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Dear the MO community. I am currently a 2nd year undergraduate and I’m finding it really hard to cope with my current studies. The problem is, the things I’m supposed to be taking right now are of no interest to me for the following reason: those subjects are completely useless to me. I pretty much just ignore those subjects and cram in everything at the last minute. Today I just realized I missed a class test for the second time because the time of the test was given in the lectures and was never posted on my student net account, and I never go to lectures. This tipped the final supporting pillar in me. My interests are very narrow and I’m planning to work exclusively on the applications of K-theory in string theory (well, I don’t understand any of that stuff right now still struggling with the basics of homological algebra). Yes you ask why so narrow? Well, some people are just different. I read somewhere Paul Cohen was admitted into grad school when he was a sophomore too. However, Cohen is far brighter than me and I know I won’t stand a chance at grad school. I simply can’t make myself do the things I’m supposed to be doing, and I know it’s no good trying to jump into grad school. So I’m at a loss here as to what to do next. Can someone offer me some suggestions?

I hope this question is appropriate. Thanks.

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 @User: this question seems far too specific to me. Shouldn't you be asking your advisor things like this? – Qiaochu Yuan Sep 27 2010 at 3:25
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 I'm certain that this is not a graduate level mathematics question, but it is necessary to walk before running. You have to know the basics in order to understand the advanced concepts. Even if you invent everything on your own, you need to know the common vocabulary and terminology and commonly accepted symbols and formulaic constructions in order to be able to communicate with others in your field. -- I would vote to close this question if I had the capacity to vote at that level. I agree with Qiaichu that your advisor should be asked. But you need to look out for yourself, as well. – sleepless in beantown Sep 27 2010 at 3:50
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 @Peter Humphries, my memory of undergraduate at MIT (decades ago) had advisors assigned to freshman students immediately, followed by advisors in the appropriate department(s) as major(s) were declared. If the student does not have an advisor, "User" needs to find someone to speak with in the mathematics department, and a general advisor or counselor for a reminder about self-responsibility. Attending lectures may or may not be a requisite; but attending and taking examinations almost always is. Good study-habits and school habits, such as not missing tests, are basics to be mastered. – sleepless in beantown Sep 27 2010 at 4:22
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 I cast the final vote to close the question, since I agree with the commenters above that this is in the realm of personal advice. Nevertheless, when I picture myself in the position of such an advisor, with a student who walks into my office and gives the above spiel, I am not at all sure what my response would be. I have always found the narrowness of interests of some students to be both vexing and puzzling. This such an extreme case that I wouldn't know what to say (other than "please go to class"). – Pete L. Clark Sep 27 2010 at 5:44
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 My real advice is to take a year off from college. Also consider switching colleges after that. Your obsession with string theory might last but is doing you no good at this time, nor is college. I would restate the fact that you are not working into the idea that you do not want to be there. Staying there and flunking out is not going to help either. As to other topics inside and outside mathematics, you are displaying traditional "contempt prior to examination," (William Paley 1794) meaning you need to find reasons to accept that the rest of human knowledge is good for something. – Will Jagy Sep 27 2010 at 18:15
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closed as off topic by Gjergji Zaimi, Will Jagy, Ryan Budney, Yemon Choi, Pete L. Clark Sep 27 2010 at 4:14

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