Today it begins. Grad school. I'm attending California State University, Sacramento for my M.A. in Literature with a certificate in Composition (or I will be if Financial Aid doesn't try to screw me with a red hot pitchfork).
Two and a half to three years from now I'll graduate, after I either write an 80+ page thesis paper, or study 40+ plays, poetry collections, and works of fiction which will end in a 6 1/2 hour long examination (FUN!).
I'm also doing this at night. Yes, I'll be working full time in the day, then acting as a full time student at night. Throw in work on the blog, Edible Sacramento duties, errands, cooking and other everyday duties and I may possibly go lose my mind.
Anyways, where am I going with this? Well, basically due to the addition of me needing to learn advanced composition and the collective works of Jane Austen, the blog may have a small sputter until I learn how to balance it all. Basically instead of 3-4 posts a week, we may drop to 1-2 for a while and they may be a little less meaty than before.
I'm doing this because my penultimate goal is to become an English professor at a community college or state school, then one day go back for my PhD. and then get tenure at some great university where I can teach and be paid to lock myself in a basement and do research. I really love doing research and love love LOVE writing research papers. I know, I'm a freak.
I have to admit, I'm apprehensive. It's been a few years since I wrote anything academic, but this blog has helped me keep writing so that must count for something. I'm scared, nervous, excited, jittery, emotional, and possibly a bit touched in the head. Still, we brave out into the unknown and take risks. We challenge ourselves. We forge on. And we put ourselves into obscene debt come the end of it.
So wish me luck on this new adventure, because Jesus-tap-dancing-Christ I am so going to need it.
Vanilla Garlic All rights reserved © Blog Milk Powered by Blogger
Wow, good luck, Garrett! I am always in awe of people who can successfully balance full-time work along with grad school. It will probably take some sacrifices, but I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Garrett! I finished my doctorate last month. It's a long haul, but worth it. Good luck and have fun!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck! Sounds so exciting to me, someone who wavered between grad school for literature and law school. Law school won, but my heart is still in that MA...or MFA in Creative Writing! Aaah!
ReplyDeletePlease be sure to share with us what you're reading :)
Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll get into the rhythm of it soon enough, and have the time of your life. :)
Ahh Jane Austen. I'm rereading Mansfield Park as we speak. She is utter heaven, isn't she? I'm so excited for you - school's going to be a raging success because you're studying something you're passionate about. I miss school so much, and I always talk with my professors about going back for an advanced degree. But mama's getting a little long in the tooth.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your school. I'm a grad student myself, and I can tell you that it's hard but really worth it. You just have to know that it'll make you that much closer to your goals. In fact, that's my mantra most days.
ReplyDeleteHey, my brother studies his master's in the same school!! good luck with yours...i know its gonna be tough, but college is always fun and so is learning!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you, G.! I'm sure you'll do beautifully and hopefully not lose your mind in the process. You're smart to be doing this while you're still relatively fresh out of undergrad. I'm beginning to contemplate grad school myself but find it rather daunting considering I've been out of college for 10 years now. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, do let us know if you're reading anything good.
Good luck, man!
ReplyDelete~From one research-loving freak to another.
Good luck Garret.. you'll do fine with all your endevors.
ReplyDeleteHurray for going back to school! As a former lit major to a current one, I admire your dedication to the study of theory and the like. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteA good, excellent, brilliant luck! I know what you're feeling, I'm trying to go back to college myself. The results come out next week and I'm a wreck. Imagine what will be in the first day of school... So good luck on this new adventure! May it be all you wish it to be =)
ReplyDeleteGoooooood luck! I'm a longtime reader but first-time commenter. I just started grad school and it really cuts down on free time for blogging! It sounds like you will have a lot on your plate, but it's all going to work out!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you! I hope your classes and whatnot go well and I hope you manage to find your sanity throughout work and school. I'll be heading to grad school next fall- either studying Spanish with a focus in Theatre or Theatre with a focus in Spanish Theatre. Good times indeed. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteyou are so different than me and that is why i enjoy reading this blog. best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI've been there so I know it can be done! It does take some time to figure out the balance (if that is really possible) but once you have a semblance of it you can do it. Don't forget to do things for yourself so you don't get burned out. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Good luck to you. I'm impressed by your attitude towards research papers. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! Do not so much worry about your adoring fans, as we have your archive to peruse and taste.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Pride and Prejudice for the millionth time; and I just finished watching Persuasion again(the 1995 or so BBC version.)
The juggling and the stress will one day pass. During the tough times, just keep repeating, "this too shall pass."
If all else fails, console yourself with the fact that you would make an excellent contestant on Jeopardy ;)
Good luck my friend! May the force be with you on your brain expanding journey.
ReplyDeleteI just happened on your blog last week and am drooling over the cupcakes. I'm thrilled you are going back to school...it is all worth it but it's a long haul! My husband is completing a combined Masters/PhD and has been doing it all at night and online since he works full time and we have 2 kids. It has been a long 4 years but the possibilities now are endless. It is HARD but it feels so good to get it done. Keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Hey, good luck! You are going to be so busy, but its worth it.
ReplyDeleteI am currently starting my dissertation (a mere 18,000 words!)to earn my MA in Gastronomy (study of food and culture), so I certainly know where you are coming from.
And even if everything is perfect, financial aid will still screw you over. It's sort of in their job description:)
You'll do fine. Your sense of humor will keep you from losing your mind. Ah, grad school. I remember it well..school, work, kids,....maybe I did lose my mind..but you won't.
ReplyDeleteBest of Luck. You'll be a great professor! You are already a great writer.
You're young... you'll get through this, somehow! Undoubtedly, it will all be worthwhile. Best, Shelley
ReplyDeleteWhen your activities are fueled by your passion, it is amazing what you can accomplish. Besides, you can learn to pace yourself and scale back when you need to, then pick up the pace when you have the energy.
ReplyDeletei think you have what it takes to manifest your dreams and goals, Garret.
Good luck with your studies!
ReplyDeleteYou are very brave, I'm about to complete my BA in Literature and the idea of going for a MA scares me to death.
BTW, thanks for your last comment on my blog, it made my day.