This week was pretty hard. I told Shawn the other day that I keep having a hard time with "being an adult." I think I have a pretty good sense usually of what people are like when I meet them, but lately, people have been fooling me, and it doesn't feel so good.
Maybe I'm just trying to do too much. I've enrolled in a doctoral program where I can have my doctorate in about four years, and I'm taking a full load each semester with a plan to move on in life and try out some cities other than Nac. That, combined with a full time job gets pretty overwhelming and I get frustrated because I can't devote the same time and energy into my classes now that I did in undergrad. And I certainly need to devote more time now!
What the professors expect from their students is different in grad school, too. I am expected to participate in research outside of class, and present at national conferences. I am expected to get articles published so I can extend my vitae (or resume in other words). When do I have time for this? No one told me the rules!!!
In addition, it saddens me that the school environment these days is full of politics and games. You have to watch what you say where ever you go. School's all about data, and sometimes the students (and teachers) get left behind. Administrators are worried about how much they can get out of teachers. To them, it seems, teachers are disposable, like batteries. They can be replaced with newer ones the next year. This results in burn-out for the teachers, and little time for teaching students about real life. I know the education system needs some help in order to keep up with other countries, but geez!
In other news, only two weeks until a week off for Thanksgiving, woo hoo! I've never had a week off for Thanksgiving before, and I'm skipping my grad classes and going camping! Can't wait; it will be a much deserved break and time away from school to focus on family. :)
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