Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums College I need help, please.

Mia,

At the beginning of college some of the introductory courses are very much like high school. But, college classes overall should not be like this and these are not good choices for dual enrollment right now. If you are aiming at some place like MIT the introductory courses there will not be like high school. If you end up going to a less well ranked university you may be able to test or place out of many of these introductory courses so again you won't be stuck with more of this. If you are at a university with a graduate program you may be able to take graduate classes while in college.

My suggestion: Ask to meet the director of undergraduate studies in the physics department at the college where you are taking classes. Bring in the physics stuff you've been working on and ask what they would suggest. Tell them you are interested any suggestions for how you can do physics with other people - classes, talks, visiting a lab, working with a mentor. You could also bring something you've been reading and ask for suggestions of what to work on next. The best part of college for you will be getting with people who share your interest. It doesn't matter what school you are at, there are brilliant people in the physics department. That's where you need to be.

I would stop taking pointless high school quality college classes. See what you can get through the physics department. Maybe you will like it enough that you want to wait another year and establish your maturity so you will have greater college choices. I understand the concern that a highly competitive school like MIT may be a stressor with Asperger's. If that isn't the cards for you I would suggest looking at research universities with strong physics departments.

Finally, I wanted to say I'm impressed you found this board and are asking for help. Your life shouldn't be about boredom. Don't accept the suggestion that is what life is about. A good academic fit is the opposite of that. College is a time when you will be able to connect with intellectual peers who share your interests. You will be intellectually engaged. It is unfortunate that this first step into college wasn't a good one, but keep trying because you will find it.

FWIW, Mia, my brother (now 47) graduated early from high school (graduated at 15, just before turning 16 in June) and enrolled at MIT [he had previously been grade-skipped]. He is a mathematical genius (perhaps the best math talent I have ever met; and the best math student that his gifted teacher had in 30 years of teaching gifted students county-wide). He also has Aspergers, although he has never been formally diagnosed (40 years ago, you were just a "quirky eccentric" kid, not an Aspergers kid).

He found his niche there, and flourished through a combination of mostly graduate level math classes as well as the regular MIT-level science classes [physics, chemistry, etc]. He ended up going to graduate school in math afterwards.

I think it ended up being a good fit for him, and certainly he would have gotten nothing out of high school. That said, while he is a bit quirky, he was in excellent physical and mental health. I think it really depends on what sort of physical and mental health issues you have. It is difficult to take on the added complexity and stress of living on your own if you have significant issues, and you should not underestimate that (as I'm sure your parents don't). There is a fine line between appropriate concern and overprotectiveness for parents, but often the students themselves have a hard time recognizing their own limitations -- not academically but emotionally.

Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you. I agree with the previous poster that you should seek out some more advanced challenges/work in the physics department at the local university as a temporizing plan. That might work out perfectly for you, and improve your situation dramatically.

Here is my take.

If you can shine in your field, you will be able to go where you want for your PHD and Postdoc.

So how do you get to shine? Most of learning at a grad level is an apprentice-mentor relationship. And the more time you get to spend with an expert who will guide you, the better you will get. You want someone who will promote you to their peers and who will give you projects to work on. Your goal is to then find a professor with whom you have shared interests and who will take an interest in your development.

You already said you had little funds, are 15, and have some health issues. So, your first constraint is that you need to live at home or with a close relative. At least until you are 19 and have developed stable relationships outside of your family.

So.

I'd first determine with whom you can live. Then, make a list of colleges and junior colleges in the areas. Pick all the schools! Don't discount some podunk bible college either.

Then, get a list of professors at the school who teach math, physics, and earth sciences, astronomy, nanotechnology, ship fabrication, etc - areas where applied QM is used, then research what they are doing in depth. You want to find someone who is APPLYING it in a real hands on way.

Come up with the top three professors at each school by what interests you and then rank them all in order. Then visit the professors until you find two you like. Don't look at the school's name and do not let the glitz and marketing or lack thereof dissuade you or convince you.

Next, take the boring classes and get them out of the way. You have to develop the fundamentals. Study hard enough to get an A and measure how you study so you know what A-level studying is. I would not study any harder.

Make studying a priority then use the rest of the time to study what you like.

Set a course of independent study in what interests you by developing a plan to get to mastery of the subject. The prof can give you advice, and can help you with questions, but it is up to you to do serious independent study. This means following your plan of study, doing all the work, keeping track of your work - as if you had to teach it one day.

I would start off working through some advanced textbooks, then struggle for a month or two, then casually ask the prof a question about what you have an issue with. of course - and - it has to be his or her field!

The rest will be history. If you are seriously interested in it, your dedication will come across and the professor will be intrigued.

Hi Mia,
Have you heard of this program?
http://www.cee.org/programs/rsi

I just heard about it, and though you might want to explore this a bit.
Best Wishes,
Grinity