(no subject)
i think my current state could best be described as one of mental disarray. while im glad that i finally came to the decision to attend grad school, that particular choice is attended by a million other choices that i now have to start thinking about.
1. MA or PhD? though chad (who seems to have all the answers)believes that going for the doctorates is the best (and indeed only) decision, im still a bit unsure. granted, the phd certainly wouldnt hurt my chances at getting into the field of publishing and would leave open to me the option of acedamia. but if im not absolutely certain that id like to become a professor, do i really want to commit myself to four or more years of schooling. more importantly, am i physically and mentally capable of pursuing a doctoral degree? though talking to jeff has assuaged some of my fears regarding grad school and the writing of the dissertation, the question remains: what happens when all the schooling is done and i actually have to find a job? the instruction aspect of it excites me, but the 'publish or perish' bit is terrifying. how can i possibly find something to say about a particular text that someone infinately more intelligent than i am has not already said? of course, this particular dilemma doesnt have to be dealt with until i am accepted (or not) to some sort of graduate program.
2. Apartment issues. i currently live in a furnished student apartment. i was planning to move next august to an actual apartment (thus neccesitating the purchase of furniture.) but whats the point of buying a bunch of furniture only to turn around and sell it in a year? this leads to another problem. if i graduate at the end of next year (possibly next summer) do i stay in austin for a year until grad school or do i move to chicago immediately. i know that i want to take a year off to travel or intern or something, but if i spend that year austin-based, ill be moving to chicago no more that a week or two before i have to begin school again. however, if i move at the end of next summer, ill be moving without the certainty of being accepted to any of the graduate programs to which im applying. plus thats really soon and rather frightening to think about.
3. Class issues. how should i structure my schedule in order to increase my chances of being accepted to nu (or any other program for that matter)? taking gvt at acc this semester would put me at 21 hours which is a little scary, but probably doable. this summer should i start on latin or just finish up my french requirements? next year do i take more french to become truly profficient or more latin to obtain intermediate profficiency? should i stay on next summer or graduate in may like id planned? or should i just drop out now, move to france, and smoke cigarettes until i die of lung cancer?
somehow i thought writing down all the questions that have my brain running in circles would help make it all more clear. so much for that idea. but if anyone made it through all my ramblings and has any sort of advice to offer, whether its because youre going through it all too or you know someone who has or youre just much more perspicacious than i have the ability to be, your thoughts would be gladly appreciated.
1. MA or PhD? though chad (who seems to have all the answers)believes that going for the doctorates is the best (and indeed only) decision, im still a bit unsure. granted, the phd certainly wouldnt hurt my chances at getting into the field of publishing and would leave open to me the option of acedamia. but if im not absolutely certain that id like to become a professor, do i really want to commit myself to four or more years of schooling. more importantly, am i physically and mentally capable of pursuing a doctoral degree? though talking to jeff has assuaged some of my fears regarding grad school and the writing of the dissertation, the question remains: what happens when all the schooling is done and i actually have to find a job? the instruction aspect of it excites me, but the 'publish or perish' bit is terrifying. how can i possibly find something to say about a particular text that someone infinately more intelligent than i am has not already said? of course, this particular dilemma doesnt have to be dealt with until i am accepted (or not) to some sort of graduate program.
2. Apartment issues. i currently live in a furnished student apartment. i was planning to move next august to an actual apartment (thus neccesitating the purchase of furniture.) but whats the point of buying a bunch of furniture only to turn around and sell it in a year? this leads to another problem. if i graduate at the end of next year (possibly next summer) do i stay in austin for a year until grad school or do i move to chicago immediately. i know that i want to take a year off to travel or intern or something, but if i spend that year austin-based, ill be moving to chicago no more that a week or two before i have to begin school again. however, if i move at the end of next summer, ill be moving without the certainty of being accepted to any of the graduate programs to which im applying. plus thats really soon and rather frightening to think about.
3. Class issues. how should i structure my schedule in order to increase my chances of being accepted to nu (or any other program for that matter)? taking gvt at acc this semester would put me at 21 hours which is a little scary, but probably doable. this summer should i start on latin or just finish up my french requirements? next year do i take more french to become truly profficient or more latin to obtain intermediate profficiency? should i stay on next summer or graduate in may like id planned? or should i just drop out now, move to france, and smoke cigarettes until i die of lung cancer?
somehow i thought writing down all the questions that have my brain running in circles would help make it all more clear. so much for that idea. but if anyone made it through all my ramblings and has any sort of advice to offer, whether its because youre going through it all too or you know someone who has or youre just much more perspicacious than i have the ability to be, your thoughts would be gladly appreciated.