JenMR

I'm doing my MA in medical anthropology and have really enjoyed the process so far. At my university, going straight from a BA into a PhD isn't an option, so this seemed like the natural route for me. I'm thinking of my MA as a good stepping stone toward a PhD. Personally, I'm not sure how I would've coped going straight from a BA to a PhD considering the significant differences between an MA and a BA because both entail a very different engagement and application of anthropological knowledge. I kind of think an MA thesis would be good prep for developing a dissertation. My theory and methods classes were really fantastic and I've found them useful in thinking through methodological approaches to my own research. I have no experience with combined MA/PhD, but I have heard a faculty members in my dept. talk about the value of doing an MA as a separate program before a PhD. Not sure if this helps! Good luck making your decision!

Skiergirl24, I'm really sorry you're going through all of this! I agree with matcha. Can you make sure to take some time for yourself everyday? Do you have a friend, either someone you know through the department, or maybe someone who's removed from the situation to just vent to about this over a coffee or tea? Or maybe even a bike ride or a walk? Having a friend that you can even cry to about all of this might help. Sometimes it's just nice to have someone else validate how you feel. This might be hard to do, but could you book a massage or something to help to you a little bit? The city I live in has a school of massage therapy, where people can book hr long massages for about $21. Is there something similar that you could do for yourself? I think it could be easily justified with the stress that you're going through right now! Would it help you to have someone intervene on your behalf to start sorting out this situation? Do you have someone in your department that you can speak to about this situation? Your dept. chair? Or does your university have an ombudsperson, who may be able to facilitate or moderate discussion with your committee to start effectively working through your thesis?

I don't have experience taking time off as a grad student, but I did take a year and a half off when I was doing my BA. I had planned of never going back to school again because, by the time I left, I was absolutely miserable. Just a few thoughts and questions: Does your university have a counseling centre where you might feel comfortable speaking with someone about what options are available to you? Or even a graduate advising centre? What is your relationship like with your supervisor(s)? Could you speak to them about how you're feeling right now? Would you consider taking a semester off instead of a year? That might allow you to take a break away from everything without making it too difficult to jump back in if you decide to. Does your department offer a co-op program to students? Maybe working would get you far enough away from your department, but still allow you to do work that you would hopefully enjoy. Are you close to other students in your department? One of the things I realized is that once I started talking to other grad students in my department, there was a lot of commiseration on the frustration/exhaustion/anxiety we felt going through this program. It was nice to be able to talk to people about going through all of this together and to know that I wasn't the only one. It's also just nice to get together with people and hang out. It's hard being on your own and surrounding yourself with other people in a similar situation can sometimes help to alleviate some anxiety. For what it's worth, I don't think there is any shame in deciding to leave a program that is causing you panic attacks. It is a hard decision to make and that, in and of itself, takes a lot of guts. I hope whatever one you do make works for you in the end. Good luck!

Thanks for correcting me, Snasser. I found out that the payments were monthly once I spoke to one of the scholarship officers about it, but forgot that I had posted a comment about getting bi-weekly payments. No idea why I thought that!

I take a tea towel and wrap it around the glass part of the press. I just make sure to fold the towel in half before wrapping it around and then I tuck the ends into the handle to make sure it doesn't slip. It keeps it hotter much longer! I know you can also get french press cozies, like tea cozies. But, I can't justify buying one when the tea towel works so well.

My first two years were the same as Unlikely Grad--I screwed them up too. I think I was sitting at a B- average. When I applied for my MA program, my department was mostly interested in my last two full-time years as an undergrad and even at that, they were more interested in the courses that were applicable to the program. I know that reference letters are a big part of the application package. So, if you have good solid references who are willing to speak positively on your behalf, that will definitely help. I had one semester where I was seriously ill and that ended up lowering my GPA pretty significantly in my third year. That ended up affecting my cumulative GPA. I was unable to comment on it in my letter of intent, so I asked one of my references to mention it in her letter instead. In some ways, I think that was more helpful, since it didn't come across as me attempting to excuse my illness (which, I think would be totally okay anyway!), but rather it was acknowledged by a faculty member who knew me and could comment on how I was able to overcome it and excel in my courses afterward. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for your situation, but could you ask one of your references to make a statement about your cumulative GPA and why it's at 2.4? Maybe having one of them explain that it was a different program and that your interest in Political Science is reflected in the excellent grades you achieved in your current course work will help the selection committees better understand your circumstances.

I spoke to my grad scholarship officer last Thursday. She told me that I'd be getting my monthly allocation for May and June in one cheque, since I asked the funding to start in May. Unfortunately, she also told me that I won't be getting that cheque until around mid-June. I'm guessing it's because forms need to be sent to SSHRC , which then need to be processed, etc.

Ulrich Schnauss is fantastic! I'm listening to him on myspace. Good office music!

That is ridiculously helpful!! I downloaded Leechblock on my laptop and office computer. Thanks!

gift horse

I tried giving up coffee and failed miserably! It's getting to the point where I need at least three cups to start feeling productive (and human). I never was a coffee drinker until I got into my upper level undergrad courses and now I can't even start my day without it. Although, I can always tell when I've had too much. I get really anxious and, oddly enough, my gag reflex kicks into overdrive. Anxiety and an overactive gag reflex are really not the best combination. Huh. I tried soy milk with coffee and found that it separates from the coffee after a few minutes. Have you had that problem? If I'm looking for an alternative to plain old sugar and milk, I add a packet of hot chocolate. It's my poor student's version of a mocha. It gets the job done!

Amazing Grace

race track

race car

fuzzylogician, that's a fantastic list! I can't work at home either. Generally, in the office I work in, I'm surrounded by friends, which can be a bit distracting at times. At other times, it's been the only thing that's helped me manage an overwhelming workload! Scheduling breaks and staying off the internet are two things that I need to work on. Thanks for your comments! Jae B., I really love the Spirited Away sound track! Have you ever listened to Olafur Arnalds? He's like Sigur Ros, only more mellow and really great to listen to if you need some background music.

student loan

Jae B., funny you should mention shifts in research topics. I just did that with my thesis topic a couple of weeks ago. It now works better with much of the literature I've been looking at over the last semester. I'm wondering if it's maybe that I've spent so much time looking at this literature that I'm not sure what to do with it now. I need to look at it differently. It's just a matter of actually doing that! I completely understand that lack of interest in the topic though. If I'm not interested, it's really like pulling teeth when I'm trying to actually get down to it. I definitely didn't recover from being a procrastinator as an undergrad! I just found new and more interesting ways to do it and then panicked about it later on! Those are great tips, poco_puffs! I've made a list of things I need to do for my proposal. It's just a matter of abiding by that list now. Limiting my breaks would probably be a really good idea, since I tend to get distracted by whatever I'm looking at and then realize that I over-extended by break by an hour. Honouring limits, I think that's exactly the point I need to work on since I tend to let myself wander off and do whatever I find interesting at that particular moment. Thank you both!

nurse shark

I finally made it through my first year of coursework for my MA program and am working through my research proposal. I'm hoping to wrap-up the proposal writing andsubmit my ethics application in the next month and a half so I can begin my research at the end of the summer. But, I'm finding my interest in doing any sort of work right now is seriously waning. I've spent more time than I'd like to admit lurking around on blogs, checking my email, and watching random youtube videos of adorable animals as a way to stave off doing work. I have become highly skilled in the art of procrastination! And I fully realize I'm using this forum to procrastinate right now! So, how do you stay on task when you find yourself procrastinating? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Finally got my letter today! Good luck to everyone waiting and, again, congratulations to those who know. Best wishes to everyone with their research!

Wow, linggirl, kudos to you for pulling off no small feat in such a short period of time and for making it on the waiting list. I only know of one person who applied as an undergrad and he was an amazing student and didn't end up making it past the university's selection committee. So, even though you may not get the funding, congratulations on making it as far as you did! Compoe, don't I know that feeling well! Extensions are the only thing that got me through all of my papers this past semester! Congratulations to everyone who found out today that they've been successful! At UVic, I think we're getting bi-weekly payments. The SSHRC website says that it might be different for each university, according to their protocol. I think it is possible to use your remaining money toward your PhD. It might depend on where you want to go though. The website has a lengthy write-up about regulations around your funding (the link should take you directly to those regulations). I think it has what you need to know about transferring the money over to another degree.

Thanks alau! Sounds like you had a lovely evening. I'm planning on celebrating next week! Can't wait! Compoe, I'm admire your ability to work! I spent the morning completely stressed out over not knowing and then the afternoon too high on adrenaline to be able to concentrate on anything. I will probably regret that over the next few days as a scramble to get everything done.

Hi Kokocwire, I'm doing my MA in anthropology right now, so I'm not sure how helpful my comments might be, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Is there a grad adviser in the history/anthropology department at Michigan? It might help to send an email to the advisor explaining your circumstances and asking what might be required of you to get into the program. In my department (at the University of Victoria), non-anthropology students can still be accepted into the program, but they might be required to take some breadth courses in anthropological theory so they have the necessary background. In our department, applicants are assessed on a case by case basis, which might be the same for Michigan. The other thing that came to mind is your potential supervisor (or supervisors). If you could explain either on your application (if you apply) or if you talk to an advisor why your prospective supervisor would be a good match for you and vice versa, that might help you get into the program. Good luck and I hope this helps!

Hee. It's okay.

Thanks, duck dock!! What a huge relief! I'll post when I get my letter. Good luck to everyone waiting!