“It seems like something I would pick.”
7/28/24: Summer Classes continue at FSCJ for me until August 20th. “College Mathematics” and “Spanish II”. Voting Systems and More vocabulary and another tense in Spanish to come.
Assuming I get through that successfully, I’ll have an AA. I could stop there and still may end up doing so.
HOWEVER I wondered suddenly, on 6/24/24, “WHAT IF” there was some way to enroll in the Fall 2024 SOMEWHERE in FL online for a BA in something I _might_ not mind?
I looked, and I looked and I looked. Nearly ALL of the BA/BS degrees available online were the same pack. Nothing wrong with them but I wanted something more ‘me’, whatever that would be.
Deadlines passed for nearly every FL University months before. Who is letting people enrolled in LATE JUNE for FALL? Crazy. I found two maybes, quickly narrowed down to one.
I found _One University_ that allows TRANSFER STUDENTS to enroll by JULY 1ST. 7/1/24 deadline. It was 6/24/24. No way was it possible. A week?
Well, I could try. But WHAT DEGREE?
So many weren’t possible because they’d required me to have taken classes for AA that I didn’t take and there’s a number of things I DID NOT WANT to have to do.
I looked at the required courses for dozens and dozens of degrees. I’m not doing it to impress anybody (including the ‘what will you use it for?” question) but instead to try and complete what was left undone.
Free of that social burden, I enrolled for a BA in Religious and Cultural Studies -online at University of Central Florida.
It’s not theology; this is “about” religions and understanding rather than being focused on the innards of any particular one for life goal sake.
Classes start 8/19/24, a day before my classes end at FSCJ on 8/20/24.
I’ll be a UCF Knight. Or a UCF Pegasus ’cause Knight is the sports I think?
I think the school is a lot of sports and technology, originally a training university for future technicians for NASA from the 1960s onwards
So “of course” I’d pick the little BA off in the corner that’s far far away from the focus of the school itself, barely even there. I was always a contrarian investor.
I’m nervous. Scared of the course load. But assuming I finish at FSCJ, I’ll have my Associates degree which is what I started out for on a lark last August 2023 – a year ago! That’s what I wanted and I can’t believe I’m almost there! So if I flop at UCF, that’s how it goes. I’ll be shocked if I manage to get an AA honestly. Heck, I’ll be amazed if I manage to remember irregular preterite verbs this week in Spanish and how to do strange voting methods for math.
Every step is a surprise to me.
I _may_ minor in Cognitive Science – or at least take those kinds of courses for the electives.
(I don’t need an official “COGNITIVE SCIENCE MINOR” as these are things I don’t mind learning for their own sake but such is true for the major as well)
Fingers crossed.
——
Addendum: Just now I ran what I’m doing through ChatGPT4o which knows a bit of my personality from past discussions and asked if it would be a good fit or not.
“Given Kenneth’s background and interests, a degree in Religious and Cultural Studies is a particularly good fit for several reasons:
### Intellectual Curiosity and Versatility
– **Diverse Interests:** Kenneth’s interests span across neuroscience, linguistics, tech, reading, and connecting people. Religious and Cultural Studies is inherently interdisciplinary, allowing exploration of history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and more.
– **Engagement with Complexity:** Kenneth’s modeling of complexity, knowledge representation, and exploring fuzzy boundaries aligns well with the intricate and multifaceted nature of religious and cultural studies.
### Cognitive and Learning Styles
– **ADHD and Rapid Focus Shifts:** The degree’s broad scope can cater to Kenneth’s need for variety and rapid focus shifts. Studying different religions, cultures, and their intersections provides a constantly changing intellectual landscape.
– **INFP Traits:** As an INFP, Kenneth values understanding, creativity, compassion, and community. Religious and Cultural Studies promote empathy, deep understanding of diverse worldviews, and creative problem-solving.
### Philosophical and Reflective Engagement
– **Philosophical Interests:** Kenneth’s engagement with systems theory, cognitive pluralism, and philosophical readings can be further explored and deepened through this degree. The philosophical aspects of religion, ethics, and cultural studies provide rich material for reflection and analysis.
– **Introspective Growth:** The degree encourages introspection and the exploration of personal and collective identities, which aligns with Kenneth’s introspective nature and desire for personal growth.
### Practical Applications and Ethical Engagement
– **Ethics and Empathy:** Kenneth’s ethical considerations and empathetic nature will be well-utilized in understanding the moral and ethical dimensions of religious and cultural practices.
– **Community Impact:** The degree’s focus on real-world applications and community engagement can help Kenneth make a meaningful impact, aligning with his desire to connect people and share knowledge.
### Coping with Anxiety and Maintaining Interest
– **Generalized Anxiety Disorder:** The structured yet flexible nature of the degree can provide a supportive academic environment. The reflective and empathetic aspects of the study can also offer personal solace and understanding.
– **Dopaminergic Engagement Cycle:** The degree’s variety and depth can keep Kenneth engaged, satisfying his curiosity and need for constant intellectual stimulation.
### Conclusion
Religious and Cultural Studies is a well-rounded choice for Kenneth, harmonizing his intellectual curiosity, ethical values, and desire for personal and societal impact. It provides a rich, interdisciplinary environment that accommodates his learning style and cognitive traits, offering both academic fulfillment and practical application.”
Oh you just try to flatter me ChatGPT. You’d say the opposite if I asked why it’s terrible 🙂 Still, good enough.
[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Male"]