Wanderer1084

I want to avoid a repetitive post, so I will avoid asking the questions posed in the other post with the same name. I read that over completely and now realize there is still hope. However, I need some guidance. My story first of all. 23 years old. Highschool dropout with a GED. Extremely intelligent person who decided to be lazy and try to take the easy route. I sell cars . However, I cant escape the pull of the extremely interesting world of math and science. I really want to be a physicist, an astronomer, a mathematician, something that will challenge the intelligence I was lucky enough to be born with. Maybe it just took me until the age of 23 to grow up and realize this. I surf the internet reading articles on topics such as quantum mechanics, special relativity, atomic theory, thermodynamics.... Heavy stuff for a kid that never graduated geometry . While I can follow the first few paragraphs of most of these articles enough to know that I am dealing with things that are extremely interesting, when it comes down to the mathematic I am completely lost..... This needs to change. So I guess my questions are as follows: -Even though it was asked in the previous post, its not too late for me to get started on the path to a fulfilling career in something as advanced as physics? -I am pretty good at teaching myself things. I need a complete refresher in subjects as basic as algebra. How far would you folks think I could take the self teaching in math and science? (Possible to teach yourself calculus? basic physics? etc etc....) -I know I have no choice except to start over at a community college. If I take a year to teach myself the basics in math and science, can you test out of remedial math and science classes even if you dont have a highschool transcript showing that you took the classes? -What are a few of the main Universities turning out todays top physicists? -How hard is it to find fulfilling work in the field of physics? Is it a subject only the best of the best find good work in? Is it a well paying field? Its getting late. I know I have more questions, but theres a good show on The History Channel right now about the sun. Seems like my kinda stuff, and I want to go watch.... So, I guess all Im looking for here is a bit of encouragement, a few words of wisdom, the answer to my few questions, and a few suggestions on things I may not have even asked in this post. I look forward to your answers, and will post more questions when Im not so dead tired. Thanks in advance all! Marc:D

Hey there. I definatly share the feelings you had at the beginning of the post wondering if you had screwed up your future.... Funny that the top post in this forum was exactly the same question I signed up here to ask. But, as my situation is slightly different/worse than your own, I will be starting a seperate post rather than continuing here. I hope I dont annoy anyone with a somewhat repetitive post..... See "Have I Screwed Up My Future Pt. 2" for more