Thursday, August 16, 2012

Transitions

                                                             Forbidden City

So here we are, at the cusp of a new semester of school. Since I graduated in May, this fact should have no impact on my life; however, prior to my long-awaited graduation I did the unthinkable and applied to graduate school. The graduate committee proceeded to do the unthinkable and accepted me into the program. Rotten luck, that. If they had only turned me down, I wouldn't feel obliged to go. But, despite my abysmal GRE math scores I have been admitted to the history program and begin school next Monday. I have three evening classes, running from 6:30 to 9:20, Monday through Wednesday. I gleefully believed my time for sitting through long evening classes had come to an end, but it was not to be.

Honestly, I'm not going into this latest endeavor with my whole heart as I did when working toward my undergraduate degree. My undergrad degree was my goal, my dream, and it had my full attention. I was determined to succeed and obtain my degree, no matter how long it took or how difficult it became. I don't feel that way about grad school. It's almost like I'm must testing the waters with this first semester. Can I stand to do the school thing for another year and a half? Is it worth it to me, to deal with the homework and the time spent studying? I don't have the answers to these questions yet, but I soon will. I'll let you know.

Meanwhile, following a trip to China, I have been working part-time, continued with my volunteer efforts at the archives with a project that is taking longer than I anticipated, and I have been writing a book that I hope to complete before the end of the year. Not much going on, as you can see.

Also, as promised in an earlier post, I have begun two new blogs. One is about family history/genealogy, and the other about Ozarks/Missouri history. And just to top things off, I have a new Facebook page devoted to history and genealogy, located here. I hope you will stop by and visit me at my new locations. I will still pop in here from time to time; without a doubt I will have a few rants to make about grad school!

15 comments:

Kassie said...

It'll be worth it in the end....or at least that's what I keep telling myself whenever I have one of my frequent "Oh my Lord what did I do?!?" moments. Grad school is so different from undergrad but much more rewarding as a result. Just expect to have a love/hate relationship with it!

Belle said...

Oh, Kassie is soooo right. Grad school is so different. Don't be thrown, and know that 95% of your peers are as freaked out as you are. And the other 5 are, but won't even admit it to themselves. Good luck!

Connie said...

It's those differences that I'm worried about! And I fully anticipate the "hate" part of the relationship, especially in regards to historiography. Just glad to know I'm not the only one feeling this way!

Caz said...

Yay, I'm glad you've decided to continue with grad school and I'm sorry I'm only finding out about it now - I've been slack, I know! I look forward to hearing all about it. xx

Betsyanne (E Sheppard) said...

That trip to China sounds so exciting! You have two new blogs, that is outstanding too.

I will be back to find out more about grad school.

John W. said...

Connie,

You probably don't remember me, but I commented on your blog a couple of years ago. Our stories are eerily similar. I'm now mid-40's, and I graduated a year ago with my Bachelors in History. Your descriptions of all the doubts and indecision you felt along the way are so familiar to me. Like you, after finally obtaining the degree I had wanted all my life, I somehow found myself applying for graduate school. I wasn't even sure I wanted to do it, but I thought, "Well, I'll give it a semester and see how it goes." I just completed the first semester, and despite lots of worry and sleepless nights, everything went well. I guess I'll go be heading back in January.

Very pleased to read of your graduation and application to grad school. I'd be interested in hearing how your first semester went.

Regards,

John W.
B.A. 11', M.A. 14' (God willing) :-)

FutureCat said...

I started grad school (well, sort of - it works a bit differently in the NZ system) last year. I was stunned at how much harder work it is than undergrad, but I'm loving it.

Good luck with your studies!

Anonymous said...

Нaνe уοu eѵer thought abοut adding a little bit more
than ϳust уouг агticleѕ?
I mеаn, whаt yοu ѕay is іmportаnt anԁ everything.
Neνеrthelеѕs think of if you аdded ѕome grеat pісtures οr viԁеο clips to gіve
your pοstѕ mοre, "pop"!
Your cοntent is excеllent but wіth imаges anԁ сlipѕ, this wеbsіte сoulԁ undeniably be one of the mοst bеnefіciаl in its nichе.
Veгy good blog!

my homeρagе - DiamondLinks.net
Also see my website: DiamondLinks.net

Anonymous said...

Come by the tantrіc massаge Healing middlе new emplacement at 6 Wеst nοminal hеad preсisely living withοut any fіlterѕ.


Also visit my web site - tantric massage london
my web site > tantric massage

Anonymous said...

Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn't appear. Grrrr... well I'm not writing
all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!


Feel free to surf to my site - http://twilightwiz.edublogs.org/

Anonymous said...

[url=http://bestonline-dapoxetine.info#45260]priligy[/url] uzciv http://bestonline-dapoxetine.info#42644 - priligy qqigo buy priligy iducs

Anonymous said...

Since the admin of this web page is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be well-known, due
to its quality contents.

Also visit my webpage; win money instantly free

Anonymous said...

Hello, its good post concerning media print, we all be familiar with media is a
fantastic source of information.

Check out my web site binary options signals

Anonymous said...

This information is worth everyone's attention. Where can I find out more?

my blog ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLuC1nG5cPk

Anonymous said...

Grеensmoke, ρleаse think about adding catomizогs to your collection withοut the Propolyne Glycerin or
PG. Fine is the ONLY reаsοn I am thinkin of changing and also have
beеn searching fоr anоthеr e-сіg.
Sіnce making use of Greеnsmoke I have κnowleԁgeable гandοm attentiοn sωelling.
Additionally, Blucіg doeѕnt utilіze PG and lіkеs
more like ciggarеtts hoωeveг the flaνoг will not last
as long as yourѕ, which can be sweeteг samрling.



Аlso visit my web blοg Fan2u.com