What university course should I take?

[Cherub721]

This will sound weird, but I would love to re-take some math classes (trigonometry, calculus, whatever). I was always decent in math, to the extent that I took enough classes in high school for college credit that I didn't need to take any math in college, and I did ok, but didn't get everything I could have out of it. I chose not to take elective math in college, and my major and minor were both in the humanities, which I loved, don't get me wrong. But I think back to some of my high school classes and the teachers going through all the proofs for the different theorems and I wish I could do all that again and pay attention this time. Like, now that I'm an adult I finally understand what they meant when they said math teaches you how to think. I think taking more math probably would've helped me in law school actually.

I find learning math similar to learning language in a way - it's all about learning complex rules and being able to apply them instinctively. In a similar vein, I really enjoyed taking Formal Logic in college, so I would recommend that, or any philosophy courses.

[znachki]

I always say, if you love literature, don't take a college lit class.

That's not strictly true, of course, but you know what I mean. I'd love a class in Textual Studies for instance.

I enjoyed the survey type classes I took in geography, oceanography, and geology (Yay rocks for jocks!). I clearly was not a science major.

Comparative History of Ideas would be cool.

However even though my major - which was an interdisciplinary degree - was concentrated in history, I'd be all over more history. I always want to know more.

I'd like courses in Indian History (as in India), or the US in the late 18th & early 19th Century or any of those time betwen the major events - what all was going on between the Revolution and the Civil War, or between the Civil War and WWI. Unless you get deeper than High School, most people haven't had much of that.

[IceAlisa]

When I was still keeping my French in working order, I took a few Alliance Française lit course--they were fun, made so by the great instructor, a lovely person, a wonderful teacher, very snarky yet kind. I loved these classes.

[Cachoo]

French language immersion program: Off to France you go!

[NinjaTurtles]

You might investigate what professors are highly recommended and see if they're teaching any courses for your preferred semester. I don't know if the students of your institution use http://ratemyprofessors.com, but it could be a starting point.

[Gazpacho]

Okay, so I've looked through the course catalog and have narrowed it down to this list. I'm not guaranteed enrollment in any of these because students naturally get priority, and some I may not be eligible for because of prerequisites or admission requirements. I know I'm not eligible for Intro to Nursing, for example. Some classes I had been considering won't work with my schedule. This are all intro classes except for Organic Chemistry. Any thoughts?

Architectural Design--Big time commitment (12 lecture/lab hours a week!), but it seems interesting.

Community Planning

Japanese--This is one language that isn't offered in the adult school. I was interested in Russian, but they don't offer it.

Interior Design

Organic Chemistry--Almost failed in college and want to prove to myself that I can do it. There is a lecture section and a lab section. The lab section isn't compatible with my work schedule, but I think that's okay. My concern is that it's been a loooooong time since I've taken Intro Chemistry. How important is intro Chemistry for Organic Chemistry?

Physics--Almost failed in high school and almost failed again in college and want to prove to myself that I can do it. Still remember basic calculus but not advanced stuff. How important would that be?

[skateycat]

Interesting that you've got so many classes you want to take just to prove you can.

That's partly why I'm doing a thesis in my current master's program - because I didn't finish the thesis with the last MA. I want to make sure I can. So far, so good. I'm getting more help this time.

That said, if I were in your shoes, I'd be leaning towards Interior Design, because I am so interior design challenged, but I love the feeling of a well put together home. Similar thing with Community Planning, but also it fits in with my work. Or maybe Japanese.

I tried playing on an adult volleyball league because I was the kid who was always picked last for the team and I wanted to get over my fear of team sports. Supposedly the people in this league were nice. But all they did was confirm my fears. I have decided life is too short to do something I'm rotten at.

[Angelskates]

Any thoughts?

Architectural Design--Big time commitment (12 lecture/lab hours a week!), but it seems interesting.

Community Planning

Japanese--This is one language that isn't offered in the adult school. I was interested in Russian, but they don't offer it.

Interior Design

Organic Chemistry--Almost failed in college and want to prove to myself that I can do it. There is a lecture section and a lab section. The lab section isn't compatible with my work schedule, but I think that's okay. My concern is that it's been a loooooong time since I've taken Intro Chemistry. How important is intro Chemistry for Organic Chemistry?

Physics--Almost failed in high school and almost failed again in college and want to prove to myself that I can do it. Still remember basic calculus but not advanced stuff. How important would that be?

I'd go for either of the design courses, or Japanese. But I didn't fail physics or organic Chemistry I think I'd go for something creative, because I'd find it more enjoyable.

Did you like physics or organic chemistry?

[Cachoo]

Okay, so I've looked through the course catalog and have narrowed it down to this list. I'm not guaranteed enrollment in any of these because students naturally get priority, and some I may not be eligible for because of prerequisites or admission requirements. I know I'm not eligible for Intro to Nursing, for example. Some classes I had been considering won't work with my schedule. This are all intro classes except for Organic Chemistry. Any thoughts?

Architectural Design--Big time commitment (12 lecture/lab hours a week!), but it seems interesting.

Community Planning

Japanese--This is one language that isn't offered in the adult school. I was interested in Russian, but they don't offer it.

Interior Design

Organic Chemistry--Almost failed in college and want to prove to myself that I can do it. There is a lecture section and a lab section. The lab section isn't compatible with my work schedule, but I think that's okay. My concern is that it's been a loooooong time since I've taken Intro Chemistry. How important is intro Chemistry for Organic Chemistry?

Physics--Almost failed in high school and almost failed again in college and want to prove to myself that I can do it. Still remember basic calculus but not advanced stuff. How important would that be?

I like that you want to challenge yourself with previous classes that you found difficult. But the design classes sound so interesting to me. The choice is personal---let us know what you decide.

[Simone411]

There's a website called Coursera where you can sign up to take online courses for free. It's pretty cool.

Thanks for sharing the link. Found a course on there that looks pretty interesting.

Learning to program:

https://www.coursera.org/#course/programming1

[skateboy]

Japanese or Interior Design would be my choices. Good luck!

[DORISPULASKI]

Community planning for me, provided the professor is pretty good.

I'd like to understand the choices our city planning department makes, and what inputs they are likely to consider.

For one thing, if I hate a choice they're making, (and I sometimes do), I'd like to be able to understand their arguments (and perhaps now accept them) or else be able to be better able to phrase my counterarguments in terms that might convince them to change their minds.

[mkats]

Take one each semester and work your way through the list?

I took a year of Japanese in college solely for fun and I loved it. (It was a little tough having that class right before my Spanish literature class, though, some days I'd meet my friends for dinner and forget my English )

[Gazpacho]

Take one each semester and work your way through the list?

That would be good! I don't know how long I'll be working here, and I also don't know how long the program will be in place. There is talk that the Spring 2013 semester will be limited to people taking it for credit. That means you have to go through the application process and pay the application fee. The HR person said that you would have to pay the application fee every single semester. There is also talk that it will be reduced to one free class per academic year and another on a sliding scale of tuition with the best paid employees paying 50% tuition.

I don't know what the status of these proposed changes are, and the HR website about this benefit has been "under construction" every time I've checked it.

[Angelskates]

I enrolled in Historical Issues in Art and Design yesterday

Gaz, have you made a decision yet?