NaturaTek

Thx. I believe we are all our own hero, but it can be difficult to bring it out. The first step was a bit hard..the DECISION and commitment to get up and just do it. I found that many close people thought I was nuts and living some pipe dream. The 2nd step drove me nuts: applying at the local college. They thought I was transferring in from another college but alerted them of no college experience. College is a boat load of paper work for new comers (at least it was for me). The biggest thing was taking a computerized test to see where I'm at (Accuplacer Test). This will test your math, english, and essay writing and will determine if you will need 'remedial' courses before actual college courses. I passed all but the math. They wanted to give me somewhere around 4 remedial courses that would take 4 semesters (2 yrs) before doing actual college math courses and other courses that require basic math as prereq. I almost didn't go back. Like stated, I literally walked in and applied with no idea of the process. So I purchased Accuplacer study material, brushed up on basic math on my own, went back to take the math placement side and passed. Once you're in the college system, things start to get smoother.

Trust me, I know that feeling. If you have a unique interest you like to pursue, DO IT! Trust me when I tell you, your IT skills will also be a plus in the field. In archaeology, I see students who scan artifacts with xbox connect, create unique archaeological databases, use drones/robotics, etc. That feeling you have inside boils down to intellectual dissatisfaction. You've played the same video game for a while, mastered all the levels, and now just grudgingly try to replay with the only reward being money. Your brain wants a new game to challenge...to grow. Feed it.

Technically, I started college at 36 and now a few months away from a Bachelors of Science. Never had the opportunity to go to college so this is a first experience; I started from scratch. I still love IT, but reached a point where a constant feeling of being "intellectually unsatisfied" kept poking at me. After spending years of watching National Geographic, science documentaries, and reading, I decided to do something about it. I found that many students didn't care about age. But there has been a few students who questioned what I was doing, including 2 professors who wondered if I was in college because of unemployment/disability/welfare/etc.

Personally, I'm not a party animal. That said, I do gather with a few good people and hit the local pubs. I'm generally a funny guy, and although I'm somewhat initially shy, I had no prob with college community. I simply go to classes, library, occasional hangout with students, and some anthro/geology club meets. I haven't done any fraternity stuff if that is what you're asking (I turned down offers). EDIT: I won't lie, there have been just a few students who are 18-20 that talk about Twilight, make opinions on others, and other strange stuff that makes me feel 'out touch.'

My interest in archaeology is human origins. I find that the majority of arch students I've come across want to do stuff like pyramids or somewhere in Aztecs with the idea of digging up some gold statue. To me, searching for human origins is the true treasure. It is hard work; people often excavate for years only to find a skull or a bone - sometimes nothing. There aren't too many people (that I've met) who want to go out and do such tasks. H. floresiensis is one of many new discoveries. Another interesting thought is that climate change drove human evolution and large brain sizes. Checkout PBS 3 part series "Becoming Human." It's free to view online.