wintergirl

Wow -- I'm so relieved to hear I'm not alone in this. Deadlines aren't even working for me right now, which is of course feeding into the despair. Fun times! So how can we psych ourselves up again?? Clearly we all had reason to chose our thesis topics, right? So there should still be some love of the scholarship there that should exist apart from a desire for a PhD? Even if I'm not feeling it at all right now.

Not at all. This is EXACTLY how I'm feeling, completely disheartened and struggling to get my thesis done when it all feels pointless now. And none of my programs (according to the results board) have started giving responses yet so I have no idea how I'll get through another six weeks of this!

Ah! Thanks for pointing that out -- I didn't know that change occurred. Will mentally move Stanford to the back of the line for my "when I might have my hopes crushed" calendar. :|

If you go to grad school in Utah, then yes. We drinking grad students are definitely, bizarrely in the minority.

Me too, bdon19.

Woot! The countdown clock rolls on. (Sadly, this also means my MA thesis due date is one month closer....) To celebrate the new month, say hello to my monthly ritual -- choosing a new desktop wallpaper calendar: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/tag/wallpapers/ Bonne chance, all! : )

WORD. The growing suspense is killing me, minute by minute. (I'm looking at you, USC American Studies & Ethnicity!) TripWills, I've been meaning to ask you if you considered applying to USC. Your interests sound like they might be a good fit for the ASE program.

Pretty sure that this is the kind of Cinderella story we're all hoping for.... Congrats!

This is my weakness too. Damn you, "only those with an image" Cragislist searches + Google Maps!

Congrats, genesisy! I didn't apply to Davis but know someone who did, so I was just curious. : )

Thanks, @supernova1. : ) Trying not to sink into the pit of despair but... All I know is that USC is freaking killing me. KILLING ME.

Maybe it's just the Sunday blues but I'm feeling overwhelmingly negative today--in that "0% confidence" frame of mind. Wondering why I ever thought applying was a good idea . . . which is ridiculous because no results from any of my programs have even been posted yet. Anyone else struggling with feelings of imminent doom in this weird limbo state?

Someone posted an acceptance to UC Davis. Any takers??

Congrats, Laura524! Any chance you can you tell us which program it is? Or at least which state? I know I applied to a bunch of UC schools and would love to know if there's been any movement with those programs. : )

Timshel, I'll be reading Maus for the first time this semester too. Looking forward to it! I don't know much about the genre either so let us know if you find anything cool. Not sure if you've seen it but here's another, early one that I just read for a different class: http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-13660-Mine-Okubo/dp/0295959894

Yes, this. I'm trying to work on my MA thesis (partial draft due Tuesday), but it seems that my mind just wants to wander over the What Ifs instead. Ready to start getting some results and maybe move beyond limbo land! ARGH.

For years I've lived off my supply of various free pens from promotions or old office jobs. Until my MA department gifted everyone last Christmas with a 3-pack of these pens: http://www.staples.com/Staples-Xeno-Retractable-Ballpoint-Pens-Medium-Point-Blue-Dozen/product_577923 Now I'm totally addicted and they're the only pens I want to use. The smoothest ballpoint writing experience I've had. So my choice: Staples' brand XENO ballpoint blue ink clicky pens. All the packs are multicolor (casings), so I have a rainbow of them floating around my messenger bag, desk, bedside table drawer, office, etc. Happiness for this grad student! Now if only they were refillable....

OMG that looks so freaking awesome -- if I weren't lying in my bed under four layers of blankets I would be jumping up and down squealing like a 13-year-old girl. POE!!!!! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, @spinrah.

Thanks, @lolopixie and @lyonessrampant. I've been advised/asked to wait until I receive "official" word first. I don't know if that's because I'm up for the college-level award or what, so I'm hoping it's the former! (Of course, I'm also hoping that it means I can call or email the DGS to add this to my application and have them ALL tell me that they've already decided to admit me and will now add $20,000 to my already generous funding package... ) Dream big, right? ; )

Haha, yes! I'm getting my MA in American Studies right now but my BA's in English, so I kind of straddle the line. I'm interested in American lit and film (and history and popular culture) and the role of both in creating national/regional mythologies--particularly when it comes to the US West. And you? I took off my list of programs due to an attack of extreme pessimism, but my AmStud programs are USC, Michigan, and Yale. Fingers crossed for us all!!

You are a wise one. Change bourbon for the scotch and I think you've just described my plan for the weekend. I'm also applying to PhD programs right now (and teaching, working, taking classes) so it seems that anything BUT my thesis has been my priority for the last few weeks. I've got my proposal defended and a solid draft of my 2nd chapter; drafts of the first two chapters are due to my advisor early next week. So, @fouler657, I'll be slogging it out with you. : )

Not a Theatre/Performance PhD person--hopeful future film studies/lit person--but I had to jump in say that this is my EXACT situation. First two chapters of my MA thesis are due on Tuesday and I've definitely logged in more hours here than on my poor, poor neglected Ch. 1. (Thankfully used the other chapter as a writing sample so that's in better shape.) I have a feeling it's only going to get worse too. Let me know if you find a way to shift our focus back to where it should be! : )

Congrats to both of you on your acceptances!! I'm only a *teeny* bit insanely jealous. : ) Looks like USC's the next one out of the gate, right? I've heard zilch from the dept about my application, except for getting my SASE (I sent that instead of a postcard) back a couple of weeks ago saying they had my materials. Wonder if they'll be on the same timeline they were last year. Sigh. The waiting is indeed the hardest part...

I applied to their English Lit program and got a similar email. My first heart attack of the season! Mine says: "The committees will “hopefully” be meeting the 2nd to 3rd week in February and notification from them should be to you by no later than March 15th." I wish all my programs sent these ETDs--but my heart would definitely give out if I received 12 emails like that. ; )

DITTO.