Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 5: Learning outside the system
• Part 2 of 5: Getting a scientist's mindset
• Part 3 of 5: Finding a good education
• Part 4 of 5: Getting a university degree
• Part 5 of 5: Working after your education
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Whether you want to become the next Albert Einstein (with a tenure!) Or just want to learn as much as possible, becoming a scientist is less difficult than it sounds! With diligence, discipline and determination, you too can bring science and study into your life. Read the article below to find out how!

To step

Part 1 of 5: Learning outside the system

1. Read a lot.
   • The best way to learn without formal training is to read a lot. Read as much as you can at every opportunity. This in itself can make you a scholar (because a scholar is really just someone who learns all the time).
   • You can buy and read books, but don't forget that you can also go to the library, where many books are available for free! The internet has made many library systems much more user-friendly, so that you can find, order and renew books from home.
   • There are also tons of books out there that you can read in digital versions for free, that you can save. Project Gutenberg is the best known, but you can also find a lot on Amazon Kindle.
2. Take classes.
   • Did you know that you can also take classes without having to graduate afterwards? If you are interested in learning a particular skill or subject, you can take classes in it without the expense of a degree. Some lessons are even free.
   • Ask the Volksuniversiteit whether you can take classes for a particular subject without having to take tests or receive grades.
   • You can also talk directly to the teacher and try to work out a plan together.
3. Try online training courses.
   • More and more new online courses are popping up with free lessons (MOOCS). You can take classes from top universities, some of which can be completed with completion certificates.
   • You can learn about a variety of skills and topics, from art and history to programming.
   • Popular options are Alleyoucanlearn and Mister Megens' math lessons.
   • You can also learn languages ​​online for free. A good site is Duolingo.
4. Educate yourself.
   • You can also teach yourself new skills and acquire new information yourself. People learn by doing, so get started!
   • You can educate yourself from books or other teaching materials, or you can learn things just by doing them. Just be careful not to hurt yourself!
   • This often takes a lot of determination and persistence, but you can do it! Do not give up!
5. Learn from others.
   • You can also learn a lot by talking to and learning from someone who is an expert in something. This is called: learning from someone.
   • Find someone who does what you want to learn, and offer them some money or a free helping hand - to show you how to do it.
   • This works better for skills than for academic subjects, but you may still be able to find someone who is kind enough to recommend good books or other ways of learning to you.

Part 2 of 5: Getting a scientist's mindset

1. Ask questions about anything.
   • Real scientists question everything they hear or read. They never take information straight away, and always try to make sure that the information they are working with is accurate.
   • If something doesn't seem right, it often is! Even things that initially appear to be true can be false, so always check to see if you are dealing with real facts.
2. Be curious.
   • Scientists are people who are naturally curious. They want to know everything!
   • You should be curious too, always trying to figure out how and why things are the way they are.
3. Love to learn.
   • Scientists like to learn about everything.
   • They enjoy learning themselves, not being smarter than others or knowing more facts.
   • It's not a trick or something to brag about; it's what makes them really happy!
4. Develop your own opinion.
   • Look at something from all sides and gather as much information about the topic as possible before forming an opinion.
   • Form your own opinion, instead of adopting someone else's. This is an important skill for scientists.
5. Be willing to change your mind.
   • Scientists must be willing to change their minds if they receive new information that invalidates their previous beliefs. This is one of the most important skills for a scholar.
   • Be open-minded and be willing to be wrong in your search for the truth.
6. Avoid prejudice.
   • Don't let your personal feelings influence your actions or the information you pass on to others.
   • If you disagree with something, it doesn't mean it's not true.
   • Give all information a chance and don't let prejudices influence your conclusions.

Part 3 of 5: Finding a good education

1. Get good grades.
   • It is important that you get good grades in high school, especially in the last two years. Colleges and universities will look at these numbers to decide whether or not to admit you.
   • Get good grades by studying, paying close attention in class, and doing all your (home) work.
   • Communicate often with your teachers and ask for extra help if you want to improve your grades.
2. Do more than just the most necessary work.
   • By only doing the minimum, you won't impress anyone, so go the extra mile and do your very best.
   • Take extra classes, take classes at the local college while you are still in high school, or work (for money or as a volunteer) outside of school hours.
   • Doing extra work related to the degree you want to get in college gives you an edge. This will look promising for the universities you apply to.
3. Learn more than one language.
   • Being able to speak another language is not only very useful in your own life, it is often also a requirement for a diploma! Show a university that you are ready by learning a language.
   • You can take private lessons at your school, take a language course, or do it online for free! Good online options are LiveMocha and DuoLingo.
   • Choose a language that is useful and that you will benefit from. If you choose a language with which you can do little else, it will be less attractive not only for you, but also for a university. Some languages ​​are more useful than others in certain regions, or for certain studies.
   • 1 or 2 foreign languages ​​can also be useful for reading older scientific articles that have not been translated into Dutch or English. The most useful languages ​​to learn are English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Latin and Russian.
   • You may also find it helpful to learn Arabic, Persian and / or Turkish. Many scientists and scholars are from Arabic speaking countries, Southeast Asia, the Ottoman Empire and Persia (modern Iran).
4. Study psychology and philosophy.
   • Studying psychology can be useful if you might have to deal with difficult people later on. It will help you better understand the nature of people.
   • By studying philosophy, your thinking ability will grow. You will be able to think better and more intensively.
5. Ensure good test results.
   • A good SAT (or equivalent) score makes a big difference to the study programs where you will be admitted. Get better scores to get into better schools.
   • Get good scores by studying and taking practice tests well before the test date.
   • You can also take a test multiple times if you wish.
   • Don't think that a bad or average score will stop you from doing the things you want to do. You can always start at a particular university first and move on to a better one later.
6. Write a great essay.
   • The essay for your entrance exam is very important and can help you gain admission to universities even if your grades or test scores are otherwise mediocre.
   • Find out what the university of your choice is looking for and then write something that matches it.
   • To be admitted, you must make yourself stand out by writing a unique essay. Whether you do this by choosing an unconventional subject, or simply by being academically excellent depends on the university you choose.

Part 4 of 5: Getting a university degree

1. Have clear goals from the start.
   • Knowing where to get a degree from the start of your college days will help you immensely. If you know what you want, you only have to take the lessons that fit your purpose, instead of taking all kinds of lessons that are of no further use to you.
   • It's okay to change your mind, of course, but knowing what you want early can really help.
   • If you can, use your time in high school to decide what to study and do with your life. Gaining experience in that area by volunteering can help you figure out what you really want (and don't want).
2. Spend time studying.
   • Study as much as you can and get good grades to make the most of your time in school.
   • Taking notes and paying attention in class will go a long way in learning. Get good at these skills to make it easier for you to reach your goal later.
   • You can study with others or alone. Do what works best for you. For example, the advantage of studying together is that you can use their notes.
   • Ask for help if necessary. You can ask your classmates, or use a tutor, or you can get help from your teacher or the dean.
3. Take the right lessons.
   • To obtain a diploma, you must - in addition to the compulsory subjects - take specific classes that you will need at university. Make sure you take the right classes so you can get your degree on time.
   • Look for classes that meet more than one requirement, that will also save time.
   • Only try to take classes related to your future career or degree. This will look better and help you get ready for college.
4. Write good papers.
   • Papers written by you often play a major role in determining your grades, so writing a good paper can only benefit your grades.Most courses ask for a paper written by you when you register. Having a good copy at hand can certainly have a positive effect on your admission.
   • Read other good papers to get ideas on how best to structure your paper, and how to present your thesis and evidence.
   • Try to be original. A paper about important research that has not yet been done by others makes you stand out as a scientist.
   • Start on time, so that you can show a draft version to the teacher for feedback well before submitting the final copy.
   • Make more than one draft and make sure it looks good!
5. Establish friendly relationships with your teachers.
   • Befriending your teachers is about more than getting a better grade because they like you. Your teachers can often be your ticket to good further education, and they may even be your colleagues later in your career.
   • Get to know them by taking advantage of their presence. But make sure you don't waste their time. Come in with real questions and listen carefully to what they have to say.
   • You can also get to know your teachers by showing your commitment during the lessons. Sit in the front, ask and answer questions, and participate enthusiastically.
   • You can also just have an informal chat and ask for advice. They also want you to succeed and are happy to give you a few tips on how best to work and progress in the relevant profession.
6. Take all necessary exams and exams.
   • For some academics, simply graduating is enough to be able to do whatever they want. However, some will also want to get a PhD.
   • This means that if you really want to spend the rest of your life as a scholar, you will also do further education. Keep in mind that after high school all your further education together can take more than 8 years!
   • It takes approximately 6 years to complete a doctoral program after obtaining a bachelor's degree. So this is the time you need to obtain your master's degree and complete a dissertation.
   • No reason to get nervous. A bachelor's degree is very different from high school and in some ways even easier. If you pass the entrance exam, you can probably handle it.
7. Do postdoctoral research. If you want a faculty position at a research-oriented or doctoral university, you must do at least one postdoctoral research after your doctoral degree. During this time (usually 2-4 years) you should publish as many articles as possible in the best known journals in your field.
8. Carry out other scientific activities.
   • During the time you spend at university, you can participate in all kinds of scientific activities that stimulate you spiritually and that you enjoy.
   • You can read for pleasure and explore your own research interests.
   • If you're more into social activities, you can even do group activities, such as joining a debating group.

Part 5 of 5: Working after your education

1. Find a job.
   • Once you get your degree, you probably want to find a job as a teacher or researcher. Teaching in universities is what most professional scientists are going to do.
   • Your university should have the resources to help you get a job after graduation.
   • Try to find well-paying positions on favorable terms, as you will likely have to pay back a large number of loans.
   • Try to get a job at a college or university as you have all kinds of resources at your disposal at these types of institutions that you wouldn't have elsewhere.
2. Start teaching.
   • Most colleges and universities allow teachers to work full-time and gain tenure. Tenure offers a number of benefits to academics, including protection against dismissal without due process or without good reason.
   • A tenured position at a top-level research institution requires a certain amount of demonstrable funding (especially in science and engineering) and a strong track record in publishing. There is also a 7-year trial period to determine whether you qualify for a permanent position. Just being a good teacher, with an impeccable track record in the field of research, usually won't get you tenured.
   • In science and engineering, assistant professors are usually given money to build a laboratory, purchase specialized equipment and supplies, and get their projects off the ground. This is usually regarded by the aspiring professors as an investment that their university has made in them. They must do their utmost to recoup and repay this investment, usually 2 to 3 times the starting amount, before they are eligible for a permanent position.
   • As a professor you have to give lectures on the subject in which you specialize. Some lectures will be closely related to this topic, but others may seem a bit far-fetched, especially if you are just starting out.
   • This means that you will have to speak in front of an audience. Sometimes that will be a very large number of people, for example if you lecture large groups of freshmen.
   • Don't be intimidated, though. During your studies you will gain a lot of experience in teaching, and if all goes well your department has also offered you help and guidance. Chances are, your students are more nervous than you are, because they want you to give them good grades!
3. Keep studying.
   • True scholars continue to study throughout their lives. The fact that you have successfully completed your studies does not mean that you will stop studying.
   • Keep reading a lot in your spare time. This usually means reading academic journals, as it keeps you up to date with the latest developments in your field.
   • Traveling can also be a great way to study. For many disciplines, it can be useful to travel abroad, to see what your colleagues in other countries are working on, or to access material that you may not have available where you live.
   • Get other degrees. Sometimes scientists follow some other studies and thus obtain extra diplomas. This can often help you advance in your career. If your research area overlaps with another area, it can also be very useful.
4. Attend conferences.
   • Conferences are gatherings of a large number of scientists who specialize in a particular field. They come together to present their research to each other and to learn from each other.
   • You can give a presentation there on a topic you have studied, but usually you just listen to the presentations of others and talk about it with your colleagues.
   • Some conferences are local or regional, but sometimes you are allowed to attend international conferences.
   • Believe me, conferences are more fun than meets the eye. In fact, the most important part of a conference is usually just a bunch of scholars getting drunk together.
5. Keep up to date with the latest research in your field and attend business conferences as well. You should read publications about your field every day - which shouldn't be too difficult if you're really passionate about the topic. (If not, you may want to reconsider whether it was a good idea to become a professor in that field.)
   • If you want to become a good professor, you must continuously expand your specialized knowledge in your field. Things can change from what's in the textbooks, and you want to be able to share that new information with your students. It is better not to lag behind your students and your colleagues.
   • Networking with the experts in your field will also make your own research more solid.
   • As George Bernard Shaw said, "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we trade these apples, you and I still have one apple each." But if you and I each have an idea, and we exchange those ideas, then each of us has two ideas. "Don't be afraid that others will run off with your ideas if you share them with them. If people hear your ideas, it may provoke criticism and counter-arguments in them, which will only make your own theories and arguments stronger.
6. Spread the knowledge you have.
   • Write articles, essays, books and / or lecture in your own area of ​​knowledge as other great authors and scientists did. Some examples:
     • Richard Dawkins (biologist and ethologist)
     • Sam Harris (neuroscientist and philosopher)
     • Bill Nye (mechanical engineer)
     • Michio Kaku, Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, Lawrence Krauss (theoretical physicists and cosmologists)
     • Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Hubert Reeves (astrophysicists)
     • Christopher Hitchens (religious, literary and social critic)
     • Elon Musk (entrepreneur and engineer, director of Space X) etc.
   • Help people enrich their minds by spreading objective truth.
7. Continue your research.
   • If you work in academia, you usually have to continue to do research in your field and write papers and books regularly.
   • Sometimes you will be allowed to take a sabbatical or a one-year paid break to work on your research.
   • You write journal articles, conference papers, essays and books that are published in the hope that your original research will be important enough to raise awareness for the university you work for, thus attracting more students and scholarships.

Tips

• Libraries often employ someone who specializes in a particular subject. That person can help you study better and refer you to the best books for what you want to learn.
• Follow courses in secondary areas while completing your bachelor's degree.
• Attend conferences on topics that you study so that you can continuously expand your knowledge.
• Make sure you enjoy teaching and interact with your students in a personal and pleasant way.
• Remember that teaching is very rewarding and can be very rewarding. Teaching in a university environment means that your students want to be where they are, whereas normally in primary and secondary schools the students are there mainly because they have to, not because they want to.
• Stay humble. Do not give in to a perhaps lurking "professor ego". Just because you spend your days with students who by definition have much to learn does not mean that you are omniscient or deserving of a very lofty place in the universe.
• If you are doing a two-year college education, attending youth colleges, or going to free university, always make sure that you can progress to a four-year college or university through your learning path. Some two-year programs are not intended for transfer to higher education, but rather to prepare the student for the labor market (vocational training).
• Be willing to work as an assistant or adjunct professor to get a foot in the door. Most universities require experience before hiring you.
• Try to study by computer instead of with books, and if you get tired while studying, use some background music from time to time.

Warnings

• Being a scientist takes a lot of patience. The chance of failure is the same as the chance of success, so you have to be willing to accept the results as they come.
• It can be difficult to combine a satisfying family life with extensive research. Moving regularly to other places to fill job openings can take a toll on your family.
• Don't just base your decision about where to teach on the prestige of a university. Some smaller universities may be of very high standard in certain areas, and some may have excellent faculties and resources to work with.
• Be wary of online courses that charge money. First check whether they are officially recognized and whether they are well known.
• Due to the increased number of PhD candidates for professor positions and commercial positions, scientists and aspiring academics may have to take on a number of postgraduate positions before they can be considered for tenure.
• The salary isn't always great, and the work can be isolating. If you are looking for a permanent position, the first 6 years may be intensive and not easy for you.

Necessities

• Study books
• Study schedule
• Discipline