Student discounts are offered to all students, not only to 3D art students.  He could be a law student and still be entitled to the discount.

Hehehe! I was originally a language teacher, you know. I picked up HTML and a bit of programming, as well as the basics of graphic art just for fun. Now it's my full time job since the last 8 years. 
The student version of 3DS Max 6 is $150.  Not bad at all, even if it's just for a hobby.

Speculating on what he is or isn’t studying for or what his reasons were for purchasing the program is beyond the point. The guy is simply asking for help.
I never went to school for music or sound engineer, yet I have spent thousands of dollars on DJ and recording equipment because its one of my hobbies.
Flashmxice, 3D Max can be pretty hard to work with and somewhat confusing for a beginner, but as everything else in life, once you get the hang of it, it becomes easy.
Here are some good tutorials to get you started -> http://www.amazing3d.com/services/tutmax.html
You can find more tutorial by doing a goggle search.