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/lit/ - Literature

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3515995 No.3515995 [Reply] [Original]

What did you study, /lit/?
If given the chance to do it all over, what would you have studied instead?

>> No.3516137

I am in college for welding and fabrication, if I were to go back in time, I would do nothing differently.

Just to make this a /lit/ standard post:

>2013 A.D
>making bad decisions

>> No.3516148

I studied political science and economics.

I'd much rather re-do high school. I was super stupid and lazy back then, and I haven't been able to recover.

>> No.3516619

Law (Scottish)

Wish I did history. Reading cases isn't as interesting about the fall of Empires etc

>> No.3516632

History

I would go back and work harder. Wouldn't change anything else

>> No.3516670

Law.

Wish I did either science, education or psychology. Or something else.

>> No.3516747

physics+math

If I went back and did it all over I could have added CS. I changed majors once already though.

>> No.3516777

Management with a minor in Economics.

I wouldn't change anything... But I do have some inclinations... Like doing another semester and getting a double major, then going on for a Phd in Economics..... But that's not what I'm to do with my life..

>> No.3516790
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3516790

Mathematics
if given the chance i guess maybe sociology&philosophy or literature

>> No.3516818

>>3515995
Philosophy.
I would still study philosophy.

>> No.3516826

>>3516137
>A.D

>> No.3516865

English and Cinema studies

If given the chance I would have to redo high school, pay attention in maths and science, THEN do anything but English and Cinema studies at college - some kind of STEM degree, I don't know.

I go to one of the top 40 universities in the world and the arts department is still absolute shit.

>> No.3516870

Evolutionary biology

Maybe anthropology

>> No.3516871

>>3516790
\lit\fag here and math gives me feels. trying to sneak my way back in.

captcha: ADDITIVE layedmi

>> No.3516873

>>3516865
STEM is shit too. It just gets a lot of good press. I have lots of friends in it and they all work 80 hours a week. Their life is over.

>> No.3516881

>>3516137

>welding and fabrication

What kind of work are you looking to do?
I'm actually weighing whether I should join a union to get certified.

>> No.3516943

English. I would stay in English, but I'd like to redo high school so that I'd get accepted to Ivy League. My SAT scores were sufficient and my high school is pretty prestigious so as long as I could beat the Valedictorian, I'd have it in the bag.

All in all, I would just shoot for as many scholarships as possible as to stay in school forever.

>> No.3517313

I'm thinking of doing psychology post-grad. Can anyone recommend?

>> No.3517327

Math/computer science/chemical engineering/cognitive science.

>> No.3517332

>>3516873
what do you do with your phil degree?

>> No.3517360

I did literature and I'd want to go back to sixth form college and study maths and physics and take it from there.

My degree is a pile of bullshit.

>> No.3517374

math / computer science

>> No.3517389

>>3517332
They get together with their friends from film school and art school, get drunk on box wine, and then bang out psychological thrillers.

>> No.3517405

>>3517313
>pls respond

>> No.3517463

I'm in the twelfth grade (not underage, I'm 18). I'm going to either study philosophy, political science, business, or film. I'd be throwing my life away if I did film, but hey, do what you love. I'll just kill myself if I fail at all that.

>> No.3517467

English, philosophy, law, IT

Cognitive linguistics

>> No.3517470

>>3517463
M8 best thing you could do is take a year off and travel or do some soul searching. Speaking from experience, if you're not really set on what you want to do chances are you're not going to enjoy it and you're not going to be that great at it.

>> No.3517475

>>3517470
Solid advice, I'll probably take it.

>> No.3517521

History/Classics. Wish I hadn't done Classics, or only transitioned into it in the third year for the advanced courses. Too much lit crit and interpretation bullshit.

Thinking of going philosophy for the PhD anyway. Not sure I want to spend 7 years researching the changes in wind direction in Spanish ship manifests from the 16th century. That is literally what one of my TAs just did for the better part of a decade.

>> No.3517530

>Quantity Surveying - Cost engineering (construction) in some countries.

If i could go back i'd choose physics.

>> No.3517571

Studied: Economics and Business Administration double degree

I would definitely do engineering instead. My dad could have gotten me a much better job than I can get with the degree I have considering I have no real desire to work long ass hours in finance where the real money is. And any passion I had towards the field dwindled to apathy the further I went on in my degree.

The only thing I have to decide now is whether I could actually handle going back to study... I never thought I'd be one of those weird older students (even though I'm still in my early 20s so I guess it's not as bad as some people).

>> No.3517632

>>3517475
>>3517470
>>3517463
I seriously hope you listen to this person's advice.

I wish I'd taken time in between school and uni rather than simply going because it felt like the next logical step for an academically inclined person.
I had no interest in my course and it showed with the terrible marks I got. Fortunately I managed to get my shit together eventually but the initial few fails really hurt my overall GPA.

>> No.3517644

Languages and Linguistics, majoring in German and minoring in Japanese. I like it so far, nothing I'd do over but its hard to tell in the first year.

>> No.3518702
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3518702

I am not studying yet, but I come to this thread in hope of some help.

Earlier, I thought that I would study biotechnology or some derivation thereof (i.e. like bio chemistry).

I started reading philosophy because of my interest in science, which lead me to Descartes and everything pretty much took off from there.

Now, I want to study philosophy, yet it feels like I only want to study it for the studying process itself. Will I be able to get a job, is it something realistic to study?

I mean, I think it's sort of silly when people study 'communication' or some vague thing off the humanities.

I mentioned it to my physics teacher at a party one time. He told me I would regret it for the rest of my life if i went into philosophy instead of the natural sciences. ;_;

What can I use philosophy for? Will there be jobs for me in 6 years time when I'm done?

>> No.3518721

>>3518702
There are lots of jobs you can get with just a bachelors like banking, entry level management, etc. Also writing/editing jobs.

I am about to graduate with my B.A. in philosophy but I just got accepted into a Ph.D. program so I'm not sure about the job market.

I wrote my honors thesis on Kierkegaard's objections to Hegel's idea of 'Spirit' and it got me high honors.

>> No.3518733

>>3518721
>thesis on Kierkegaard's objections to Hegel's idea of 'Spirit'

See, this is exactly what i want to do. Heck, sometimes when I'm down it feels like it's what i live for.
Getting a Ph.D in philosophy must be fantastic. I go to lectures at a university at the moment, and theres just so much i want to learn, and it all seems ever important to me.

>> No.3518742

Less than 20% of science/maths graduates end up getting a job related to their degree topic. Most end up in finance, according to Unistats.

>> No.3518751

Economics and finance, started out pretty ignorant, learned to hate it halfway through. Depression through empathy is a bitch. If only I had been born a psychopath...

Couldn't care less about choosing other discipline since I already know languages, literature, history and IT/CS. University isn't about learning stuff. It's about getting a degree.

>> No.3518752

>>3518733
Keep in mind there is a lot of internal drama and politics to grad school and thesis writing. Just keep in mind it's not the same as a 19th century intellectual. It took a year and a half to write this thesis with 3 advisers, drama between advisor rivalry, an extra semester of classes because my advisor was late to approve my thesis, and shit like that.

Also, I wrote my thesis on Kierkegaard only because it was my best work. I wouldn't reccommend studying continental philosophy.
There are hardly any graduate places for continental. I'm studying metaphysics myself, ontology specifically. The only opportunities, generally, are available for analytic philosophy. Keep that in mind, also.

Take care.

>> No.3518754

>>3518733

>Heck, sometimes when I'm down it feels like it's what i live for.

Go for it, but:

>Don't be bitter when people with STEM degrees end up with better jobs and marriages
>Don't be bitter if you end up working a shit job


imo, going into philosophy because you "love truth" is pretty admirable but you have to be aware that it comes with a lot of sacrifice. Philosophers have never lived glamorous lives.

>> No.3518757

>>3518702
My Dad chose Geology as a degree title. He wanted to change after his first year, but his Dad told him no, and that he had to finish what he'd started.

He ended up taking it all the way to PhD; he got his BSc at a Turkish uni, and ended up getting two MScs along the way. He's worked for Saudi Aramco for about 30 years. He still lives on the compound, while I'm in the UK.
Recently, we've started talking more often, and I told him I was having doubts about my future. He told me to pursue my interests, and, subsequently, that he would tell me something important.

He said that he never got over his disdain of geology, despite being in the field for so long. He finds it boring to this day. I told him that I was thinking of switching to a scientific pursuit, but he told me no; that I'd be lying to myself. He said my happiness is more important than a lifetime of professional inquietude.

I love him for telling me that, but I still feel awful. He put up with something he hated for the sake of his family, and for an ungrateful wife he would subsequently divorce him. Yet, regardless of all that, he still had the troth to tell me to follow my dreams, and that he would support me, no matter what.

What I'm saying is, you need to cater to your own interests and, intrinsically, your own happiness. No matter what delusion of martyrdom you might have, all you have in life is happiness; why would you squander such a thing? I know a lot of people who say: 'well, it's just work; I'll just put up with it and make lodsemone and pursue my interests in my spare time'. If anything my Dad's told me is true, this simply isn't the case. Be honest with yourself, before doing anything. There's always something, and don't give up so soon. Your dissenters are inevitably experiencing that same inquietude themselves; they allay it by putting you down. Not everyone has the same assets in life, I understand, but make do with what you have.

>> No.3518759

Did a join honors degree in musical composition and viola performance at a conservatory then another degree in computer science, a masters in maths (with computer science) and then went back and did another degree in south eastern asian studies specialising in korean. I now work fixing people's cars...

If I could go back I think I would have done my degree in comp sci first as it was really hard to raise the money the second time round. I would quite like to do a masters or phd one day or maybe another degree.

>> No.3518762

>>3518702

Kierkegaard & Nietzsche had great senses of humour. I especially like Kierkegaard when he repeats himself over & over, it makes me realize the comic potential of repetition; I also like when he uses very technical / obscure language so as to parody German philosophers.

>> No.3518787

Currently studying Literature and Philosophy and am about to graduate. I want to go on to Grad school ans study critical theory.
If I could go back I'd probably study Linguistics

>> No.3518784

>>3518702
>Will there be jobs for me in 6 years time when I'm done?
Keep it to a hobby.

>> No.3518790

>>3518754
I tried to show this in my first post. I've always known this, and always been very interested in the natural sciences. My field of study in the gymnasium I'm currently in is also centered around biotechnology, with math and physics as supplement. I chose this, because it gives access to 'STEM' degrees in the university. It's only as of late this sick thought popped into my head, and i cannot forget it. I wrote a 34 pages paper on radiation damage on cells two months ago, and aced it. I think I got some flair for biology, and sometimes I think it would be retarded to ditch something you're brilliant at, to study something you might not be very skilled at.

>>3518752
I've heard about how much time and what a hassle it can be, besides the basic difficulty of the actual study. I'm reading Wittgenstein at the moment, which is surprisingly relevant to contemporary philosophy. I'll remember what you said.

>> No.3518789

>>3518742
Finance IS a job related to math.

>> No.3518793

>>3518789
The relevancy of the course material will, inevitably, be somewhat extraneous.

>> No.3518796

>>3518793
Insofar as course material is extraneous to jobs in any field.

>> No.3518799

>>3518796
I imagine it would be even more so in regard to maths.

>> No.3518801

>>3518799
No, not really.

>> No.3518804

Computer Science

If I was to start all over again, I'll probably pick Computer Science

>> No.3518818

I study electronic engineering because I am talented in the subject and I'd like to give back to the world.
I would rather study philosophy but my impact would be minimal and my wages less.

>> No.3518822

>>3518752
That's one of the reasons I decided not to go into grad school despite being pushed by my professors.
Also I hate the prominence that analytic philosophy is still gaining despite being so completely bunk.

I always remind myself these words from cioran:
A philosopher writes for professors, a thinker writes for writers.

>> No.3518830

>>3518822
Surely philosophy should be simple enough to be understood by laymen, but complex enough to be analysed by scholars? This is the problem with a lot of 20th century critical theory: particular writers have a knack for spouting utter bullshit, c.f. Lacan, Kristeva and Irigaray.

>> No.3518844

>>3518790
I stay sick to the natural sciences.

You're situation to me resembles that of a man who has had a long-time girlfriend but has recently met another attractive girl that he has taken a liking to.
The man can go into a despair and reflect - "what if the new girl is better for me?", "what if I will regret not taking this opportunity later on?", "does my having these thoughts in the first place mean that I am not meant for my current girlfriend?", etc., but in the end he has to make the choice, and what's important is not whether or not he is faithful to his girlfriend or leaves her, it's that he his honest to himself about what he wants and commits to his decision without possibility of regret, so he can look back and say, "at the time it was the right decision, and I made that decision with all the right courage".

>> No.3518849

>>3518844
I realize the first sentence of my post contradicts my conclusion.

So on second thought, I do not necessarily recommend you stick to the natural sciences, provided you follow the advice I give later in the post (not that you are obliged to take my advice of course).

>> No.3518867

>>3518830
I'm fairly knowledgeable with Lacan and I disagree that he spouts bs.

And also I disagree that it should be simple enough to be understood by the layman. This just means pretending that philosophy sticks to the prejudices of one's time.

No philosopher is that hard to understand in its basic principles. Not even Heidegger or Hegel. Claiming that philosophy has a problem of being not understandable is just playing the populist for cheap consensus.

The whole war for clarity that the analytics did was just a way to save themselves the effort of reading german idealism, not a concern for clarity. Their philosophy is neither more clear, honest or rigorous than any other philosophy around.

>> No.3518873

>>3518757
Thank you for you response. I keep coming up with the same conclusion, which is basically the same as in your post. What comforts me is also that I can start studying something new, if i regret my choice. My brother switched to biotechnology after reading biochemistry for one year.

It's a large part of my life I have to decide now, it can be difficult.

>>3518844
>>3518849
I understand what you mean perfectly though.
If you have had a girlfriend for a long time, the new girl will probably just be exciting for a few weeks. After all, you have loved the old girlfriend for certain reasons, and the new girl does not necessarily change this. Some months back I joked about this philosophy thing, as I kind of looked down on a degree based on something that does not exist, 'nothing'. The problem is, the more I think about it, there more valid philosophy seems. My biggest fear is that it's only just a fad, and after having read through all of philosophy, many years from now, I'll be done with it. Like studying English because you like the current book you're reading, but when you're done with it, the study seems pointless.

Anyways, I should probably leave now. I get so sentimental when thinking about my entire life in front of me.

>> No.3518878

>>3518867
Surely we should get rid of this whole 'continental/analytic' dichotomy entirely, now in this day and age?

>> No.3518885

>>3518873
>I get so sentimental when thinking about my entire life in front of me.

Yeah, in a way I think it's cruel how young people are forced to think about "the rest of their lives" and given SO MANY OPTIONS on what to do. Of course, not everybody has a lot of options, but for those who do it can be dismaying.

>> No.3518899

>>3518878
I would agree.
Unfortunately it is still very active when you try to get into grad school or get hired.
Or even worse when you try to publish papers your success depends a lot in imitating a certain style and quoting the right authors.

I think the the dichotomy is very much there and again the line is whether your work is understandable with or without knowledge of post-kantian idealism.

>> No.3518908

>>3518885
Yes, I have pretty much every option there is, my grades allow me to study basically anything, and my parents are rather wealthy, giving me some flexibility in my economy.

Perhaps it would be easier if someone somehow artificially limited my choices down to a very few, which I then could choose from.

>> No.3518934

>>3518908
>Perhaps it would be easier if someone somehow artificially limited my choices down to a very few, which I then could choose from.

This is why I think parents SHOULD exercise some authority over their children's lives.
Machiavelli said:

"Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant."

The only problem then is that you need a good parent who is prudent enough to make, or help make, a Child's choices for them, which is not always the case.

>> No.3518968

>>3518934
In Plato's Republic, he says that you cannot force knowledge unto free men. He says we should educate through play, thus playing with the words for educating and playing, 'paideia' and 'paidia'.

He would also say that people would be destined to have certain roles (the part about bronze, silver and other metals), roles which they need to furfill, while they meanwhile can climb up the system. Anyways, I agree.

>> No.3520037

B.A. in English, M.A. in Cultural Studies. Instead, I'd like Physics or Computing Science, please.

>> No.3520054

You don't need college to study, assholes.

>> No.3520066

>>3515995
I go to a French uni, kind of skimmed through all the humanities & social sciences, took a gap year to study literature.

If given the chance to do it all over, I'd probably read a shitload as a habit, and study medecine, mathematics or architecture.

>> No.3520108

>>3517632
Ah thanks man. (I'm the guy that posted >>3517470)

But yeah I feel the same way. Except I didn't know what to do even after an undergrad degree and a post grad course.

I do now though, so I'm going to work a few years and then eventually study what I want.

>> No.3520121

>>3520054
So, how's the basement?

>> No.3520692

Linguistics.

If I could do it again, I'd probably double in Linguistics and CS.

>> No.3520734

Art History and Economics.

I don't regret anything at all. Hell, I even have a sweet job. However, I almost accepted Financial Engineering. I don't think it's that fun though.

>> No.3520737

Mathematics, glad I did. Would have done Comparative Literature otherwise.

>> No.3520740

Applied to go to uni this year. Applied for Natural Sciences (vague term but generally means Chem + Physics)

Want to change to physics but not sure what to do, alas.

>> No.3520754

do you need GREAT marks to teach?

even at a shitty little college?

i'm working 40 hours a week to support myself and trying to keep up with school but at this rate (and i won't ever be able to quit my job) i will, at best, manage mostly b's and a few a's

>> No.3520821

Studying screenwriting.
But thinking about switching to Film or Film production
Or thinking about dropping out of college so I can actually bank some cash and make music with my friends.

>> No.3520835 [DELETED] 

>>3520754
Feels good to get paid for studying. Equivalent to 1000 $ a month.

>> No.3522691

Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics as a graduate student.

No I wouldn't change it. Make bank nigga no joke.

>> No.3522806

Phil and lit. I wouldn't waste time again but go straight on the dole.

>> No.3522813

Studying Sociology and Japanese.

I don't think I'd ever want to change anything in my past, but if I were to choose another field of study I would've gotten into Psychology or Philosophy.

I still might :)

>> No.3522824

>>3516148
how math heavy is economics as a major?

>> No.3522837

>>3518751
fuck. i'm going for economics next year. i feel like i'm interested based on this high school level econ course i'm taking now, but i'm afraid i'll lose interest soon

>> No.3522872

>>3516670
>Science

be glad you didn't. In the shitter with the poor excuse for funding we receive, and it just got worse with the sequestration.

>>3516870
>Maybe anthropology

Field has as many jobs as a history major, no matter how awesome it is. Nothing against it, I actually think anthro would be my field were it not for biology.

for ze thread:

Biology degree
work in a major research-hospital on a rare genetic disease

Double-edged sword. I love what I do, but it takes up way too much time for too little pay. Early 20's, and I see a lot of friends doing cool shit or having cool hobbies that I used to have, but I'm just workin'. It's a very comfortable life style once you adjust, actually. However, the sciences are about to collapse on themselves because our government can't fucking function and has been cutting and cutting our funding to such insane degrees, especially with this sequestration. So my future is pretty bleak, regardless of how good I am in my field.

If I could go back, I'd be an engineer or a geophysicist. Know people my age in both fields, and they have it pretty damn good (big oil back geophysics financially, so you can imagine what thats like).