School results and future studies thoughts

[annabtg]

As of today, I'm a high school graduate.

And I'm happy to say that the grade thing went great. I've got a final grade of 19.3/20, which grants me both Distinctions (one for being above 18 and one for being top of my class) this year too *and* is above 19, as I wanted. Not to mention that, along with another girl who got the same grade, I'm top of the whole graduate class! :)) (There's some monetary prize that goes with being top of the graduate class, too. Cool! Dunno how much it is, though.)

Currently (read: since I've got my university access grade) I'm stressing out over what to study. Medicine is probably the one school in my available fields I won't be able to access. And I know I was thinking Biology and Chemistry as my alternatives, but everyone's making me reconsider, since I have also access to departments such as Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Pharmaceutics, which have better financial prospects and are also interesting. The thing with Biology and Chemistry is that your options after you're done are either teaching (and I'm too short-tempered for that), research (which is fabulous, but doesn't pay) and work in hospitals or factories respectively (with low salary and almost no prospect of promotion, because of doctors and engineers, respectively, being the main wheels of these engines). I knew all that already, and didn't mind the low salary part, but as my father pointed out, "you'll mind when you grow up". Well, I guess that's true, since he won't be covering all of my expenses forever...
Anyways, Dad, the Biologist, says I should only keep them as my last option. And I guess that so I will.

So now I'm examining the pros and cons of Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Pharmaceutics. (I'll spare you the ramblings that constitute this examination.) I'm leaning towards Pharmaceutics, but still haven't fully made up my mind.

We'll see.

Off to write fic! (Muse came back yesterday, yay!)

See ya,
Anna :)

Comments

kapello... you get the idea :p

[(Anonymous)]

Anna, congrats and WTG on those high marks! And prized too, awesome!

Why would you be unable to hit medecine?

OK. OK. In that case, I'd go for Civil engineering. But I'm not you and if I recall right, you also had a thing for computer engineering.

In any case, even tough money is important, go for your dream job field 'cause it's likely you'll have to work a great part of your life. If not your whole life. So, better choose a job that makes you wanna wake up in the morning. be it researching, teaching or else! :)

Weir. I have a 'déjà vu' feeling ;)

TC+LOL,

Carole

Re: kapello... you get the idea :p

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

If things go like last year, I'm about 100 points away from Medicine.

LOL, yeah, I've been indecisive before, haven't I? Only then it was natural sciences vs. foreign languages...

...Ouf, so many things to consider. That's why I'm not positive on Pharmaceutics yet. I really like that field, but it's working in a shop that doesn't really appeal to me. On the other hand, as my father says, I can have the income from the pharmacy, maybe hire someone to work there, and then dedicate myself to research :)

See ya,
Anna.

Re: kapello... you get the idea :p

[(Anonymous)]

I have a cousin that's in last year of her her pharmacy studies. Dunno how it works in Greece but here, it's a bit like studying law: you spend the first two years memorizing name of pills with what they cure, what are their second effects, when can you prescribe it? when can you not? What are their component (molecularly speaking), etc. It's interesting, but I know I would have troubles with the 'learning by heart for two years'part. OTOH, if it's really what you want to do, once again I'd say: 'Go for it!

I also know scientists that teach at various universities. But if you dig a little depeer and listen, their real fantasy is to drop teaching and dedicate themselve to research. Again, matters from which POV you're seing it.

and...do I make sense? coz I don't think so.

Carole

Re: kapello... you get the idea :p

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

No, you *are* making sense.

That's not what Pharmaceutics studies are about over here, according to what I see in the schedule of the University of Thessaloniki. You study various subjects of Chemistry and Biology - Botanics, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Enzymes, stuff like that. *rubs hands* Just what I like. That's why the more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to study it.

Besides, there's another pro with working in a pharmacy; I'll be able to have a flexible schedule, which is very important for me. I want to be able to have a family life.

See ya,
Anna.

Re: kapello... you get the idea :p

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, and just a thought:

if you don't want to play saleswoman in a pharmacy shop, why ot choose to be the one who prepares the medecines? go to the great laboratories meeting to see what news drug they came up with? or... sounds silly but the pharmacy I'm used to also does herboristery. You could disgress. Pharmacy studies could only be the beginning.

I kwow at some point I studied biology 'cause I found working on new plants with our national institut on agronomical research (INRA)appealing. It was... but I prefer journalism. ;)

Point being: whatever you choose, if you know where you're heading and where you want to go, in the end, you'll get there. Don't worry.

Carole (I think I'll just go to bed before posting more meaningles answers)

Re: kapello... you get the idea :p

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

why ot choose to be the one who prepares the medecines?

My thought exactly!

See ya,
Anna :)

[doranwen.livejournal.com]

Awesome for getting top marks in your class! Even though you tied with someone else, you still get that prize, right? Free money is always good. (g)

And definitely, go for what you want to do. Teaching will never make *that* much money for me, but I'd go nuts in a job that I didn't like even if I made lots of money, so I have to teach. Do what you like, 'cause you'll be doing it for years . . .

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Doran! I'm not sure on the details, I think we'll share the prize - but I'll definitely get something *g*

As I said to Carole, that's why I'm positive on Pharmaceutics. It's the field I like the most, but it's working in a shop that doesn't really appeal to me. On the other hand, as my father says, I can have the income from the pharmacy, maybe hire someone to work there, and then dedicate myself to research :) (I discuss these things only with my father; my mother drives me nuts *g*)

Alas, the only thing I really like is translating. But I decided against it a long time ago, because future prospects = zero.

See ya,
Anna.

P.S.:

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

No, that's a lie. I like research just as much. But translating is easier, and I can do it in my spare time too ;)

Re: P.S.:

[doranwen.livejournal.com]

Lol, and I bet there is *something* of a future in translating. At least for a side thing to do. Sas, at least, does translating on the side, I think. I forget exactly what Saara does--I know it's freelance, whatever it is. So you could make some money at it, even if you didn't devote yourself to it.

Re: P.S.:

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

See, I love translating so much I don't care if I don't make any money at all out of it *g* It's just a favourite hobby. Which means I can do it whenever I want and translate whatever I want. Better this way *g*

Besides, to tell you the truth, deep inside I always had the ambition of becoming a scientist *g*

See ya,
Anna :)

[nene2811.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, Anna! Those are very high marks. Well done, you! :)

As for what to do in the future, well, whatever you decide to do I have this feeling you'll excel in it. So, find something you like and go for it. :)

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your faith in me, El :)

See ya,
Anna :)

[meringue-kiss.livejournal.com]

Your Muse is back! Mine is back too! Perhaps they are somewhat related... :D But the good thing is, I'm not just sitting on my arse in front of the compy, checking my friends' page every few seconds. :P

Wow. You're probably going to do wonderfully, Anna-luv.

*blinks* I'm thoroughly amazed at how you can get a 19.3/20. That's really, really, REALLY good. And... moneeey. You can never have too much of that. Unless you're like... Bill Gates. Who(m?) you're probably not.

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Annie! And yay, it's writing time! *nags you discreetly - because sometimes intense nagging has the opposite results...*

See ya,
Anna :)

[mercutio-rane.livejournal.com]

Your dad is a smart man. I'll tell you the one thing that I wish someone would have told me.

Your field should be:
- something you love
- Is it something that will allow you to make a decent living for yourself.

:) (*laird, who has two liberal arts degrees and knows what it's like to starve* ;)

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Aww, laird! Nothing worse than being unable to put your skills into good use.

Thanks for the advice! :)

See ya,
Anna :)

[ksarasara.livejournal.com]

Yay! Brilliant job, Anna! I'll ditto the others and say do what you love. My chemistry teacher always told us: You have to do what makes your heart sing.

Great advice. :) Good luck deciding! :)

Sara :)

[ksarasara.livejournal.com]

Hee! Didn't meant to use the spork it icon. *g* Meant to use this one. ;)

And I forgot to say yay for the return of the muse!

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Sara! For the advice and all. And yay indeed, she's back!

Btw, I think the spork it icon is fun *g* But the other one is very, very nice.

See ya,
Anna.