SpaceTiger
02-07-2004, 04:07 AM
Yeah, I'm bored, so I figured I'd make a Diaries post. So, what's going on with me, none of you are wondering. Well, I'll tell you. For those unfamiliar with the basic grad school process, I have to take an exam after two years that basically determines whether I can continue on to get a Ph.D. That exam is coming up in about three months, so things are getting a bit stressful. Not only do I have to pass the exam (which is very difficult and has to be given verbally in front of a panel of professors), but I have to have a published paper by then.
Now, as for the first part, I figure I'll do alright if I study hard enough, but that's been hard lately. I've been very sluggish, depressed, and lonely (yes, I know it's by my own choice, I'm not looking for sympathy), so motivation hasn't been coming very easily. I figure I'll probably get through fine in the end, but the process has been very painful.
As for the second part, I published tons of papers as an undergrad, but the rule only applies to my time here. I have one nearly done, but it keeps hitting snags. The professor I'm working with is very optimistic and very driven, so he'll probably make sure everything works out if something goes wrong, but it's still very stressful.
Anyway, if all goes well, I should pass the exam by the end of April or beginning of May and at that point I expect my mood will improve a bit. I hope so. Even if I do pass, I'm not really sure where I'm gonna go with it. For the past five years, I've been having trouble formulating any long-term goals for myself. Sometimes I feel like I want to reach out into the world and find something new and exciting, other times I just want to stay in academics where I'm comfortable. I dunno, I guess I should think about it after the exam.
Oh well, enough of my bitching. Best of luck to all you ZMDers and thanks for being such an awesome bunch of people. I'm not going anywhere, but I just thought that needed to be said. <img src=smilies/cwm11.gif>
<P ID="signature">http://qonos.princeton.edu/nbond/tiger5.gif</P>
Now, as for the first part, I figure I'll do alright if I study hard enough, but that's been hard lately. I've been very sluggish, depressed, and lonely (yes, I know it's by my own choice, I'm not looking for sympathy), so motivation hasn't been coming very easily. I figure I'll probably get through fine in the end, but the process has been very painful.
As for the second part, I published tons of papers as an undergrad, but the rule only applies to my time here. I have one nearly done, but it keeps hitting snags. The professor I'm working with is very optimistic and very driven, so he'll probably make sure everything works out if something goes wrong, but it's still very stressful.
Anyway, if all goes well, I should pass the exam by the end of April or beginning of May and at that point I expect my mood will improve a bit. I hope so. Even if I do pass, I'm not really sure where I'm gonna go with it. For the past five years, I've been having trouble formulating any long-term goals for myself. Sometimes I feel like I want to reach out into the world and find something new and exciting, other times I just want to stay in academics where I'm comfortable. I dunno, I guess I should think about it after the exam.
Oh well, enough of my bitching. Best of luck to all you ZMDers and thanks for being such an awesome bunch of people. I'm not going anywhere, but I just thought that needed to be said. <img src=smilies/cwm11.gif>
<P ID="signature">http://qonos.princeton.edu/nbond/tiger5.gif</P>