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At 18, senior in high school I knew I wanted to go into film making or cartooning. But I realized (even at 18) that success in either career involved not only

by spc476 10y ago

At 18, senior in high school I knew I wanted to go into film making or cartooning. But I realized (even at 18) that success in either career involved not only talent and skill, but just as much luck as well. I liked computers and understood quite a bit of programming (having grown up during the Golden Age of Home Computers, the 80s) and decided to get a degree in computer science as a fall back. So yeah, some of us were that smart at 18.

cup 10y ago
Can you tell us about your family, your parents involvement in your education and tertiary study decisions, rough socioeconomic condition etc. Just curious.
- spc476 10y ago
  US citizen, grew up in a small town in North Carolina until 10, then moved to South Florida. I lived in a single parent household (with Mom) and the only involvement in my education was making sure I didn't miss the bus. She never even asked about homework (which was good, since I never bothered doing it). For rough socioeconomic condition I would say upper lower class (section 8 housing in North Carolina) to lower middle class (by the time I graduated high school). If I wanted to learn something, I was pretty much on my own. I found school to be largely a waste of time but I had little say in attending elementary, middle and high school. I still felt the same way by the time I was graduating college, but I wasn't quite ready to enter the Real World and college was a good excuse to avoid it. I received a Pell Grant for the first semester of college, but the paper work was insane so I ended up working my way through college. In this, I was fortunate that cheap (as in "too easy to get") student loans had yet to flood the market with money so tuition wasn't insane. That, and I attended a Florida State college as a resident (cheaper than going out of state) and it was only a few miles from home so I saved money there.

by spc476 10y ago

cup 10y ago

Can you tell us about your family, your parents involvement in your education and tertiary study decisions, rough socioeconomic condition etc. Just curious.

spc476 10y ago
US citizen, grew up in a small town in North Carolina until 10, then moved to South Florida. I lived in a single parent household (with Mom) and the only involvement in my education was making sure I didn't miss the bus. She never even asked about homework (which was good, since I never bothered doing it). For rough socioeconomic condition I would say upper lower class (section 8 housing in North Carolina) to lower middle class (by the time I graduated high school). If I wanted to learn something, I was pretty much on my own. I found school to be largely a waste of time but I had little say in attending elementary, middle and high school. I still felt the same way by the time I was graduating college, but I wasn't quite ready to enter the Real World and college was a good excuse to avoid it. I received a Pell Grant for the first semester of college, but the paper work was insane so I ended up working my way through college. In this, I was fortunate that cheap (as in "too easy to get") student loans had yet to flood the market with money so tuition wasn't insane. That, and I attended a Florida State college as a resident (cheaper than going out of state) and it was only a few miles from home so I saved money there.