Help?

[tomorrowdreams]

I moved to the other side of Canada for my Master's of Library Science degree. I have made new friends, but miss the security of my best buds. I live alone, when for the past 4 years I've lived in full houses with lovely roomies

Comments

[ppplmgwiw]

Can you move into a shared house so you no longer feel isolated?

What is it about your classes that you don't like? Are you uninspired because you have misgivings about the way/what you are being taught, or are you suffering from depression? It sounds a lot like the latter, although I would not actually suggest any diagnosis based solely on a brief LJ post. But it might be worth a visit to student health to get screened.

Grad school made me miserable in a lot of ways, but I was inspired by the work and therefore kept going (and made it through 2 grad degrees--woot!). Is there something you can find in it that can remind you of why you started in the first place? Do you have an advisor you can talk to?

[tomorrowdreams]

I think my "depression" is a direct result of the stress and uninteresting nature of my schooling.

My undergraduate degree was in English Literature; I've gone from discussing Shakespeare to search engines. It's just not what interests me.

(Wow, 2 grad degrees! Way to go!)

I do have lists (and home-made posters lol) that remind me why I'm doing this... but it doesn't help me escape the tedium of the here-and-now. These classes just don't speak to me. Consequently, I'm not pouring my heart into them and I'm not trying as hard as I'm used to... and then I'm not doing too well in them. Yay cycle of stress!

Talking to someone is a good idea. I may give it a shot.

[ppplmgwiw]

Do you want to finish the program? It's okay if you don't. Lots of people leave one grad program for another or leave grad school altogether and go on to have very happy, fulfilling and successful lives. You don't have to finish if it's not interesting to you. The only reason I finished my PhD was because I loved the work I was doing; if I hadn't, I definitely would have quit, especially looking at the craptastic job market. (And, FWIW, I looked at your userinfo and I believe I did my BA and MA at the same university you're at now; there is something soul-sucking about that school at the best of times.)

[tomorrowdreams]

I do. I will do whatever it takes to finish this degree (ha! short of lots of studying?!) I have no back-up plan, and would have to contend with even MORE negative emotions if I was school-less, job-less, and money-less. So, definitely staying. Looking forward to the fresh start of next term. This term has just been very intense with a big move and easing in to a new program etc.

I really want to be a librarian. It's just hard for me to be motivated when it comes to stuff I find wholly uninteresting. Perhaps I should've considered a library technician diploma. Meh.

(P.S. I'm not at either of those schools... I'm in Eastern Canada though.)

Thanks for your kind words. This isn't exactly the sort of stuff I love discussing with people.

[tomorrowdreams]

Oh, and moving right now is not really an viable option but I do have plans to live with friends next year :)

I jut have to survive the here and now.

Yes, first term of first graduate program.

[tomorrowdreams]

Yep. That's pretty much where I'm at.

Thanks for take a moment to leave that message... it seems that bitching about my program and getting comforted is one of the main things that's keeping me sane these days...

much appreciated!

[lissiehoya]

Yes, this. When I started my PhD had had severe anxiety and depression. Working with a therapist at school helped me work through these things.

[bree_black]

(P.S. I'm not at either of those schools... I'm in Eastern Canada though.)

Darn, 'cause I'm at one of them, in the same faculty, and I was going to say we could be friends! We could be friends anyway?

I had a similar problem in my first semester. I had moved across the country for my MA and was basically alone. My little cohort sort of banded together, because we were going through the same problems. I coped by marathoning TV, too, though that's not a terribly helpful suggestion.

Skype helped, with keeping in touch with my friends.

[tomorrowdreams]

Let's be friends anyway! Are you at ubc or uwo? I was at ubc for my undergrad, so I'm hoping it's that school so I can know where you are or whatever.

You can reach me at jennynoise@hotmail.com if you like. :)

[bree_black]

E-mailed you. :)

[tomorrowdreams]

:)

[tomorrowdreams]

Oh, and I watch way, way way too much tv. I try to intersperse it with studying. :)

[ppplmgwiw]

May I also add, then, that moving from the West coast to anywhere else can be really tough. When I left for grad school in the SE US, I had a *horrible* time trying to get used to my new surroundings--and that was even though I brought my husband, daughter, and stuff with me, and even though I was thrilled to finally go to a different school! I don't know where you're from originally, but I've heard a lot of other West coasters say the same thing about moving out East.

[joyousandjuicy]

I'm going through West Coast separation anxiety myself right now.. It's special kind of wretched :(

[tomorrowdreams]

Agreed. I'm sure we'll survive... but yeah, a big move anywhere can be tough. I feel like I'm rebuilding my life a bit.