How am I doing?
People keep asking me how I'm doing. I feel boring because "I'm doing well" is the best response I've got. It's the sum total. Here's the breakdown:
+ This is definitely the right place for me (good profs, good mentors, good colleagues, good research opportunities, and what I want to be doing)
+ I am learning a lot in my classes
- it's impossible to keep up with EVERYTHING for classes, and weekly reading is the first thing to go
+ I am figuring out what I really want to be doing, in other words, what I want to write my thesis on
- putting what I want to be doing into very clear words is hard, and I am struggling to do it
+ Writing these grant proposals is very good for me, and getting one would be fantastic professionally and financially
- I have no other form of funding from the school, including RA or TAships
+ Guille and I are doing well (not much has changed since we've always done our own things), and he is doing great with his job search
- he hasn't got a job yet
+ I am confident that with the support I've got from friends and family, I can eventually have kids rather than waiting until I'm writing my dissertation.
- it's still going to be a while because Guille needs to be able to support us
In other words, I'm doing it. I'm in the process and happy about it. I'm not overwhelmed, but I am stretched to my limits.
So ... how are YOU?
+ This is definitely the right place for me (good profs, good mentors, good colleagues, good research opportunities, and what I want to be doing)
+ I am learning a lot in my classes
- it's impossible to keep up with EVERYTHING for classes, and weekly reading is the first thing to go
+ I am figuring out what I really want to be doing, in other words, what I want to write my thesis on
- putting what I want to be doing into very clear words is hard, and I am struggling to do it
+ Writing these grant proposals is very good for me, and getting one would be fantastic professionally and financially
- I have no other form of funding from the school, including RA or TAships
+ Guille and I are doing well (not much has changed since we've always done our own things), and he is doing great with his job search
- he hasn't got a job yet
+ I am confident that with the support I've got from friends and family, I can eventually have kids rather than waiting until I'm writing my dissertation.
- it's still going to be a while because Guille needs to be able to support us
In other words, I'm doing it. I'm in the process and happy about it. I'm not overwhelmed, but I am stretched to my limits.
So ... how are YOU?