Calculus
Went to the library yesterday and bought a couple of books on basic and advanced Calculus. At one point of time in my miss spent youth I was forced to tackle a lot of differential equations and integrations. In the way of things that are compulsory, I actually ended up getting quite good at it (and dare I say enjoy it?). I figured after a hiatus of 8+ years without touching that stuff I would need some kind of refresher course and being loathe to go to school, decided to learn by myself.
Under the impression that it would be easy, I jumped right into the problems at the end of the chapter, when I hit a solid roadblock. The memory files in my brain where I had safely moth balled information on how to solve Calculus problems was a tattered tapestry. Ultimately I had to admit defeat and humbly start from the beginning. Learning to crawl before learning to run so as to speak.
In other news, I went to Barnes and Nobles to pick up a couple of programming books and was staggered by the cost. After browsing through a few books I promptly turned around, went home, got online and ordered two books for the same price as the one at B & N. I am surprised people even buy books in book stores with such wide discrepancies in cost. I am talking of over 20$ excluding tax!
In a continuation of the same theme, (of being shocked by book prices) I went to the Berkeley bookstore website to purchase a book for my course there, and that found me reeling as well. 136$? WTF? Are these books made of gold or what? Has it been that long since I purchased books that I have forgotten the astronomical prices? No wonder education standards are slipping in this country, people can't afford a decent education. There used to be bumper stickers on cars back in the midwest that used to read, "Both my daughter and my money go to xxxx" (fill in the name of the university in the xxxx). Those words ring so true. I guess when my parents were paying my way through, the cost never bothered me. I guess there is nothing to do but suck it up in the name of education and opportunities.
I am definitely going account every penny I have spent on this process from application to graduation. I want to find out exactly what my opportunity cost is by the time I am done. Atleast I can see myself extremely motivated to study in Business school once I get there. If nothing else, than to recoup my investment.
Have a good weekend everyone. I certainly plan too. Some more hiking in the books, and some serious Calculus.
Under the impression that it would be easy, I jumped right into the problems at the end of the chapter, when I hit a solid roadblock. The memory files in my brain where I had safely moth balled information on how to solve Calculus problems was a tattered tapestry. Ultimately I had to admit defeat and humbly start from the beginning. Learning to crawl before learning to run so as to speak.
In other news, I went to Barnes and Nobles to pick up a couple of programming books and was staggered by the cost. After browsing through a few books I promptly turned around, went home, got online and ordered two books for the same price as the one at B & N. I am surprised people even buy books in book stores with such wide discrepancies in cost. I am talking of over 20$ excluding tax!
In a continuation of the same theme, (of being shocked by book prices) I went to the Berkeley bookstore website to purchase a book for my course there, and that found me reeling as well. 136$? WTF? Are these books made of gold or what? Has it been that long since I purchased books that I have forgotten the astronomical prices? No wonder education standards are slipping in this country, people can't afford a decent education. There used to be bumper stickers on cars back in the midwest that used to read, "Both my daughter and my money go to xxxx" (fill in the name of the university in the xxxx). Those words ring so true. I guess when my parents were paying my way through, the cost never bothered me. I guess there is nothing to do but suck it up in the name of education and opportunities.
I am definitely going account every penny I have spent on this process from application to graduation. I want to find out exactly what my opportunity cost is by the time I am done. Atleast I can see myself extremely motivated to study in Business school once I get there. If nothing else, than to recoup my investment.
Have a good weekend everyone. I certainly plan too. Some more hiking in the books, and some serious Calculus.
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