience. The problems I faced when using them were varied in intensity, but a depressive mood and powerful loss of appetite were consistent symptoms. I have been temped over and over again to get prescribed, if only to use them when I had to.

Now for my stipulations. These consist of things somewhat philosophical at root. Let me explain. Lets say I do get a prescription and they work, such as in your case. This is all well and good for a while, but then i become aware of the next self-help drug. Then a new one comes out, and the next, and so on. I am already using one self-improvement chemical, so why not stick to the trend? Side note: has anyone seen Gattaca? I regress. So the point is, when does it end? I fear that an addiction to aderall (scary word, but essentially what is inevitably created in the physiology of the mind with the consistent use of any drug) would lead me to think that I needed these sorts of drugs to optimize my, well, self, and I would not hesitate to sign up for the newest one.

I'm not saying that you're an idiot or whatever for taking aderall, but you can probably see the issues I have with its use coming out above. I don't want to scare you, but I would warn you not to become dependent on these or any psychoactive medications, and just accept yourself for the Willem DeFoe-like character that you are, and do what you love, not what aderall makes you good at

 

[Inceptacon]

So with allll that said, somebody just give me a placebo and don't tell me it's not aderall!

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Hopefully one day soon our dissimilar camps will work together peacefully for the benefit of all life as we know it (sounds grand). Permaculture. It's coming (as far as wetlands go, the Aztecs had the right idea and most of Asia has at least considered it if not put it into action) I am also fan of good beer, which has spoiled my tolerance of the beers of the American masses... Expensive taste worth it? Brew your own. By your third try you'll be good. Or get yourself a crock pot and generic tubing and distill your own shine... Not that I've ever done such a thing.
- one question: When you said "me likey" did you mean you like breeding or the occupation of my time labeled "G"?

Both.

.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

So with allll that said, somebody just give me a placebo and don't tell me it's not aderall!

L-theanine

 

[Inceptacon]

Where can I get L-theanine? Sounds magical. But yeah permaculture is the shit. Have seen some videos and random stuff about it. It's such a small scale operation though... So I don't think that the US is gonna catch on on a large scale anytime soon, unless it becomes some universal hipster trend...

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Where can I get L-theanine? Sounds magical. But yeah permaculture is the shit. Have seen some videos and random stuff about it. It's such a small scale operation though... <-That's where you come in? So I don't think that the US is gonna catch on on a large scale anytime soon, unless it becomes some universal hipster trend...

You can get L-theanine at the local vitamin store, plus tons of other stuff:

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80561

Just do your research/due dilligence beforehand. Theanine is one I've used in the past, otherwise I'd never recommend it without experience.