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>> It's probably something you're born with What are you basing this claim on? >> It's unlikely that at some point in your adult life you're going to suddenly

by doktrin 14y ago

>> It's probably something you're born with What are you basing this claim on? >> It's unlikely that at some point in your adult life you're going to suddenly develop the necessary burning desire to motivate such study While it's true that adults are not likely to re-enroll in University to study mathematics, that doesn't necessarily mean the desire isn't there. For instance, a "burning" desire may be sufficient to motivate a 22 year old to study mathematics, however that same desire in a 44 year old might not overcome the pressures, realities and obligations of life, work & family.

alexkus 14y ago
> For instance, a "burning" desire may be sufficient to motivate a 22 year old to study mathematics, however that same desire in a 44 year old might not overcome the pressures, realities and obligations of life, work & family. You'd be surprised at how many there are. I'm mid-30s and I've recently finished a maths degree via distance learning (Open University in the UK). During the time I've been studying I've moved house, got married, had increased work pressures, become a father and I am helping bootstrap a startup in what little free time is left from all of that. At the various tutorials, revision day schools and exams during my studies I met lots of others who were in similar positions. It's more common than you think.
- Vivtek 14y ago
  So you're actually proving the point: you weren't born with this burning desire, you didn't learn it in college or high school or (as burning desire would indicate) when you were twelve - you waited until now, and were perfectly capable of learning it once your motivations changed. As they do, as time passes. Anybody out of their 20s will know that.
  - alexkus 14y ago
    I had a desire to study it since I was young. I excelled at both Comp Sci and Maths during school[1]. Studied both all the way prior to University and then had to pick one (I didn't want to do a joint degree as I wanted to study one in depth rather than two partially). A Comp Sci degree was going to be a bigger advantage for the kind of job I was looking for and so that won. The desire to study Maths has always been there, it's just taken a while since leaving University until I was in a position where I had the time/money to study it in my spare time. [1] First computer was a ZX81 when I was just 5 years' old.

by doktrin 14y ago

alexkus 14y ago

> For instance, a "burning" desire may be sufficient to motivate a 22 year old to study mathematics, however that same desire in a 44 year old might not overcome the pressures, realities and obligations of life, work & family. You'd be surprised at how many there are. I'm mid-30s and I've recently finished a maths degree via distance learning (Open University in the UK). During the time I've been studying I've moved house, got married, had increased work pressures, become a father and I am helping bootstrap a startup in what little free time is left from all of that. At the various tutorials, revision day schools and exams during my studies I met lots of others who were in similar positions. It's more common than you think.

Vivtek 14y ago
So you're actually proving the point: you weren't born with this burning desire, you didn't learn it in college or high school or (as burning desire would indicate) when you were twelve - you waited until now, and were perfectly capable of learning it once your motivations changed. As they do, as time passes. Anybody out of their 20s will know that.
- alexkus 14y ago
  I had a desire to study it since I was young. I excelled at both Comp Sci and Maths during school[1]. Studied both all the way prior to University and then had to pick one (I didn't want to do a joint degree as I wanted to study one in depth rather than two partially). A Comp Sci degree was going to be a bigger advantage for the kind of job I was looking for and so that won. The desire to study Maths has always been there, it's just taken a while since leaving University until I was in a position where I had the time/money to study it in my spare time. [1] First computer was a ZX81 when I was just 5 years' old.