The stress
Ok so I realize I haven't updated in a while. So I guess I've decided (along with Professor Rosen's "encouragement") not to reapply to Princeton or Harvard. He basically said that he had felt really bad that I was starting my graduate work "on a low" instead of "with enthusiasm." He's a nice man and he means well, and you know....while I'm very sad at having been snubbed by the "more prestigious" schools, the truth is that Rosen has yet to give me bad advice so I'm gonna run with it one more time and see where it takes me. Aside from my first postdoc position, where I get my PhD won't mean shit in the academic world (if I do strong research, I'll have a good tenured position somewhere great......and to be perfectly honest, I'm kinda interested in making that eventual destination Brown, because I really like the department there).
Anyways, so because I'm a lameass, I'll be from time to time giving random PhD updates, mostly for me but in case anyone else is curious.
So, for the PhD:
-Qualifying Exams
-Basic Exam
-Area Exam #1: Algebra
-Area Exam #2: Geometry/Topology
-Language Requirement: French
-Classes (*=PhD course)
Fall:
Math 210A: Algebra
Math 225A: Differentiable Manifolds*
Math 245A: Real Analysis (Bamboo knows how much I *love* this one) :(
Winter:
Math 210B: Algebra
Math 225B: Intro to Topology*
Math 245B: Real Analysis
Math 214A: Algebraic Geometry*
Spring:
Math 210C: Algebra*
Math 246A: Complex Analysis
Math 205A: Number Theory*
Math 214B: Algebraic Geometry*
(So that gives me six of the 12 classes I need for the PhD, and all 11 classes I need for the Masters; if I get a B or higher in all these classes and pass the Basic Exam, I'll have a Master's by the end of this year....hah, commencement two years in a row!! :))
-Seminars: Undecided, but probably will deal with Number Theory
-Dissertation (this one won't be filled in for a few years)
So there you have it. That's my life structure for these next few years (mostly this year, as I have no clue what classes I'll be taking next year).
Now for some bitching:
I'm set to take my qualifying exams next week. The Basic is Monday, the Algebra is Tuesday, and the Geometry/Topology is Wednesday. I'm finding out more and more that I'm not ready for these exams. I mean I'm ready for the Basic, but I've spent all afternoon on ONE group theory question for the Algebra Exam (we're expected to do two group theory questions, along with 2 ring questions, 2 field questions, and 2 linear algebra questions, all in 4 hours), and things are even more pathetic for the Geometry/Topology exam. I hate failing things, but I have a feeling that I won't be passing these two area exams, at least not this time around (maybe in the Spring I will). I know I can take them again, but I still want to do my best and have a shot at passing THIS time. It's getting really stressful.
Speaking of which, time to get back to it....
Anyways, so because I'm a lameass, I'll be from time to time giving random PhD updates, mostly for me but in case anyone else is curious.
So, for the PhD:
-Qualifying Exams
-Basic Exam
-Area Exam #1: Algebra
-Area Exam #2: Geometry/Topology
-Language Requirement: French
-Classes (*=PhD course)
Fall:
Math 210A: Algebra
Math 225A: Differentiable Manifolds*
Math 245A: Real Analysis (Bamboo knows how much I *love* this one) :(
Winter:
Math 210B: Algebra
Math 225B: Intro to Topology*
Math 245B: Real Analysis
Math 214A: Algebraic Geometry*
Spring:
Math 210C: Algebra*
Math 246A: Complex Analysis
Math 205A: Number Theory*
Math 214B: Algebraic Geometry*
(So that gives me six of the 12 classes I need for the PhD, and all 11 classes I need for the Masters; if I get a B or higher in all these classes and pass the Basic Exam, I'll have a Master's by the end of this year....hah, commencement two years in a row!! :))
-Seminars: Undecided, but probably will deal with Number Theory
-Dissertation (this one won't be filled in for a few years)
So there you have it. That's my life structure for these next few years (mostly this year, as I have no clue what classes I'll be taking next year).
Now for some bitching:
I'm set to take my qualifying exams next week. The Basic is Monday, the Algebra is Tuesday, and the Geometry/Topology is Wednesday. I'm finding out more and more that I'm not ready for these exams. I mean I'm ready for the Basic, but I've spent all afternoon on ONE group theory question for the Algebra Exam (we're expected to do two group theory questions, along with 2 ring questions, 2 field questions, and 2 linear algebra questions, all in 4 hours), and things are even more pathetic for the Geometry/Topology exam. I hate failing things, but I have a feeling that I won't be passing these two area exams, at least not this time around (maybe in the Spring I will). I know I can take them again, but I still want to do my best and have a shot at passing THIS time. It's getting really stressful.
Speaking of which, time to get back to it....