---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wanted to be an astronomer until I…"
description: "\"I wanted to be an astronomer until I discovered I'm terrible at math.\" — Juliana Harkavy"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg"
---

#  I wanted to be an astronomer until I discovered I'm…

![“I wanted to be an astronomer until I discovered I'm terrible at math.” quote by Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg)

> “I wanted to be an astronomer until I discovered I'm terrible at math.”

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A dream of astronomy was abandoned upon realizing a personal weakness in mathematics.

**In simple terms:** Dream changed due to math difficulty.

Key Takeaway

Adapt goals to strengths.

Themes

dreams self-awareness career choice

Mood

curious hopeful

Type

reflective inspirational

When to use this quote

- education
- career planning
- personal development

Key Concepts

math anxiety career pivot

Questions to Reflect On

- What new path aligns with your strengths?
- How can you integrate math into your passion?

A Different Perspective

Changing dreams can feel like loss.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Astronomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomer/) [Math](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/math/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/)

## Related quotes

> [When I was little, I wanted to be an astronomer, but that didn't happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-huateng/when-i-was-little-i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-but-that-didn-t-happen/)

[Ma Huateng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-huateng/)

> [By the time I finished high school, I knew I wanted to become an astronomer. By the time I finished college, I knew I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-porco/by-the-time-i-finished-high-school-i-knew-i-wanted-to-become-an/)

[Carolyn Porco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-porco/)

> [Just before I said I wanted to be an astronomer I said I wanted to be a baseball player. I was quite athletic at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/just-before-i-said-i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-i-said-i-wanted-to-be/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [Any astronomer can predict with absolute accuracy just where every star in the universe will be at 11.30 tonight. He can make no such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/any-astronomer-can-predict-with-absolute-accuracy-just-where-every/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When people on airplanes ask me what I do, I used to say I was a physicist, which ended the discussion. I once said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/when-people-on-airplanes-ask-me-what-i-do-i-used-to-say-i-was-a/)

[Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/)

> [My parents gave me a small telescope, then I built my own, and one thing led to another. So that's how I ended up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitar-sasselov/my-parents-gave-me-a-small-telescope-then-i-built-my-own-and-one/)

[Dimitar Sasselov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitar-sasselov/)

> [“Sleep disorders are a known occupational hazard to astronomers and their support staff.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/sleep-disorders-are-a-known-occupational-hazard-to-astronomers-and/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [“Deandre gazed at her like she was the stars, and he was a mere astronomer, searching her face for the constellations, admiring the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishabella-sheikh/deandre-gazed-at-her-like-she-was-the-stars-and-he-was-a-mere/)

Aishabella Sheikh

> [Just because a man glances up at the sky at night does not make him an astronomer, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyne/just-because-a-man-glances-up-at-the-sky-at-night-does-not-make-him/)

[John Boyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyne/)

> [Why would you listen to an astronomer about a planet?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-stern/why-would-you-listen-to-an-astronomer-about-a-planet/)

[Alan Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-stern/)

> [I'm an amateur astronomer, and I practice that hobby a lot. And I'm fascinated by hard science. Hard science is something for me that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-russ/i-m-an-amateur-astronomer-and-i-practice-that-hobby-a-lot-and-i-m/)

[Tim Russ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-russ/)

> [“The astonished astronomer who made the discovery was left with one all-important question: is it more appropriate to e-mail, call, or text your boss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/the-astonished-astronomer-who-made-the-discovery-was-left-with-one/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [If I didn't choose art, I would have become an astronomer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-max/if-i-didn-t-choose-art-i-would-have-become-an-astronomer/)

[Peter Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-max/)

> [I was a kind of a one-man army. I could solder circuits together, I could turn out things on the lathe, I could work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-allen/i-was-a-kind-of-a-one-man-army-i-could-solder-circuits-together-i/)

[James Van Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-allen/)

> [“The toxicity of medical and industrial gas to the human depends on where it is used. A gas that is regarded as safe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-toxicity-of-medical-and-industrial-gas-to-the-human-depends-on/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

## More by Juliana Harkavy

> [I've been a fan of comics, but I've never been, like, a diehard: like, I've never really owned a bunch of comics or anything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-ve-been-a-fan-of-comics-but-i-ve-never-been-like-a-diehard-like-i/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [You can't be upset for someone's loyalty to a character. As an actor, that's a gift to see fans care that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/you-can-t-be-upset-for-someone-s-loyalty-to-a-character-as-an-actor/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [The cool thing about superheroes is that they all have these very human roots, and that brings them all together and makes them all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/the-cool-thing-about-superheroes-is-that-they-all-have-these-very/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [I think the physicality of being an athlete or working out, it grounds you. It centers you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-think-the-physicality-of-being-an-athlete-or-working-out-it-grounds/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [I want to be able to do more of my own stunts and really be proficient with my weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-want-to-be-able-to-do-more-of-my-own-stunts-and-really-be/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [I make damn good biscuits and gravy. The key is maple sausage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-make-damn-good-biscuits-and-gravy-the-key-is-maple-sausage/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [I joke, but I'm sort of serious: I've always wanted to get into a fight. I know that sounds horrible, but I always had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-joke-but-i-m-sort-of-serious-i-ve-always-wanted-to-get-into-a-fight/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [I have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was a teenager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-have-struggled-with-anxiety-and-depression-since-i-was-a-teenager/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [I was always an athlete; my grandfather and my dad are basketball players, and I played sports my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-was-always-an-athlete-my-grandfather-and-my-dad-are-basketball/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [A couple months before I got the audition for 'Arrow,' my husband and I had just sold everything we owned, packed our dogs and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/a-couple-months-before-i-got-the-audition-for-arrow-my-husband-and-i/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [It's tough to run fast and jump off roofs when your feet are freezing off!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/it-s-tough-to-run-fast-and-jump-off-roofs-when-your-feet-are-freezing/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [When I auditioned for The Black Canary, I only knew I was reading for a new recruit on team 'Arrow.' It wasn't until I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/when-i-auditioned-for-the-black-canary-i-only-knew-i-was-reading-for/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [Any time there's a wedge or a secret put between two people in a group, it's an obstacle - but there's also a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/any-time-there-s-a-wedge-or-a-secret-put-between-two-people-in-a/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [It sounds weird... the #MeToo movement is positive because obviously it's based on a lot of pain and horrible things that happen to women.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/it-sounds-weird-the-metoo-movement-is-positive-because-obviously-it-s/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

> [One of the things that has been the most beneficial for me in real life is that I've been able to really become stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/one-of-the-things-that-has-been-the-most-beneficial-for-me-in-real/)

[Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

[Explore all 27 Juliana Harkavy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/)

## More Astronomer quotes

> [“The toxicity of medical and industrial gas to the human depends on where it is used. A gas that is regarded as safe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-toxicity-of-medical-and-industrial-gas-to-the-human-depends-on/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [I was a kind of a one-man army. I could solder circuits together, I could turn out things on the lathe, I could work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-allen/i-was-a-kind-of-a-one-man-army-i-could-solder-circuits-together-i/)

[James Van Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-allen/)

> [If I didn't choose art, I would have become an astronomer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-max/if-i-didn-t-choose-art-i-would-have-become-an-astronomer/)

[Peter Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-max/)

> [“The astonished astronomer who made the discovery was left with one all-important question: is it more appropriate to e-mail, call, or text your boss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/the-astonished-astronomer-who-made-the-discovery-was-left-with-one/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [I'm an amateur astronomer, and I practice that hobby a lot. And I'm fascinated by hard science. Hard science is something for me that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-russ/i-m-an-amateur-astronomer-and-i-practice-that-hobby-a-lot-and-i-m/)

[Tim Russ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-russ/)

> [Why would you listen to an astronomer about a planet?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-stern/why-would-you-listen-to-an-astronomer-about-a-planet/)

[Alan Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-stern/)

> [Just because a man glances up at the sky at night does not make him an astronomer, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyne/just-because-a-man-glances-up-at-the-sky-at-night-does-not-make-him/)

[John Boyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyne/)

> [“Deandre gazed at her like she was the stars, and he was a mere astronomer, searching her face for the constellations, admiring the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishabella-sheikh/deandre-gazed-at-her-like-she-was-the-stars-and-he-was-a-mere/)

Aishabella Sheikh

> [“Sleep disorders are a known occupational hazard to astronomers and their support staff.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/sleep-disorders-are-a-known-occupational-hazard-to-astronomers-and/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [My parents gave me a small telescope, then I built my own, and one thing led to another. So that's how I ended up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitar-sasselov/my-parents-gave-me-a-small-telescope-then-i-built-my-own-and-one/)

[Dimitar Sasselov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitar-sasselov/)

> [When people on airplanes ask me what I do, I used to say I was a physicist, which ended the discussion. I once said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/when-people-on-airplanes-ask-me-what-i-do-i-used-to-say-i-was-a/)

[Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/)

> [Any astronomer can predict with absolute accuracy just where every star in the universe will be at 11.30 tonight. He can make no such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/any-astronomer-can-predict-with-absolute-accuracy-just-where-every/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“An Astronomer is to tell where the planets are. Then an Astrologer is to interpret what the location of those planets mean for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitta-xinindlu/an-astronomer-is-to-tell-where-the-planets-are-then-an-astrologer-is/)

[Mitta Xinindlu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitta-xinindlu/)

> [“Industrial liquid gas containers were left open and venting gas into the indoor environment in high altitude astronomy. On reflection, I realized that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/industrial-liquid-gas-containers-were-left-open-and-venting-gas-into/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [“Very high altitude astronomy only works by ignoring established biological science”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/very-high-altitude-astronomy-only-works-by-ignoring-established/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

[Browse all 83 Astronomer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomer/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I wanted to be an astronomer until I discovered I'm terrible at math.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Juliana Harkavy"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-discovered-i-m-terrible-at-math/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Astronomer"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-discovered-i-m-terrible-at-math/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/juliana-harkavy-22715_math_i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-dis_1037034.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I wanted to be an astronomer until I discovered I'm terrible at math.” — Juliana Harkavy",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Juliana Harkavy",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I wanted to be an astronomer...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-discovered-i-m-terrible-at-math/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-wanted-to-be-an-astronomer-until-i-discovered-i-m-terrible-at-math/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
