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Jump starting the brain. - 2/9/2007 8:03:29 PM   
Aileen68


Posts: 6091
Joined: 8/2/2005
Status: offline 		I've been out of the work force for almost seven years with another two to go before my youngest starts kindergarten.  My degree in art history is obsolete.
I'm going back to school starting in September.  Any suggestions on how to get my brain back in gear.  Back into that learning and fact retention mode that you loose when you don't use it?  I've been reading much more and have been working on my portfolio.  What I'm going back to school for is art related, so getting the creative juices flowing again is just as important as is the educational aspect too.  I'm anxious, nervous and extremely excited.
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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/9/2007 8:20:00 PM   
domiguy


Posts: 12952
Joined: 5/2/2006
Status: offline 		Andie MacDowell: Believe it or not I studied art history.
Bill Murray: What a waste of time! I mean for someone else, that would be an incredible waste of time. So bold of you to even choose that, it's incredible. You must be a very, very strong person.

Start setting aside some time on a daily basis....Go to the book store of whatever school of "higher education" wiil have you...do a little research in what might be the reading material...pick up the required reading for those classes.......or brush up on the skills that will be necessary...to jump back into school. If possible speak with an advisor from Sally Struthers University to see what you can do to prepare yourself.   This way you will have an idea of what is expected of you...and you won't be approaching your new school totally cold.


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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/9/2007 8:26:03 PM   
BitaTruble


Posts: 9779
Joined: 1/12/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		I'd start by rereading (or reading them for the first time if you haven't already) the 'classics'. Pick a subject which fascinates you then delve deeply into it, research things, get yourself a yellow highlighter and underline the passages which speak to you, do internal reflection on 'why' they speak to you. Do math problems, start reading encyclopedias and the dictionary. Study the etymology of words, choose an edible plant and research recipes using it, then make them.. and, stay out of the random stupidity threads... they're brain suckers. ::chuckles::

Celeste

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 12:58:21 AM   
NorthernGent


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Joined: 7/10/2006
Status: offline 		Aileen,

Cutting a long story short, my work includes guiding people back into work and training (for various reasons - previous mental health issues, those who took a break to start a family etc). I manage the financial side which involves various projects to generate business growth, improved quality of life etc.

Invariably, those looking to get back on the horse are anxious. Thus, you're in good company in this regard.

My advice is to remember what you achieved at work and in your degree. You haven't lost that ability, it has simply been having break. 



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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 2:49:40 AM   
meatcleaver


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Status: offline 		In everything but the hard sciences and practical skills where proof of your skills and knowledge can be objectively judged, life is a confidence trick so just read, discuss and debate.

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 2:54:44 AM   
gypsygrl


Posts: 1471
Joined: 10/8/2005
From: new york state
Status: offline 		How can a degree in any kind of history be obsolete? :)

One way to get your head back into the swing of things is to find some voluteer work relevant to your field.  This will give you practice interacting on a professional level and enhance your vita.  You could also attend conferences and subscribe to journals, especially if you're going to remain in art history. 


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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 2:58:24 AM   
meatcleaver


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quote:

ORIGINAL: gypsygrl

How can a degree in any kind of history be obsolete? :)



So so true and if there is one sort of history that cries out to be argued, discussed and rewritten, it is art history.

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 3:55:30 AM   
wandersalone


Posts: 4666
Joined: 11/21/2005
Status: offline 		If you have any time to spare could you volunteer at the local art gallery to be a tour guide?  I am sure your knowledge would be a bonus for them. Maybe also get back into the study mode by setting yourself short essay type questions related to artists, paintings etc.  This isn't to see if you are right or wrong but more to practise your critical thinking and the formal writing styles that are used in assignments. 

Now is also a good time to start thinking about your actual return to study -  do you have a quiet place to study, recipes for quick and easy meals in the first few weeks, supportive friends and family, childcare, transport and so on.  I look forward to hearing how you go with the return to study later in the year.

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 5:29:06 AM   
lighthearted


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Status: offline 		I took a part time job in a craft store and taught classes.  it was a great way to re-ignite my creativity and also discover other skills I had.  answering questions helped get my brain back into gear as well. 

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 6:48:44 AM   
happypervert


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Joined: 5/11/2004
From: Scranton, PA
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quote:

Back into that learning and fact retention mode that you loose when you don't use it?

I think this assumption is false -- you are learning and retaining facts, just for different stuff than you would have in school. For example, I bet you remember a lot (if not all) of the stupid stuff and drama you've seen around here; sure, it is all useless bullshit, but you learned it, and if there was a test right now to get your degree in collarme lunacy you'd probably get an A.

If school is gonna require one of your dormant skills, it will be in writing papers; that is a process of putting together ideas logically and coherently. It is a skill you can shapen here by writing some long thoughtful posts which we figure you can do but we rarely see; and just think -- this place is full of professors who would love nothing better than to rip apart your arguments if they aren't sound, so it will be great preparation. Better start practicing soon because your teachers ain't gonna be pleased if the papers you hand in are like most posts here consisting of a single line with a smart ass remark.


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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 7:22:41 AM   
KatyLied


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Joined: 2/24/2005
From: Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Aileen, practice on us.....you know you want to.




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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 12:00:47 PM   
SDFemDom4cuck


Posts: 2809
Joined: 5/23/2005
From: P'burgh PA
Status: offline 		Aileen68

First and foremost...Woohooo! Congratulations! It's scary and anxiety ridden to return back to school but well worth it. I just did so myself in October and I'm loving it.

Thoughts on getting back into the swing of things:

Volunteer at a museum in your area.

Offer to help out in a local school's art classes (perhaps your UM's)

Many colleges and universities will let you sit in on classes to let you get a feel for what's going to be required. See if yours will allow you to audit the classes you'll be attending for a week. Some institutions will even have classes especially for returning students that help in how to study and get back into an educational mode of thinking.

Start doing some projects art wise that you want to do and play with it. It doesn't have to be perfect but it will get your brain engaged into the mind frame needed for creation (whatever happened with the mobile?) or even try to work in a medium you aren't familiar with previously.

As far as fact retention and study goes...

pick a subject you're interested in and then study it..try to explain it to others. I'm sure you have lots of people here in the forums that would volunteer to be a sounding board for this.

Personally I'm dealing with alot of medical terms and situations I wasn't previously familiar with and I've learned that index cards and repetition have helped immensely. I purchased one of those little coupon files and label within for a subject or chapter then made up cards for terminology, definitions, chapter points etc. One file has turned into 5 now. Not to mention making it easy to find the information I need when I need it.

I don't think you've lost it..you just need to get back into the habits again. Once you do it will become easy again. Congratulations again...you should be proud!




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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 3:49:44 PM   
Sinergy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: gypsygrl

How can a degree in any kind of history be obsolete? :)



That was my thought.  Do interpretations of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" change that much over time?

Sinergy

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/10/2007 4:00:06 PM   
windchymes


Posts: 9410
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Status: offline 		The best piece of advice I will give you, and you will thank me for this someday, is, when you're writing a paper, SAVE is your best friend.  SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.  Save after each paragraph. 

There are few moments so horrifying as the realization that what you have just spent three hours typing and are near finishing has vanished forever because you were tippy-typing along and your pinky fingernail clipped some key and wiped out your project. 

Save, honey, save!   And good luck!

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RE: Jump starting the brain. - 2/11/2007 5:17:14 AM   
Aileen68


Posts: 6091
Joined: 8/2/2005
Status: offline 		*fast reply*

Thanks all for the tips.  I've begun to involve myself in projects where I give myself realistic timelines. 
The reference to my degree being obsolete was more along the lines of the fact that my BA in Art History from 17 years ago is not going to be what lands me a job.  The knowledge is still important, but the degree isn't useful.  It wasn't useful five years after I got it.  I would need a Masters degree at a minimum.

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