It's my turn to complain a bit. I'm rarely serious on the internet, so here's hoping someone takes me seriously.
Getting back into school has been very difficult, especially since I'm in the core classes of my major. In particular, I've got Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Architecture, and getting back into some annoying math after four years without. It's pretty hellish at the moment. The first assignment in Data Structures is absolutely out of my league. For someone with very little C++ experience, it's challenging to create a program that accepts integers of up to 50 digits and make calculations with them.Anyway.I talked to Purianite the other day. He said something that got me thinking. And then I got a message from one of my professors after introductions.
Quote:
Your hobbies sound very right-brain for a guy in a field that tends to be more left-brain!
I think LAR's puppy killing blog had a more serious tone to it than this one…
But regardless, I get how you feel. I'm not gonna say "drop out and follow your heart…right into some retarded course that makes you read cliche literature and draw fruit", but if you're not sure if you like your major, I would definately start looking around for something more enjoyable.Or, if you're almost done, just grind your teeth and get through it. A diploma is usually just something to prove you're capable of dropping tens of thousands of dollars, and doing what you're told on an independant basis. …Unless you're actually applying for a job in the field that your diploma was designed for…Then you'll kind of be expected to remember and use the stuff you learned in school.I'm in the same situation as you :(
The left/right brain thing is exaggerated to the point of bs, the only measurable use for it is for understanding neurological disorders. Professors should know better!
I think there are plenty of positions which suit an interest in both areas - game designers for example, where writing is a necessity, good drawing skills are advantageous and an understanding of code makes you more useful, independent and will allow you to communicate significantly better.Engineering is very, very tough, and it only gets worse, make sure this is really what you want.
It doesn't matter whether the right/left brain thing is right or wrong. The point is that he put things into perspective either way. My hobbies consist of creative tendencies and my career is based around logic. That's not such a great matchup.
And the other issue is that while I enjoy the creative side, I'm not particularly good at it. So it would be wrong to pursue a career in that field so quickly.It's just a little dilemma, something I thought to myself earlier today. It's no big deal whether it's solved here or not.Stay positive and it should work out! Don't be afraid to change your major, either- if you're not feeling it now, you're not going to feel it in the workspace.
That said, you might find that programming helps you in your artistic pursuits. I'm going down the art route, but so much of what I want to do involves programming– which, apart from Game Maker, I can't do. So, try to take advantage of what you've got.