The elephant in the room here is that perhaps the biggest difference between the two learning experiences that OP is describing is himself.

He might just have discovered he is more mature at 30 than he was at 18...

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radialstub 9 hours ago | parent | next [-]

There is a difference between learning about things that you find interesting at your own pace, and learning about things that interest other people with tight deadlines. Even if I enjoy learning, there were absolutely courses that were just a waste of time.

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aleph_minus_one 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> Even if I enjoy learning, there were absolutely courses that were just a waste of time.

My university experience is somewhat different, and I believe whether this holds true or not depends a lot on the degree course:

- In mathematics, there are barely any "filler courses". Basically all of them were interesting in their own right (even though because of your own interests, you will likely find some more exciting than others).

- On the other hand, computer science more felt like every professor had their own opinion how the syllabus should be, and the hodgepodge that came out of it was adopted as syllabus (design by committee). Thus, there were quite a lot of interesting things to learn, but also "filler courses". Additionally, the syllabus did not feel like a "consistent whole" with a clear vision, but rather like lots of isolated courses that you had to pass.

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7 hours ago | parent | next [-]

[deleted]

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eitally 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I suspect even many math majors probably believe "general ed" required classes to be a waste of time. Point well taken, though: there are some subjects that do not lend themselves to editorializing or opinion. I majored in history & comparative religion as an undergrad and most of my lower level courses I'd consider to be "fact retention" efforts. Lots of reading, but not a lot of analysis or synthesis. I took mostly graduate level courses because of this for most of my last two years (and this was at a top 5 public university).

	▲	aleph_minus_one 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		> I suspect even many math majors probably believe "general ed" required classes to be a waste of time. In the German university system, there are in general no required "general ed" classes. :-) (it is typically only required that you do some often prescribed classes in a minor subject that you can commonly choose from a typically pre-defined list by the faculty (but if you hate all of the suggestions from this pre-defined list, it is sometimes possible to choose other minor subject or classes, but this will typically involve more bureacracy). For example, when stuying mathematics, it is common to choose physics, computer science, economics or some engineering science as minor). Any further general education classes (in particular foreign language courses) are completely optional - and it is not an uncommon complaint of students who have very broad interests that during a typical degree course, you have barely any time to attend classes outside of the prescribed syllabus.

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RhysU 8 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> ...there were absolutely courses that were just a waste of time.

How? Surely over 15 weeks each course taught you something about either the world or yourself.

I just looked back over my undergrad transcript to double check my experience. I took something away from every single class. It wasn't always the material itself.

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Ozzie_osman 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

100%. Learning with autonomy and choice is much more enjoyable (and there is lots of research to show it's more effective).

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skeeter2020 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

My neighbour was telling me about how his 18-yr-old daughter was taking a liberal arts degree at a new-style sounding school. For a kid out of HS it sounded terrible, but to 40 yr-old me it sounded amazing as a second degree!

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firesteelrain 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

This resonates with me. BS in Computer Science starting when 18. All very overwhelming. Graduated with 3.0 GPA.

Twenty years later. More experienced, working as a software and systems engineer. Masters in Systems Engineering and achieved 4.0 GPA. College was easier.

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skeeter2020 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Similar experience. Two things I think: 1. you figure out the system your first go-around, 2. you want it more the second time through.

	▲	firesteelrain 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I wouldn’t say I wanted it more the second time. I was much more comfortable in my life seeing as I came from a single mother household and had no money. Now I make six figures and don’t really need the degree so I was able to enjoy it. It helps at work to have a masters but it’s not required.