I have four books, ranging from 200-400 pages each, to read by Friday. Plus two papers to write. Which means more books to read in order to write them, goddammitohell
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*snuggles much tighter and simply refuses to let you go* Awww, bb. I heart you! I wish we knew each other better, and I know it's hard, but just know that whenever I see your name or whatnot, my heart goes into goo. lol I think you're an amazing person. And you're fabu! And beautiful. And wonderful, and HOLY COW I LOVE YOUR STORY. I just wish I was able to finish it before NaNo. *drools* WHAT DOES HARRY DO??? /sappy and slightly tipsy off bear
Someone once described the first year of grad school at a rigorous program as the "academic boot camp year from hell." I always thought that was a great description.
Most of grad school is grounded in that sort of Neitzschean philosophy. It will make you stronger.
You'll get through it, sweetie. And remember: you asked for it. :D
Oh, God, this semester is kicking my butt. Although I've been told by second-years that the first year is the worst, and then you just get into the groove of reading and paper-writing. But God, geting used to the reading... /0\ I mean for one class alone tomorrow I'm supposed to have two books read. Um...I've got one done? :D
The kittens, though, are keeping me sane. \0/
I've been thinking of you, BTW, dear. Many prayers going your way. *hugs you*
Remember, nobody expects you to read the secondary sources word-for-word and beginning-to-end. Has anyone given you the lecture on how to read a book in an hour, in forty minutes, in twenty minutes? You need that lecture. If you can't get a prof to tell you, and Noe doesn't have it by heart, call me and I'll do it. Skimming isn't cheating, it's survival. (Apologies if you know this already.)
That said, yes, the first term of graduate school is kind of apocalyptic. You will, however, survive. And eventually thrive. And then triumph!
Also, you are entirely correct, that is the cutest cat picture ever.
Oh, God, yeah...I've learned the skimming technique--or am in the process of learning it, although sometimes, especially with the mystics I'm reading, that doesn't work so well. (If you skim some of them too quickly you get even more lost than you were when you started. /0\) I'm strategically reading those, however...trying to pick out what I think my prof is going to focus on the most. I've skimmed some of her academic writings, so I know a bit what interests her.
But I will be soooo glad when next semester comes around. This one has been...weird to say the least.
Oh, yeah, you can't skim when it's the source text rather than a commentary. Then you're just stuck with reading the damn thing (though it sounds like you have some good strategies already for that.)
You have had, no question, the weirdest first semester of any graduate student I've ever heard of. Well, I had one student whose wife had a baby on orientation day - he had kind of a similar first term to yours. But yeah, your first term of grad school has been unusually high-stress, to put it mildly.
I'm doing shockingly well. I must have been sicker than I realized for the past few months, because - a week after surgery - I am already feeling stronger and more energetic than I was a week before the surgery, and in much less physical pain too. And wow! my brain is so happy when I don't have to take narcotics, I can't even describe it. SO GOOD to be unfogged in the head! It still hurts when I sneeze, but otherwise, all well.
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:D :D
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I think you're an amazing person. And you're fabu! And beautiful. And wonderful, and HOLY COW I LOVE YOUR STORY. I just wish I was able to finish it before NaNo. *drools* WHAT DOES HARRY DO???
/sappy and slightly tipsy off bear
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*ADORES YOU, LITTLE BEAR*
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Most of grad school is grounded in that sort of Neitzschean philosophy. It will make you stronger.
You'll get through it, sweetie. And remember: you asked for it. :D
*has little compassion, but is glad for kittens*
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The kittens, though, are keeping me sane. \0/
I've been thinking of you, BTW, dear. Many prayers going your way. *hugs you*
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That said, yes, the first term of graduate school is kind of apocalyptic. You will, however, survive. And eventually thrive. And then triumph!
Also, you are entirely correct, that is the cutest cat picture ever.
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But I will be soooo glad when next semester comes around. This one has been...weird to say the least.
Also, how are you? Are you doing okay? *snugs*
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You have had, no question, the weirdest first semester of any graduate student I've ever heard of. Well, I had one student whose wife had a baby on orientation day - he had kind of a similar first term to yours. But yeah, your first term of grad school has been unusually high-stress, to put it mildly.
I'm doing shockingly well. I must have been sicker than I realized for the past few months, because - a week after surgery - I am already feeling stronger and more energetic than I was a week before the surgery, and in much less physical pain too. And wow! my brain is so happy when I don't have to take narcotics, I can't even describe it. SO GOOD to be unfogged in the head! It still hurts when I sneeze, but otherwise, all well.
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