I Hate My Math Class

Actually, it's gone quite a bit beyond hatred. I hate it so much I can't even stand to look at it any longer. I'm quite certain I'm going to fail. If there was any way I could drop it and retain my assistantship, I would, but I can't, since it would take me below full-time status. I'm thinking of doing it anyway, because if I fail it I not only lose my assistantship but get thrown out of school altogether!

The course is "scientific computing," a subject which also goes by the name "numerical methods." It's all about how to do calculus and solve differential equations via numerical computer algorithms. No truth-and-beauty seekers need apply; it's a course for people with the souls of accountants but much higher math aptitude. I'm having trouble with it not because it's particularly challenging intellectually, at least not for a graduate-level math course. It's just a large volume of very boring material that I have trouble concentrating on.

The amazing thing is that anyone managed to stay awake thinking about this stuff for long enough to invent it. I suppose there must be people who enjoy the subject, like the guy teaching it, but they probably also enjoy masturbating while dangling from the ceiling by fish hooks attached to their nipples. Now that I think about it, some of the concepts were invented by Newton, who never married and had no known lovers. I guess we know what he was up to late at night.