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
