Am i stupid?
 

Ok, I know that is a loaded question but...


I got As and Bs in high school, and graduated with a 3.0 GPA in aeronautics at the university (2.5 years, taking 18-28 credits per semester, going summer fall and spring).


Now on paper that looks pretty good.... but here is the thing.

I am considering the prospect of graduate school and in the process of that I have been attending some lectures on physics (want to go to grad school for aeronautical engineering).

Thoughout these lectuers, I am revisiting theroies, techniques, etc that I once "learned" before (ie, studied for the test, got a good grade but never really understood it).

These include things like understanding momentum problems, chemistry problems, calculus problems.

I can "see" the whole thing better now.... Like, for example, calculating how much a certain ammount of a chemical weighs using moles.

Now, I could do it before...I did it on the tests and got As. I got straight As in chemistry.... but ....I "get it" now.... I can see the problem on a correlation level...

A side note...levels of learning... Rote, Understanding, Application, Correlation....Correlation being the highest, rote the lowest...

I think when I was younger (just a few years ago) I could only get the physics/math/chemsitry problems on a rote level....maybe some on an understanding level...but for the most part I just was able to get the As by memorizing how to do a problem without actually learning what it meant...applying it...etc.


I dont know if this is a result of being in a rush....in a rush to finish college (28 credits/semester doesnt leave much time for understanding) or if I was operating at a lower mental capacity during that time.

I have a lot of pride riding on my smarts...but Im seriously questioning whether I am truly smart, or just good at playing the college game.


aside from a serious identity issue with all of this (ie, the smart kid)...this has serious implications about whether I should go to grad school. I really would like to be a test pilot (requires aero engineering degree)...but am afraid I am not smart enough. Being a test pilot requires a correlation level of understanding of math/physics. You can't just be able to do a probem in some text book, you need to be able to apply and correlate real data using real science in real life....that is hard.

The only reason I would go to aero engineering school is to be a test pilot...so if I am not cut out for it, id rather not waste the time and effort to get the degree.

I know in the end it is my own decision, but I have no one to talk to about this and need to get it off my chest.


thanks for reading

I sort of recognise some of your experiences. I tried for an MSc many years ago, and sometimes I wouldn't get that final level of understanding until years after I'd passed the exam. Knowledge takes time and work to mature sometimes. You're just used to taking in a lot in a short time - which is a good ability - so you have no prior experience of this longer, slower process yet. Now might be a good time to think a bit about your learning style, look at what has worked in the past and what you aren't pleased with, and maybe try something new. I definitely think you can reach your goal, just by thinking about the problems and sharing your thoughts with us you are on your way there.
Word of caution though: It's a lot of work (and money) for a very limited career you are looking at. I do hope you have a plan B and C if you don't manage to land your dream job.

Yeah, if your goal is a test pilot, you need to have several backup plans.

Truer words are rarely spoken.

I don't believe these are mutually exclusive. You've got to have some level of intelligence in order "play the college game."

And I wouldn't worry if you're "smart" or not. In my opinion life has about 10% to do with how intelligent you are, and about 90% how badly you're willing to try to get something. Think on it. :)

I know how you feel - I'm doing math and chemistry and biology classes now, and it's several years past the first BA degree. But this time... everything feels easier. I "get it" so much more now. It's weird. I think there's something about our mental processes that also mature, and our life experiences mold our perceptions. In HS and college, well... we had no real life experiences to use as a contrast or anything - it was just streaming information. Now things all have context.

So you were always smart, you are smart now, you just have a different application for your information now. :thumbsup:

Oh, and ditto on the backup... just give yourself some variety of possibilities. :)

I'd suggest judging it off how you're going with your recent physics lectures. That's a better indication of where your mind is at than stuff you did further back. Also, what are you doing with the lectures? Just sitting in on them, or are you working problems as well?

I've felt the same thing. Generally did pretty well at physics and maths when I was studying. However, at university I never really "got" thermodynamics. About a year ago I was visiting my parents and picked up one of my Dad's old thermodynamics textbooks and started reading, and found I did "get it" this time, which made working through the problems a little later on much easier. Sometimes it just takes the brain a little while to process stuff and really sort it out, maybe.

And if you do go for test pilot - good luck!!! :)

Don't limit yourself! "Smartness" doesn't have didilly squat to do with brainpower- it's a hell of a lot more linked to what you want and how badly you want it. Also, keep in mind the people that are teaching you things and the textbooks you are using will make a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference in "getting it." Everyone has different ways of learning and asorbing information, so if your teacher doesn't jive with you then you're not going to comprehend things as readily. Also, if you were doing 23 credits a semester... YEAH you're not going to have your A game going on everything! That's an asston of work!

Go study and do what you want to do- don't shove yourself in a box thinking "I'm not smart enough." YES you can do it and YES you're smart enough!

Thanks for the replies people.


Yah, having a backup plan is good, but Im pretty far along to the test pilot thing, I just got picked up to go to UPT for the Air National Guard (yay). At least that box is checked....


I guess I will just play it semester by semester...no hurt in dropping if i find out its not the right decision.

Playing it by ear is a good way to go.

I think you'll find that the science sticks better when you have something concrete to apply it to: aeronautics, for example. You _were_ playing the school game, and the school game is to pass -- not necessarily to learn. But you are coming to an understanding of what these courses were all about, and grad school will help further that, because applying what you learn and synthesizing new info from it is what grad school is all about.

So I'd just ask you a couple of questions:

1) Are you willing to work as hard at understanding now as you did at passing, before? Because if you are, you'll probably make it.

2) Have you ever failed at anything academically, or at much of anything you really tried hard for? It doesn't sound like it. If that's the case, then you'll do what you need to do to make grad school work -- ie, _really_ learn something.

The other thing to remember is that even when you get out of grad school, it's only the beginning; they don't teach you everything you need to know, just what you need to know to keep learning more . Just talking to people in different professions, I found a consensus that it really takes about seven years in practice to really get on top of your profession.

well, you seem smarter than me, so no, you are not stupid. :)

well, I am officially enrolled for Fall Semester starting August 28th. I have 18 months before my military pilot training starts (thank goodness for the 1.5 year delay that air national guard units have.)

Maybe in 2 years I can dig up this thread and tell everyone I am a test pilot ;].

Washington - Good luck, enjoy and I hope you get there! :)

What Career path did you see yourself taking to get to be a test pilot? Step 1 is become a pilot (often involves joining the military-which you seem to be working on). Step 2 get accepted to one of the five recognized test pilot schools in the world: [Empire Test Pilot School-United Kingdom, EPNER Test Pilot School-France, US Air Force Test Pilot School-USA(California), US Naval Test Pilot School-USA(Maryland), or National Test Pilot School-USA(California)]

I don’t know much about the other Schools but I worked at the US Air Force Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) for four years as their Network Systems Integrator and still know many people that work there. The USAF TPS does not require a master’s degree for entrance. They do require the following:
(Taken from their public web page: http://www.edwards.af.mil/tps/eligibility.htm )

• BS in Engineering, Mathematics or Physics (Some physical science degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Pilot must be Active Duty(in a military aviators career) and not in suspended flying status
• Pilots must have served at least 12 months as aircraft commander in a major weapon system
• Pilots must be qualified instructor pilots in a major weapon system or have at least 750 hours total time (total time excludes student time and unmanned aerial vehicle controller time)

The requirements for the other schools are similar. National TPS is private/non-military.You can find out about the other schools by doing a Google Search on “Test Pilot School” or by visiting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_pilot#External_links

P.M. me if you have questions that you think I might be able to help you with.

I currently am a civilian pilot. I have 2000 hours total time, commercial Multi/Single CFI-I, MEI, etc etc.

I got accepted to UPT and will start in 1.5 years (ANG unit).

I know that you dont need a masters, but I want a masters. If I make it to test pilot school, I dont want to stop there....I wont say where my dreams are after that...but its very lofty and humerous to even think of it....but, lets just say a masters degree would help ;].

I know exactly how you feel. I seem to "forget" things I learned in the previous semesters. I think a lot of it has to do with study habits and like other people said, desire. If your desire is only to make good grades then that is one thing, true understanding is a different thing.

That being said I don't think they are 100% separate. You've got to have confidence. You know a lot more than you think! Taking one class will never make you an expert in things and the speed most courses run at I don't know if there really is enough time to truly understand something. The reinforcement of your grad level courses will help you recall things and further understand them but I'm convinced it takes real world experience and application to ever truly consider one's self an expert in anything.

Sounds you've got the desire and the background needed, nothing standing in your way except yourself and probably a little luck too. :)

Best of luck to you in achieving your goals!

(You've inspired me to look over my old notes from Thermo, Heat Transfer, and various other courses that I feel like I've "forgotten" so much of).