Posted by Racer on April 27, 2006, at 21:53:56
In reply to Need some advice regarding being geeky, posted by orchid on April 27, 2006, at 14:49:37
This might not help anyone, although I'd like to point out that I *am* feminine, my body is made up almost entirely of curving parts, I flirt and laugh with men, and no one would ever accuse me of being like a man in any of my general encounters in the world.
But I'm good at math, and I think of that as being part of my feminine self. I'm interested in and good at various other sciences, and I think of that as being part of my feminine self. I was a good computer geek, and thought of that as being perfectly feminine -- especially when it was trouble-shooting logic trees, etc.
I just erased a long post here, that really didn't get anywhere. Instead, let me say this: there are men out there who are dumb -- and you won't hear anyone call them "feminine" or "womanly" because of it. (And angels and ministers of grace defend me -- I was about to frame that thought as a math problem...)
If you're concerned about remaining feminine and womanly while studying science, wear a dress when you go to class. I used to. And I loved it when all the Serious Male Students would assume I was dumb as a flat rock because of that skirt. Because you know what? I still got the second highest grade in most every class I took.
The procrastination? I would bet that's a flavor of anxiety. "Oh my gosh! What if I don't do as well as I think I should? What if it's too hard for me? What if..." I'm going through that right now, in a way. (And pity poor GG who has to hear all too much about it!) I just started taking a couple of classes at a local junior college, and I worried a lot that I wouldn't be able to keep up, that I couldn't get back to being the student I was twenty years ago, etc. And I worried that I would somehow, fundamentally, fail. The semester is coming to an end, I've survived -- still have a pulse, at least -- and so far I'm passing everything. Will I be able to get the same grades I used to get? Only time will tell. Will I survive if I don't? I have been assured that I will. (And I will believe it IF I see it...)
What I try to tell myself, though is this: if I take this class, at the end of 15 weeks I will have new information that I want. If I don't take this class because I am too afraid of not doing well, at the end of 15 weeks -- I'll still be wanting to get that information!
I also remind myself that if I audit the class, I will wish I had gone for the grade. I also remind myself that I could improve my study habits to improve my grades. {sigh}
Hope that helps. And, for what it's worth, I *love* knowing that I can keep up with men intellectually, and on "their" turf -- all while wearing 2.5" heels!
poster:Racer
thread:637513
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060422/msgs/637663.html