Random thoughts on academia from a non-math INTP

[yogurtexpress]

Well, I'm an English major (*audience laughter*) and one thing I've noticed in my English classes is that when everyone else is trying to relate to the characters or talk about their feelings regarding the text, I'm making general detached observations in my head, waiting to make use of them in my analysis for the paper...

I wish I was good at math. I might take another math class just for the hell of it, but I doubt I'll do very well. I got a C in the only math class I took in uni so far, and I actually tried pretty hard. Whoo-hoo, I'm stooopid.

Also, have you noticed that being INTP is like having a mix of Asperger's and ADD? You have no social skills AND you can't focus to save your life.

Someone please, get me out of my head.

Welp, that's all for now.

 

[Blue Dream]

dude don't worry I suck ass at math as well. Don't take another math class unless you need the credit, I took 2 math classes (Incredible I know!) last semester because I thought it would be fun and I was fuckin wrong about that shit, man. Worst thing I could have possibly done to myself.

As far as having no social skills and not being able to concentrate.. I feel you D: All the "social skills" I have now I had to learn through the painful process of experience, and I still can't ever really be my normal self in most public settings because people will "look at me funny" or react weird or some shit. Well I mean I can (it's not like I care or anything) but I usually don't just to avoid becoming the center of attention. As far as concentrating goes, I can focus on things that interest me, but the less interesting the topic at hand the harder it is for me to seriously direct my focus at it. I can still concentrate on crap I don't care about but there's a higher chance i'll turn out some sub-par thoughts just because I don't really care all too much to refine my ideas more thoroughly before expressing them :\

hopefully knowing there's me out here who you can relate to on how you feel will help to get you out of your head, even though I have no idea what that means/why you want to do that/how one would go about doing that in the first place.

 

[Dapper Dan]

AND you can't focus to save your life.

I thought we were supposed to be too good at focusing, to the point of being oblivious to everything around us.

Also, I'm curious: what was the math class you took before?

 

[Reverse Transcriptase]

I'm curious about which math class too. I only did okay in Calculus (I think that's highly dependent on your teacher) but I wish I had taken discrete algebra.

As for other classes... I dunno. I feel like a lot of academics only teach you things to memorize or analyze, rather than teaching you how to actually build/create shit. And when it comes to the real world, it's all about building/creating shit. So go take those kinds of classes.

 

[yogurtexpress]

'Basic Structure of Math.' I didn't even get to pre-cal in high school. :\

 

[Dionysus]

How about philosophy? It is unemotional (mostly) and attempts to be detached. I found it by chance and my undergrad career was changed abruptly. I would never recommend taking a course when you had no interest or immediate passion for it just because you are not feeling so high on Lit right now.

I always had "sub-par" thoughts about uninteresting topics as well. I think the more knowledge you gain, though, the more you will be able to relate to various topics. Unfortunately, the schooling system is not built for an INTP at all. It is not a creative place, for the most part.

As far as social skills goes... I don't think you should consider it like being saddled with asperger and ADD... ahah. This process is more difficult when there was never a suitable role model. Like someone else said, experience is going to be key. However, I do not see social skills as a skill set.. It is the by-product of being a confident and comfortable person. INTPs take a longer time to become comfortable with themselves, I believe. I think we are more complicated, to be honest. But things will flow naturally once you are more sure of your place and role in life.

Social graces are the things that require skill and art..also perhaps seduction. But if you don't know things like make eye contact when shaking hands, or basics like that, it will help to find a role model and observe

 

[yogurtexpress]

I love philosophy. I decided not to major in it, but I still take philosophy classes and I enjoy reading political philosophy in my spare time.

 

[Dapper Dan]

'Basic Structure of Math.' I didn't even get to pre-cal in high school. :\

I honestly have no idea what Basic Structure of Math would entail. Sounds boring, though.

As for pre-calc, don't worry about it. I chose not to take it in high school because I knew I wouldn't like it based on my previous trig course. I prefer things like Geometry and Discrete Math.

If you really want another math class, I would recommend looking for something with 'Discrete' in the title. It's basically all about logic and probability, which clicks naturally for me.

 

[INTPian]

Well, I'm an English major (*audience laughter*) and one thing I've noticed in my English classes is that when everyone else is trying to relate to the characters or talk about their feelings regarding the text, I'm making general detached observations in my head, waiting to make use of them in my analysis for the paper...

I wish I was good at math......

Well, I'm super awesome at math but wish i was good at reading...There are a lot of things i want to read about but i can't even read 100 words without getting some random thoughts.....Reading a novel is beyond me.......And this is one thing i find very different about most of the INTPians i have seen here...They seem to be more inclined towards reading than mathematics....Is this true or are there others like me?

 

[digital angel]

If you want to take another math class, go ahead. You won't know if you surprise yourself unless you take it.

With respect to social skills, I hear you. I'm geeky, probably not the easiest person to get to know and because I'm ambitious, I may come across as arrogant. However, I also know that tax lawyers are a dime a dozen.

I agree with Dionysys' statement that as INTPs we're probably more complicated and take longer to be comfortable with ourselves. It's just the way we are.

 

[digital angel]

Here's part deux. With respect to academia, I think it's probably a good environment for INTPs. From what I understand and have experienced, there tends to be an egalitarian ethos. Academia also tends to foster intellectual growth. Unfortunately, you cannot earn a living being a student.

 

[yogurtexpress]

Here's part deux. With respect to academia, I think it's probably a good environment for INTPs. From what I understand and have experienced, there tends to be an egalitarian ethos. Academia also tends to foster intellectual growth. Unfortunately, you cannot earn a living being a student.

But you can (barely) earn a living being a professor.