sorry-for-my-english Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Well, this is the story. First the context, and for context I mean the story of my life. When I was a little child, as most little children, dinosaurs were my passion. The first tv programs I remember have ever seen were dinosaur documentaries on Discovery Channel, I can even remember the intro song of Paleoworld and the animatronic puppets they used. I used to live in front of my grandparents until I was 3 years old, and I have more memories of being in my grandparents house watching documentaries than memories of my own home. Then we moved to another place of the city, and when the tv arrived, I discovered a new tv channel, those were the very first days of Animal Planet, and my love for animals was expanded from the prehistoric ones to the actual ones, but dinosaurs were still my favorites. And it was not until 2001, with a new documentary series, that a group of actual animals really catched my atention. The program was The Blue Planet, and I was amazed with the diversity of the sea life, all the shapes, colors and sizes the sea creatures can have. It was like... rediscovering the dinosaurs. In 2004 I was chosen for being part of a study program for kids and teenagers with academic talent, imparted for the best university in my country, Chile. The duration of the program is 7 years until you finish high school, I was in like the 4th or 5th generation of students. So, I had to choose some classes, and surprise, there was a class about paleontology. And the next year, when I started with the program, It felt sooo good, being in a classroom with lots of kids from different schools, all like me, with that particular interest for science and dinosaurs, was like a second home. And the next semester was even better, because I chose a class about prehistoric sea creatures, and a class about marine biology. On Fridays after school I learned about the weird fossil creatures found somewhere in Canada, in a place called Burguess Shale, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm I was in a laboratory with an old marine biologist learning about marine biodiversity and taxonomy. Those where some of the happier months in my life, but the next two year I could not assist because of economic problems, and when I returned in the first year of high school, there were no more classes about paleontology or marine biology because they are only for the younger students, so I took classes about boring molecular things and stuff. So, in 2012 I started studying biology because animals, in the same university that imparted the program I was. That year we traveled to a university located in the south of the country, because of a meeting of biology students from all the universities of Chile, and I discovered that in that university they have a magister about paleontology, and all you need to enter is being a biologist, marine biologist or geologist, but then it was just like "oh, you can be a paleontologist in Chile" nothing more. But the next year everything changed, I had this fourth semester full of that molecular thing I hate, and bioethics, the class imparted by the fearest professor in the biology faculty, a little old bald man who is always presuming his photograph with the pope and the fact that he appeared on tv with the chilean miss universe. That semester was a total disaster, my hamster died, I was interned in a hospital because of appendicitis, I stayed blank during a debate in the bioethics class in front of almost 80 people and failed all the classes. So I ran away from biology, because the bioethics experience was traumatic, I don't wanted to live that again. And then I found animation, and was like "hey, maybe I can do this now". So, in 2014 I started studying that, I passed all the classes easily, but I had problems with the presentations in front of the rest of the class, I turn nervious, my body shakes and I think that if I don't move they will not see me... but finally I can do the presentations because I did them with people I know. Now I'm 24 years old, "ending" my last semester of animation, but I'm no longer with those people I know because they failed some classes. This semester I was suposed to make my final project, it was fine in the begining, but some months ago, before of one of the evaluations, I felt so frustrated because I couldn't fix the model of my character, that I didn't send anything to my professors. Ugh... I use to thing I will fail in everything I try to do... And why not go with them and explain everything? Because I feel scared of talking face to face with people I don't know, and that fear have been increased these months that I stay in home working in the project. I can't just go and ask one of them to check my progress. So these last months I've been in my room trying to not think about the project, and for that I play games, read, those things. But the semester is ending, and my parents are expecting I finish this thing, so I decided to go with a psycologist to get some help, and help me to tell my parents the problems I had this semester. This Thursday is my first session. Also, I was thinking I can work to pay the next year and finish this with the help of some therapy. So, why all that story about dinosaurs and sea creatures? Well, a few days ago was inaugurated an exposition in the musseum about the Chilesaurus, I heard a paleontologist talking about it in the radio, and I felt so interested about it, just like when I was a kid. And was then when I realized I need to be part of that world of science again, it was so obvious, all these years while I was studying animation, one of my favorites distractions was to get lost in wikipedia reading about animals, specially about extinct ones and marine ones, just as a hobby. That is what I want, animation was just a "maybe I can do this". But, how to decide if I want to be a marine biologist or a paleontologist? Well, why not both. Today I remembered that university in the south where you can study marine biology and then enter in the paleontology magister. Now, the problem is the money, I have nothing, and I don't want my parents to continue paying for my studies, is not correct, also, that is in another city, I would need money for living. And how old I will be if I decide to do it? I don't like the idea of starting over at this age or older, I feel I've wasted a lot of time and I need to earn my own money now and think in having my own home and those things, but I really want to do what I most liked since I was a child. So, to do or not to do? Link to post Share on other sites
in.visible Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Yes!! Do it! It's clear you want to do it. And I'm very sure you'll find your way. It's better trying and making mistakes, stumbling, falling over than not trying at all! Nothing is ever set in stone, especially not the work we do. I used to study at university too, but I quit and started over and began an apprenticeship with 23. And I am not the oldest in my classes. I probably won't do this forever either, but that's ok. You're going to be ok. Link to post Share on other sites
Ronald Race Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 I had to give up mine. Alcoholic father, then alcoholic step father, and a codependent mother. My wants and dreams were unimportant. If you've got a chance I'd say go for it! Link to post Share on other sites
Luftschlosseule Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Do it! Look into scholarship programs, there are some for everybody, not only posh know-it-alls. I wish you the best of luck Link to post Share on other sites
Nidwin Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 You only live once bro and it would be a shame if you ended with the no-dinos-regret syndrome. As for the dinos, may be you could already investigate a very rare, and nearly unknown, not that long ago discovered one. The Fictosaurus !!! Link to post Share on other sites
A shard of glass Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Well, put it this way: I always had a thing for space, spaceships, satellites, all that lovely stuff. I did a degree in biology, specialising in genetics and nutrition amongst other things... I graduated with a degree you wouldn't wipe your arse with (it was that bad IMO), I applied for jobs... And now I'm working in the space industry, making batteries for satellites Moral of the story: You can do it TL:DR: DO IT!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 I've heard a story about a 80 year old lady who graduated law school! You're never too old to follow your dreams Link to post Share on other sites
Zacharie Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Idk man... im in the same situation in a different line of work. sometimes is like "no... you better think straight and just secure your everyday meal, a place to live and pay for your bills until the day you die". Other times is like "F..k everything and everyone, you do you while you can because we are all gonna die maybe sooner than what we would like to admit, follow your dreams and stuff." if if you have the money to do so, go for it, even if it's from your parent's, if they agree on you having your career finished then do it. If you don't have money, well... there's not much you can do but to stick with what you have chosen until you have money again. It all comes down to that. Link to post Share on other sites
Rhaenys Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 I wanted to do stuff relating to theater, art or writing but I'm stuck doing an I.T degree and I'm 25 and unhappy. So go for your dream if you can. You only live once. Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamer23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 "Now I'm 24 years old" - "Is it too late" ... you're about a century too young for it being too late! Absolutely go for it. There's no point in living a life you don't like, always wondering what could have been. It might turn out the way you hope, it might go another way, but if you don't give it a shot you'll never know! Link to post Share on other sites
LeChat Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 On 12/6/2017 at 8:52 AM, Santa's Little Elf said: I've heard a story about a 80 year old lady who graduated law school! You're never too old to follow your dreams (nods) Yes. I've also heard of older adults in their 40s and 50s deciding to enter a different career field in something they realized they were passionate about and taking community college classes. So, OP, you're not "too old." Link to post Share on other sites
Luftschlosseule Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 So, I am aware that I am talking about a hobby, not a career path, but I'd like to tell you about my grandma. She picked up making lace (called Klöppeln in German) aged 80. She needed a new kit of tools, was ill and not able to lift one arm properly due to a break that hadn't been set right. She made new friends over this new activity and was invited to work at a local museum for life in medieval times in Germany when they had special artisan days. A Kloeppel looks like this, complicated and it feels like you shouldn't leave your work once or you'll never find in again. You're never too old to learn and do something new. It will be hard, but at least you won't be sitting there regretting you didn't take the chance. Link to post Share on other sites
smack12776 Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 I returned to college later in life. I'm 17 years your senior and in a doctoral program I love, studying what I call 'my life's work'. Please look up the Japanese concept of "ikigai", hopefully it will guide you. I knew I wanted to be a college professor when I was 13 years old and sat in on a Women's Studies course at Northwestern University in Illinois. I spent over 15 years in real estate and while I was very good and successful at it, I always knew I was not sharing my true gifts with the world. 24 is still very, very young which is your advantage. I say take it and run with it and don't look back. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Deus Ex Infinity Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 No, it's never too late! Go for it! Keep trying... Link to post Share on other sites
arekathevampyre Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 @Luftschlosseule this is awesome !! Your grandmother is very talented !! It seems complicated but beautiful Link to post Share on other sites
MilkAndCookies Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Go for it! (I was obsessed with dinosaurs ever since I was a child btw) Link to post Share on other sites
Luftschlosseule Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 On 15.12.2017 at 1:12 PM, arekathevampyre said: @Luftschlosseule this is awesome !! Your grandmother is very talented !! It seems complicated but beautiful Sadly, she was very talented, she passed away. But if I reach that age, I hope I'll think about her and don't just shut myself in my home. Link to post Share on other sites
arekathevampyre Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 8 hours ago, Luftschlosseule said: Sadly, she was very talented, she passed away. But if I reach that age, I hope I'll think about her and don't just shut myself in my home. Oh my . I am so sorry !! Yeah , I guess that I will be the same as you here since my own grandmother hasn't been too active and she is just at home everyday with my aunts (they live together) and it is actually quite sad since she is really quiet and I live too far away to visit often And when I do visit her , I feel that it is so difficult to communicate since I don't know what to say Link to post Share on other sites
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