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Post by Emily on Mar 21, 2013 8:48:20 GMT
One thing our coach loves telling us is that there is no chemical difference between fear and excitement, so you just get to choose which one to be.
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Post by clemon on Mar 21, 2013 14:17:14 GMT
It is a sort of mixture of both. I fear the great unknown that is...what university I'm to attend next. However, I'm also excited, because it means growing older in a more advanced or possible different location. My previous experience with "living on one's own" didn't exactly end well, because I ended up joining a community of very...extreme conservative individuals who had a low opinion of the surrounding world.
And in regards to the chapter of "which school shall I complete my graduate degree", I pretty much have two choices: a Masters at big school I initially that mentioned before in the Hatey Hatey Hate thread, or a jumping straight into a PhD at the smaller school that I currently go to, and wasn't really considering because big school was different, better well-known, better ranked, and was different. A Masters is sort of smaller shorter PHD, and is usually done by students before they apply for PhD, which takes longer and is more advanced. So my dad, who was my main recommender in the "GO TO BIGGER SCHOOL" has now switched gears, and suggests that I get my PhD asap. But it's a bit more complicated, because in the land of academia, it is advised to spread out the degrees to different institutions, so you can do a Bachelors + Masters at one school, and PhD at another, or Bachelors + PhD (after the Masters) at one school and Masters at another; so I would be limited to one institution. Also, the part of the reason of getting a Masters is to help you decide if you like doing Research and talking it up as a profession, so jumping into a PhD would skip that decision; however, it's pretty obvious, even though I try to deny it, that I will most likely complete a PhD at some point to fulfill parental expectations and because I am good at school work, but less good in industry.
Any...hijacking irrelevant threads to talk about personal stressors....it's that kind of forum!
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Post by Tea on Mar 21, 2013 15:24:38 GMT
I don't have any advice for you Clemon but I went straight from reading your comment to a friend's post on facebook saying she's going from a masters in history to a PhD in physiotherapy. Make of that what you will.
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Post by mareofnight on Mar 21, 2013 21:42:15 GMT
Why only those two schools?
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Post by clemon on Mar 21, 2013 22:21:43 GMT
Those are the only two schools that admitted my application to their Master's programs, that I haven't declined yet. (There was a third, but I had to decline it because it had an earlier deadline and all options were fine and other things and so I declined it and felt crappy.) I suppose, I could wait around and apply to different graduate schools come December (when most applications are due...in Canada), but I feel I'd suddenly lose all my academic mindset. Tea: LOL....Is what I make of it. : )
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Post by Soff on Mar 22, 2013 3:55:30 GMT
@night: I totally know that feeling. The whole "I don't know WHERE I'll be" is one of my biggest monsters for the future. Going away is probably something I'll do at some point, but not knowing when or where makes thinking further than two years' time very hard. But you have already figured out when and where you're going, so I think it's something you could be happy about. You have time to get "ready", even if you'll probably have a hard time actually feeling that way. The thing is, you have this time to make yourself feel comfortable with the fact you're doing it. And then, when you're there you'll probably be less confused as the choices you'll make. So try to enjoy the most your life as it is now. You'll probably know what to do when you have to. I think more or less that way, anyway ;P .
@ Clemon, I think I'd go for the Master's one because... you can do the PhD afterwards? I don't really know. I think it'd also be more of a breaking point in your life changing schools and trying to find your way there, despite the Master's being less advanced. And if you'll probably do the PhD anyway, wouldn't it be better to do both if you can? But I don't know, you really have a lot of things to consider and in the end, you know better what is most important for you! Good luck with that!
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Post by Ally on Mar 22, 2013 9:37:29 GMT
clemon - I found that doing my Masters first really helped me prepare for my PhD, because it gave me a smoother transition from taught courses to research work. But I realise it might not work that way for every subject, or every person.
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Post by Margo on Mar 22, 2013 20:57:07 GMT
whoa whoa whoa, don't do a PhD just because our parents want you to. Do it if YOU want to, or don't, your choice. Also seriously, move out ASAP. Home is crowded and (though I like them) we have the worst helicopter parents ever.
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Post by mareofnight on Mar 23, 2013 18:40:18 GMT
Soff: Thanks Though it's not the study abroad that's stressful, so much as not knowing if I'll be trying to go back after I graduate and start a life there or not? Though I guess that does mean I at least have some idea of the wheres in question. (Either there or somewhere in the US, probably.) clemon: You said in the comments that you're studying computer science, right? I've heard that getting a PhD right away can actually make it harder to get a job, at least outside academia, because then you're both over and underqualified for a lot of things (if that makes any sense). Or at least that's what I've heard about IT, I assume it would be similar for CS. You could probably ask one of your professors about it? And also ask about how getting the company you work for to pay for advanced degrees works - I've heard some people recommend it because you go to school for free, others say it's a lot more difficult to be doing school and work at the same time.
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Post by clemon on Mar 24, 2013 0:00:34 GMT
Well, I've just asked to schedule an appointment with my school's Academic Advisor, who is a pretty nice guy, and is known for having student's best interests in mind. Hopefully that should help me figure things out. Although the deadline is until just under a month, looking for housing if I attend the bigger school will be killer unless I start soon, so I've got to decide soon.
Ah. The overqualified and under-experienced dilemma. Yes. Let's avoid that. I'll be sure to bring up this worry to the advisor. The way the graduate program is done...in Mid- to Atlantic- Canada at least...is as you do research to complete your degree, you are also getting payed by your supervisor (assuming a supervisor accepts you), a professor who is given a grant (usually from the government or a large company) to research some topic. So assuming I budget correctly, I could go to school for "free" at either institution because both have a professor willing to support me. I'm also expected to work during some terms as a TA (assignment marker, tutorial teacher), but that's a given for both.
Thanks for the advice everyone! It's very helpful! : )
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Post by Margo on Mar 24, 2013 16:14:55 GMT
Nooo, let's not avoid that; it's mega important! I'm not sure doing research for profs counts as work experience in the eyes of private sector employers...
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Post by X'o'Lore on Mar 25, 2013 5:57:51 GMT
I for one think you should get two PhDs and then insist on everyone calling you Dr. Professor. It's like...twice as distinguished as just some doctor or professor. Think about it...
Or you could not do that because it is even more ridiculous than it is awesome.
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Post by Tea on Mar 25, 2013 9:21:06 GMT
I read about a guy somewhere whose surname was Doom so he got a PhD just so he could make people call him Doctor Doom.
I have no idea if that's true or not but I hope it is.
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Post by clemon on Mar 26, 2013 20:39:07 GMT
Well...It could be true. Names have a tendency of influencing how we live our lives...
I don't know about getting 2 PhDs. Each can take like 4-6 years to complete. ; )
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Post by X'o'Lore on Mar 28, 2013 2:52:54 GMT
I finally had time to finish my WoT book. Now I am sad because it was the last book.
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Post by Emily on Mar 28, 2013 9:36:49 GMT
I have so much work to do
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Post by Ally on Mar 28, 2013 12:36:35 GMT
*hugs for the Em*
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Post by clemon on Mar 28, 2013 13:41:35 GMT
What does WoT stand for? Or should I ready know?
@em: Become a work zombie!
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Post by X'o'Lore on Mar 28, 2013 17:46:50 GMT
WoT = Wheel of Time.
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Post by Soff on Mar 29, 2013 6:45:15 GMT
Woops, I've stayed really late today! Oh, well, it's not like I actually get up and do things in the mornings anyway... It's been a while since the last time I stayed this late, though. Maybe this means that the annoying sleepiness I've been having lately is wearing off, yay C: !
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