It's the small differences...
...that make graduate school such a dramatic change. I clearly remember my undergrad and the friendships I had there. I knew people in class, saw the same people in a number of classes, but didn't have the same kind of bond with them that I do with the people in my classes now. In undergrad, everything seems far less serious. The stress level overall is much lower and few people have breakdowns over the workload. As a result, since it is less of a trial, you don't think about school THAT much.
Grad school, however, is totally different. The people in charge of you intentionally inflict pain and suffering upon you in an effort to drive away those who can't take the heat. Your experience is an incredibly stressful and torturous one, and as a result you spend far more time at school working and seeing the people in your classes.
So, it now feels like I have a new extended family, and one that I see FAR more than my real family. It's a good group. There are some amazing people, some douche-bags, and some that fall in between (as you'd expect). Overall, without these people I don't think I'd be happy with this experience. These people make it worth it.
This morning we had our third test in our methods class and it was harder than I expected. Some of us did well (and had the audacity to celebrate their success in front of everyone, which seems like a no-no to me) and some of us did not. Tears were shed and oaths of revenge were sworn, but ultimately life will continue, though with a decidedly deflated sense of self-worth.
Grad school, however, is totally different. The people in charge of you intentionally inflict pain and suffering upon you in an effort to drive away those who can't take the heat. Your experience is an incredibly stressful and torturous one, and as a result you spend far more time at school working and seeing the people in your classes.
So, it now feels like I have a new extended family, and one that I see FAR more than my real family. It's a good group. There are some amazing people, some douche-bags, and some that fall in between (as you'd expect). Overall, without these people I don't think I'd be happy with this experience. These people make it worth it.
This morning we had our third test in our methods class and it was harder than I expected. Some of us did well (and had the audacity to celebrate their success in front of everyone, which seems like a no-no to me) and some of us did not. Tears were shed and oaths of revenge were sworn, but ultimately life will continue, though with a decidedly deflated sense of self-worth.