Just me

Honestly, I think now many people don't even read my posts. They just automatically down-vote them. Even if I try to be supportive of the OP or say something neutral, it gets a negative vote. It's kind of unfair, really. Guess I'm going to need to start down-voting those who are doing it to me to make things a little more fair. Personally, I don't see a damn thing wrong with what I said. It's okay to wear sweatpants to class if the dress code does not forbid it. Apparently that's a bad thing to say. It's very odd.

How mature - someone disagrees with you or has a different experience from you and they are nothing more than a troll. Good to see we're all adults here. I do apologize for derailing your topic, WornOutGrad. I really just do not wish to see you being as miserable as I am if you allow people to coerce you into an academic life you may not even want to have and miss out on other non-academic life experiences as a result. Yeah, I know...I should take my own advice, but sometimes things are truly easier said than they are done. Besides, I have found that many advisers just throw around the need to get more schooling like it's nothing to spend eight more years and $100K more for an even higher degree. Probably because some of them have no idea what kind of work attaining such a degree entails and they think it's little more than going to the store and picking up a new degree like it's a pair of shoes. Nobody here can really say what's best for you, though. And believe me, I would be homicidal if I had to spend 50-60 hours a week in school. I'd be in class from about 8-5 (one hour for each lunch and dinner) and in class I'll do...something. Might not even be schoolwork. Sometimes I'd get frustrated as hell trying to think and I'd need to cleanse my palate (and palette) creatively...I might sit for a half hour and just do something for me. Just for fun. No rhyme or reason. In my case, it'd be putting on some good music and making a little doodle. So I can assure you, you're not a bad student because you don't work yourself into the nearest nut house. And I don't think it's so much you wouldn't ever be able to do the things you yearn to do...it's just if you went even further in your studies, you might not be able to do them in the very near future, or do them as efficiently as you'd like to. If you try to do work, school, and family life (marriage, children, etc.) all at once, you may find yourself burning out swiftly and one (or all) of those things being neglected. Personally, I could have had a job in undergrad (I know, it's not the same), but I chose not to because I knew I could not handle working and school. I did freelance here and there, but even then sometimes I really felt burned out. I think the best thing I could possibly say is if you're happy, or at least happy more often than not, you're doing things right. I'm sorry that's not the case for you now, though. As said, I hope you can find the balance in life that will let you be truly content, whether that's staying in school, taking a break, or going on to another degree. No one but you can make that call, but you know you better than any of us. Sorry for the rambling, though; I hope it made even a little sense. However, since I am a troll, my opinions are completely invalid.

Thankfully I am not in grad school all year round. If the people who ran the program I'm in weren't complete idiots and maybe spaced the classes and such out more so normal people could complete them. Maybe have a semester be an actual semester long, or rather than have class for three days every four months for four damn years, get all the crap done and over with in a year or year and a half. When I'm not officially in class, I do have more time. But sometimes the homework they load us up with makes it very hard for me to do anything, like travel or look for work. So yes, it is very overwhelming and I think the program needs to be run like a normal master's program. I can barely get the assignments done and I don't even have a job - but then again, people who do work usually turn in a bunch of half-assed assignments and maybe one really nice one. Maybe if I quit trying and just do something without effort, it won't be as difficult. It's too bad I am blamed for playing a "persecution card" simply for telling the truth. Some experiences are specific to my program alone, but some I think could be universal to all grad students. Perhaps from now on I should simply lie to make everyone else happy. I've been doing that my entire life, so why stop here? Grad school is a completely uplifting experience that is worth every penny and it will make you grow exponentially as a professional and as a human being. Even if you major in something you have zero interest in, even if you can't afford to be there, even if you don't want to be there...doesn't matter because grad school is nothing but sunshine, rainbows and happiness and time spent there will guarantee you a spectacular job that you love that also happens to pay very well. Please go to grad school, even if you're a complete drooling moron. And once you graduate, go get another master's degree or two - maybe a Ph.D. They're like Pokemon - you gotta catch 'em all. Have I mentioned how wonderful a life choice grad school is? The End.

Like I'd pass up the chance to comment on this topic. I agree - it's overall good for newbs, though I wouldn't say grad school is similar to a job. It's more like an ass-backwards unpaid internship. And not allowing grad school to consume your whole life is really funny - I'm sure if you give up meals and bathroom time and sleeping, then you can make time to do other things. But if you want to eat, pee, and sleep, then that'll be your only free time while in grad school, sadly. I love that they suggest forming a band as a hobby - really? Ph.D. and master's students have that much time? In what universe, I wonder? That's the part I have the biggest issue with. As long as you're a student, grad school IS your life. Period. Even at meal times at my school, all people talk about is their classes and homework. People don't even talk about their hobbies or lives or jobs - they are just consumed 24/7 with school, so I don't want to hear anyone telling me that I'm making this up. I've seen this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. Other than that, I'd say it's decent advice, and written in an understandable and relaxed tone. As if to imply, "Relax, this isn't that bad." And that may hold true for many students, so if they can reach out and alleviate the fears of most of their target audience, then I'd say they've succeeded in their purpose. I would have liked to see them offer advice on how to keep your job once you begin grad school, or how to find jobs once you graduate since you probably won't find something in your field right away and need to sling nachos at 7-11 for a while. I'm not being negative when I say that (or anything else I've said) - I think it's a very realistic concern grad students should keep in mind. They got most of their points correct, so I give the article a B+. Fix the nonsense about free time and jobs and they can have their A.

(have not read all the previous responses) Tons of people went to class in sweatpants when I was in undergrad. Many of my classmates looked like they rolled out of bed, threw on shoes and came to class as is. Honestly, if you're paying out the backside to attend college,I think that gives you the right to wear whatever you're comfortable in. Personally I hate sweatpants in general and can't even wear them at home when I'm being a lazy bum, but I know loads of folks find them comfy and will wear them to class or to get groceries and such. That's their call. If a school doesn't want people wearing their jammies to class, they need to implement a dress code...if not, they need to expect to see some folks in sweats and sleep clothes. Art school definitely brings out some interesting outfits - I've gone to class in furry boots, with my face painted like a mime, dressed as a maid, wearing all kinds of goodies (wrist cuffs, necklaces, chains, chokers, hats, etc.), and wearing a suit, tie and fedora. No reason in particular - just felt like it. So by all means, if there is no dress code specifically saying you can't wear sweats and such, then wear whatever you're comfortable in. I personally wear a t-shirt, jeans, the blackest black eyeliner I can find, leather choker and combat boots to class every day in grad school. In the colder months, I also wear a hooded sweatshirt with the grim reaper on the front. If the school doesn't like it, they can kiss my ass. I'll be damned if I'm going to give them thousands of dollars and do their ass-busting assignments and NOT be at least semi-comfortable in the process. But art schools might be a little more lax about what you wear. I'm a rebel, so I'd probably wear the same thing on any campus. Bottom line...IMHO, if a professor has time to care and judge you about your outfit, they're not doing their job. They are there to teach, not be fashion critics (unless maybe if they teach in a fashion-related major).

There are times grad school wasn't as bad - like when I accidentally do my work correctly. Then I feel smart and useful for about half a second. And heck, even though I likely can't afford it and it will cause my grades to plummet even more, I am actually looking forward to going to New York in October...mostly because I can see the few people in class I like talking to, and I can go to some cool stores and do some familiar sight-seeing, but it's a start. And honestly, lack of time to to things or be around others is only from my own experience. My program is pretty jam-packed because it's made for working people - basically cram a whole semester into 4-10 days so people can go back to their jobs without getting fired. I digress. WornOutGrad, people here think I am a substandard member, student, and human being because I hold a different viewpoint than them, but I truly only speak from experience and I do try and not allow my resentment and bitterness show through in all my posts (sometimes it does). But within much of my griping are really just some realistic and practical words. No one sees that, though, because I've been labeled high-school-style as an abnormal emo who should not be taken seriously. It's kinda cute. Anyway, this isn't about me, this is about you. Grad school will drain you in every sense of the word, and if you don't like being there, the effects will worsen ten-fold. For those who are head over heels (this phrase doesn't even make sense, but you understand what I mean) about being grad students, the sacrifices and loss of money and time and such are all worth it and may make you feel accomplished at the end of the day. I still stand by my suggestion of slowing down to part-time or taking classes online (if possible) to maybe lift some of the burden. I think that may allow for enough wiggle room in your day-to-day schedule to pursue what you want without losing out completely on a social life. Or if need be, take a break, catch up on things in real life, and really sit down and think about if you are getting more out of grad school than it's taking away from you. People have already said that, but I do concur with those sentiments. I'm sure that is wrong, though, since I am just too unstable in the head to offer advice on anything. No career (or time spend pursuing it) is worth it is if's going to destroy you. I hope you're able to find whatever answer is right for you. (hugs)

And my previous point (one of them) is already being proven: tell strangers you're suicidal and they tell you you're crazy. Good to know. Unfortunately,the more schooling you seek, the more you must be willing to sacrifice in order to get the coveted degree. You need to give up years of your life, time with loved ones, put off things you want to do and places you want to go, lose money that could have been spent on other pressing things. It can make you feel resentful. It's kind of like when a parent has to sacrifice something they want for their kids, and then they go and resent their kids secretly because of it. Trust me, that's normal. I've had to give up a lot of things not only for grad school, but over the course of my whole life (and I know I am not the only one to do this). And I was/am bitter toward those who made me give those things up. It's definitely good that you're already talking to a therapist and on medication - I'm never one to immediately suggest pills to solve problems, but if nothing else helps, then by all means do what you must in order to stay relatively sane. Unfortunately, sometimes in order to dedicate all passion toward studies and subsequent careers, you need to neglect important people and things in your life and if this is something you cannot do for a Ph.D, then I gotta say don't do it. Sometimes it's possible to find a balance between what you love doing and those you love, but sometimes this is not possible and one or the other suffers. Even if you do want to pursue your professional passion in grad school, there will be times you have the occasional nervous breakdown or fit of depression. Trust me, I had those even in undergrad. I cannot count how many times I broke into tears, wanted to drop out and die because I got a B on something I poured my heart and soul into. Many times I cried myself to sleep because I wanted to see my friends and my boyfriend, and my cats too...but I couldn't. If I could have, I'd have thrown all that school BS away in a second to just be with those I loved. Even if I had to work a shit job for minimum wage, if I could do it and be happy, that's all that would matter. But I was talked into (and more or less forced) to stay in school and get my degree. It was fun, but not worth it in the slightest. However, this is only from my own experience - I know not many find themselves in my position. It's your life and you only get one, so do with it what you want. Not what your adviser wants or anyone else. Letting someone else make your choices for you sucks - I know because I deal with it every single day. Let me ask this...is your passion something that requires a master's degree in order to pursue as a career? Or is it something you could study on your own? What about maybe taking part-time online classes from home so you could still spend time being around people you love and doing things you enjoy while continuing your education? It might take a decade to get that degree, but maybe you need a slower pace and the comfort of home? Grad school moves about at mach speed, so I know it leaves little to no time for anything fun or interesting. Yes, I agree that every student has their times of doubt, sadness, uncertainty, fear, anger and frustration while pursuing a degree. But I think if those moments outnumber the neutral and positive moments, that means it's time to get the hell out of Dodge.

Yup - I've felt that way ever since I started last year. Don't know about you, but I'm in grad school against my better judgment. It's not as much the work that stresses me out as much as the debt it will put me in. I'll have about $80K from undergrad by the time I'm out of grad school, and then possibly $50K more from grad school. I've considered suicide as a way to kind of escape the forced college, the debt, and everyone who lives my life for me on a regular basis. But the people who I actually do care about are the ones who keep me going. I have grown resentful of higher education due to it being forced in me for the last six years, and I truly feel the student loan debt I have been forced to take on will make me live in poverty for the rest of my life. Talking can help if you talk to the right person - if you're truly serious about feeling suicidal, many people will just tell you to grow up, get over it, you're being dramatic, etc. That's common when you tell someone you're suicidal because they think you're attention-whoring (and I admit, some people like emo kids ARE doing just that). I suggest confiding in a close friend rather than any strangers because they'll just tell you you're crazy and doing something wrong. Grad school is a very depressing place, though, so it makes sense. You have to do loads of incredibly difficult work, you hardly have time to even use the bathroom let alone have down time to watch a movie or read a non-academic book, you may often be exhausted and pushing yourself to be awake every single day, you might eat less. It's basically nothing but go go go, now now now with no time to rest. You might not even get a full night's rest for the whole time you're there. So believe me, I can understand how being in grad school can be so depressing - it's because it IS depressing, even if you want to be there. It's not like undergrad where you get a month to do one assignment and can have a little playtime here and there. There's none of that when you go for your master's. Others may say otherwise, but my own experience has been depressing and has made me suicidal, upset, and turn to alcohol at times to cope. The worst part is if you choose to major in the arts or humanities, you are very unlikely to ever be able to even use your degree anyway, so that may make your studies even more depressing. I am only speaking from what I have personally experienced, though.

Sadly, the cable (even basic) went byebye many, many years ago and I'm on dial-up. So the only time I could watch TV is when I'm with friends or, when I travel for class, if there's a TV in my room. I tend to watch cartoons, in all honesty...Fairly Odd Parents, Family Guy, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Invader Zim, The Simpsons, Robot Chicken. And I'll watch some live-action shows if I find something good on, like Scrubs, Doctor Who, Kitchen Nightmares, The Office, Tosh, The Golden Girls, Unsolved Mysteries, Ghost Hunters, Hollywood Treasure, and Pawn Stars.

Sometimes I wonder if maybe sometimes my crushes are just an overblown desire to become the guy's friend. I do tend to make better friends with men than I do with women because I think I'm more of a tomboy than a girly girl, so maybe some of those crushes are just my mind screaming out to make friends with whoever the focus of my desire is. And maybe sometimes it really is more than a need for friendship - being someone who has looked rather undesirable her whole life, sometimes I almost do want them to look my way so I can say, "Hey, I caught someone's eye. I'm not a complete pile of festering shit." I know this sounds superficial, but I know for a fact I have fallen harder than I'd have liked to for a couple guy friends in the sense that I think I did have a romantic interest in them. So if there is such an interest in my classmate, it's pretty weak right now. I don't know about anyone else, but I have never ever made the first move in regards to any of my crushes because I was terrified of losing them as friends if they didn't feel the same. And this is not like undergrad where the person I'm crushing on might be in a whole other major - this guy right now is in my major, my year, and usually sits near me since my class is so small. Not easy to avoid him. And I actually worry about the avoidance too. I swear, I automatically will look away if I find I accidentally make eye contact with the guy (unless we're talking to each other, in which case I do look), and I will maintain a "safe" distance from him while I don't mind being right next to anyone else in class. I hope he doesn't notice this. You'd think the way I behave, I'm in a neglectful relationship, but hell, I understand these little crushes are just part of my screwy personality and that I need to accept them as a quirk and not try to deny they exist. The only thing is sometimes these crushes DO distract me from class or from working, especially if the guy is right beside me. It's not often, but if I can admire him without being caught, I will do so. Doing that in undergrad wasn't an issue because undergrad was easy shit, but I need to actually pay attention to class in grad school.

I don't think there would be a such thing as a universal bullshit class...if you attend a college where there is a large variety of majors, what would be a BS class to one field might be essential for another. For example, if you intend to be a marine biologist, then biology and science classes would be a must for you. But if you're an art student, do you really need science at all? And if English classes were totally about improving one's grammar,learning to write resumes, learning MLA and APA writing styles, then that wouldn't be too bad. But why do culinary students need to read things like One Hundred Years of Solitude? Offer English as an elective to people who don't speak it as a first language, and maybe change what we now call English to "Writing" or something like that. I cannot paint any one class with the bullshit brush because very very few classes are worthless to all majors. Why does a person need a generally well-rounded college education when they are majoring in a certain area of study? As an art student, I learned a very broad range of art skills in my classes - web design, digital design, illustration, and so on. So while I may have gotten a well-rounded ART education, I fail to see why throwing in a bunch of high school classes like English and math are necessary to become an artist. I understand other fields might need those "typical" classes, but some don't and I think it's a big waste of time, money and effort to have to worry about answering questions on some obscure novel no one's ever heard of when you could be dedicating that time to doing better on a core class that will help you in your field. But like I said, I know colleges need to get a little more buck for their bang, so they force stupid shit down every student's throat. Some folks are overachievers and might decide to take a few extra BS classes - good for them. That's what bullshit classes should be - optional. And what if a photography student has to keep a certain GPA to, say, maintain a scholarship? And they're very bad at math. That math class could easily drag down their GPA if they do bad - if they fail, they have to take it again and possibly risk getting their GPA dragged down even more and maybe lose their scholarship. If eliminating these unnecessary classes turns a college into a trade school, then why is that a bad thing? That's what you go to college to learn, isn't it? A trade? A skill set? Grooming for a possible career? IMHO, it's all the same thing with different names. Let students focus on their chosen field without the burden of academic add-ons.

Actual software: - Microsoft Word - Adobe (usually Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Flash) - Creatures (for when I feel the need to play God and kill things without guilt) Websites/internet/Media: - iTunes, Windows Media Player or Pandora (okay, that's a website) - Firefox (fewer viruses compared to Internet Explorer) - Dictionary.com - Thesaurus.com Not really software, but more just technology/appliances: - Microwave (coffee and tea) - Nintendo DSi (playing Pokemon causes good stress and relieves bad stress)

Like I said, I am only basing what I say on what I have seen. Places where I used to go for creative work would have job descriptions like, "If you want more than a dollar an hour, don't bother applying." I was told my rate of $8.00 an hour was too high. It's because morons think artists take an idea, push three buttons, and Photoshop makes the art for them. The average person believes making art requires no work whatsoever, which is why you get ignorant clients who want websites saying, "Your rate of $50 an hour is good, but can you have everything done in one hour?" Art, music, and the likes are not bad at all by themselves - believe me, I love to draw. But I'd never tell anyone to try and make a living doing it beyond maybe an Etsy store on the side and having a practical day job. And I know for a fact that there are a couple people here and there who are in grad school because they don't want to find a job or they can't, so they go play student for three more years. That is by no means every student, but a couple folks I know personally are who I would describe as "professional students" because they don't know what they're doing with their lives and are just playing and going into debt until they figure something out. I think someone already mentioned this too, but students in any creative major usually are never taught how to market themselves and their skills either. Yes, they can learn this on their own, but I think if you're throwing away tens of thousands of dollars and years of your life for a degree that might not even mean anything to many employers, shouldn't you at least learn how to whore out your skills that you pick up? It's like the difference between working with a publicist and self-publishing - if you already know what you're doing in every aspect, then just go do your thing. But if you're flailing around like a headless chicken, get someone to help you so you don't fall totally on your ass. But if you're an arts major and you're really passionate about it, neither the cost nor the bleak chance of landing a career may dissuade you. For some, passion overrides the need to afford to live or have food - not what I'd choose for myself, but to each their own. I know many famous artists were starving and poor, so maybe that's the key. Growing up and continuing to be poor may influence my own opinions in the sense that I lean toward preferring financial security than I do having degrees I don't need in something I love doing.

I wouldn't consider anyone in my classes to be a close friend. I can count on one hand all my closest friends - two are from undergrad and the rest are folks I met in high school. My one friend from undergrad was also in my major (the other one was in video production). I have friends in my class right now - two folks in my major and the same year as me I'd consider friends too. But I don't really make friends that often anyway, so this isn't exactly a big surprise.

You give me so little credit - I'm not saying ALL graduate programs area waste of time. I understand many career fields require a master's degree and maybe even something higher. And if you want to teach humanities at either a grade school, high school or college level, then a master's in whatever creative field you prefer may be necessary. But what I am saying is try finding a career at all outside teaching with a master's in the arts. This isn't even about money - just try finding work with it at all - any work. Nobody takes artists and musicians seriously. I speak only from what I have seen first-hand. If you want to go six figures into debt for a degree you will never be able to use, then that's your choice - maybe taking on that kind of debt and making two dollars an hour as a freelancer is your life's dream. I'd personally never encourage someone to do that, though. But if they were really adamant about pursuing a master's in philosophy or graphic design or something equally unreliable, I would tell them to simply not get their hopes up too high as far as landing a six-figure job...or a job that pays a salary that is too far above the poverty level. Like I said, I am only being realistic...the humanities in general just plain don't offer too many bright futures. Most people I know who have their master's degrees are working retail because nobody even needs teachers anymore. When schools lay off their staff or make budget cuts, the humanities are the first ones to suffer. But the sports seem to stay intact, and that is the only thing I'd discourage even MORE as a career path than the arts because there is an even smaller chance of getting a career as a professional athlete. And I don't want to get into my own issues in someone else's topic...if anyone needs to argue that with me, send me a private message instead.

Well, definitely glad I could give you a chuckle...but no, I am being quite serious. I will give grad school credit in the sense that they don't offer bullshit classes nearly as much as undergrad, though. In undergrad, waaaaay too much unnecessary nonsense. For example, I needed to take two English classes, a math class, two art history classes, and at least one elective every semester. I think I know how to read and count by the time I get to college; I think if all I had were core art classes (okay,I'll bend and say give me one obligatory art history class), my degree would not have been as expensive and I wouldn't have needed to be there as long. That degree could have cost thousands less and took maybe one year less to obtain without the cushy nonsense classes. But colleges have to make money somehow, so they tack on unnecessary courses and say they are required credits in order to get the degree being sought. But like I said, I think colleges could probably convince people to take those unnecessary classes by offering an incentive. That way, they can milk a little more money out of each student while maybe only losing a tiny bit if they offer a reward in the form of lowered tuition the following semester. But hell, colleges aren't interested in losing money, so they'll throw a year's worth of extra crap at you and call it required credits. Helping students to learn is a priority, but so is wringing a student's wallet dry. I wonder if it won't be too long before four-year degrees turn into five-year degrees. On the other hand, I also understand that, more and more, you need a college degree in anything in order to even be considered for the crappiest, lowest-paying janitor job in town. So I think it's kind of a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" kind of thing.

Sorry, but I have to agree. Not as a bitter student, but just as someone thinking realistically. Unless you aspire to teach, the humanities are pretty useless otherwise. But if someone's good at art or was in band in high school, they get told by everyone how amazing they are and how they should go to college for their skill. Sometimes those people fall so far in love with their hobbies and talents that they go to grad school for them, but in my opinion, anything beyond a bachelor's degree in any of the humanities is not only worthless, but could sabotage job hunting efforts. If you try to work at a store, do you think for one second they'll take someone with a master's degree in anything? No way - you'll be overqualified for most normal jobs and those positions will be given to junkies and dropouts because they're dumb enough to not question when they're getting screwed over and won't ask for more money. I would personally never ever encourage anyone to major in the humanities unless they want to teach - not even a bachelor's degree. Such things as music and art just don't have much of a place in a practical job market anymore - the best of the best have already been hired and I'd say about 85 percent of those who get "creative" degrees will never actually get to use them for their intended purposes. Frankly, I'd encourage someone looking to major in the arts to major in something more practical (like accounting) and minor in art so they would have a higher chance of actually finding a job while being able to study their passion a little. Or if you want to take a couple college art classes, great - just stay away from a full degree. I only say this from experience - I've had my bachelor's degree for two years and haven't gotten a lick of creative work despite loads of hunting and sending out resumes. It got me a call center job which I was fired from because I wasn't a good little slave. Not to mention a person can be creatively successful without a college degree. Case in point...Johnny Cupcakes. The man dropped out of college his first semester, came up with one cute little logo, knew nothing of marketing, and now he's a millionaire from selling shirts and buttons. Not being mean to him - hell, I met the man and bought a shirt, but I think it's shoved down everyone's throats way too much that you NEED to go to college to be a success and that is so far from the truth. If you're really good, you don't need a degree - someone who gave a lecture to my class last year said he hasn't even the slightest bit of formal art education, but is a tremendously gifted painter who is being offered a professorship. Master's degrees in many other fields are practical, but not so much things like religious studies, music, philosophy, and art. If you're filthy rich or you're retired and have money to waste, then yeah, by all means go get a few master's degrees to decorate your wall. Otherwise, good luck putting a master's in photography to use. From what I have seen with my own eyes, creative passions don't make for good careers.

I think I did bad in my aesthetics class. Dammit, the last thing I want to do in art school (besides being there at all, of course) is needing to study and take written exams. I took more than enough art history classes in undergrad that were worthless and this class was equally ridiculous. We even got a quiz on the first day of class and were still taking notes the day of the final and were expected to have stuff memorized from those notes because that information would be on the final! I'm not going to be an art historian, so I fail to see why I need more art history classes. Especially something as specific as aesthetics - my instructor was a smart and funny guy, but I don't give a damn about the triangular forms in Raphael's 'mother and child' paintings. I love how colleges jam-pack their programs with completely useless classes - I bet if you cut down on the BS in any program and at any degree level, people could get their degrees a lot faster. But then the school can't milk you for more money, so they keep you there and tell you that dumb shit like dolphin hugging and glass blowing are required credits for a geology degree. IMHO, I think the bullshit classes should all be electives and maybe offer an incentive to take them. Like if you take that class and do well, you get a little shaved off next semester's tuition costs. Or the class itself costs less than core classes. It was the bloody "normal" exam and notes classes that made me not get straight A's more than once in undergrad too. But that's a rant for another day. My GPA in grad school has gone down from 4.0 to 3.6 in less than a year and I know it's going to go down even more once I get my grades for this year's summer semester.

I think I read a little faster than normal, but mostly because when it comes to college reading assignments, I know the pieces chosen usually involves some dickbag who decides they need to say something in two dozen words that a normal person could say in eight or nine words. And I gotta say, from my own experience, no one is more long-winded and avoiding of the point of their writing than art critics and aestheticians. Holy crap, these pricks could go on and on for days rather than just saying what they mean outright. So I try to not lose my train of thought on one confusing sentence. I highlight things I think might be important too. Also, try going online to find summaries in modern English of anything you must read - don't bust your ass trying to decipher a historical essay if you can find an interpretation on the internet. Once you know the point up-front, THEN read the material. It'll be a lot easier to understand.

I have to stay in campus housing, which usually is only a super-tiny walk from the housing to the school. I just hated the housing I was stuck in this year because it was an uphill walk in 90-degree or more heat every morning. It wasn't the walking that bothered me - I love walking. But uphill in the heat ensured I was a gross, sweaty mess by the time I took my seat. I actually really liked the housing I was in last year - had my own room and only had to share a bathroom and there was a cafe with (albeit crappy) coffee right in the lobby. My one classmate is a local - she lives only a few minutes' driving distance away from campus, so why she stayed in housing is way beyond me. Oh well, to each their own.

I may just be the exception, then. I am almost always too burned out from class and classwork to even think about doing something I like or want. My means of regrouping is going back to sleep, and maybe listening to a little music while doing so. That's it. I find even if I have time to do things unrelated to class, I'm just too damn tired to do them. I'm mentally burned out to the point where I don't want to write, play a game, even draw (but I'm in art school, so usually I hate drawing for the time I'm in school since I am forced to do a LOT of it for grades). I just find grad school sucks the life and passion right out of me and turns me into a zombie. Even with coffee, all I ever want to do is sleep when I'm there. I don't go anywhere, I don't visit anyone, I don't call anyone. The second class lets out, I go right back to my room and go back to sleep because I have not an ounce of energy to do more than that. I absolutely don't know how my one classmate - who is big on being active (canoeing, skating, running, etc.) could go for a swim or a jog after class. Where's he find the energy? I just don't see how people can find time to take care of themselves in order to prevent burnout when you may very well already be too burned out to try and take care of yourself. And when I spend all day around the same people, the last damn thing I want to do is spend my precious few nightly hours being around them even MORE. But, like I said, I'm not a social person, so my suggestions may be skewed. Honestly, you can socialize anywhere...dining halls, cafes, or maybe even arrange a little meetup or movie night or something via Facebook.

I'm not a going-out kind of person at all, so anytime classmates would go out for dinner or drinks, I was in my room asleep. What can I say? I'm not a social butterfly. But I would do occasional socializing around the coffee pot since we all needed several caffeine fixes and that's about it. And trust me, from what I've seen, there is no time for hobbies in grad school. You work, eat (maybe) and sleep. The End. This is why most social banter I experienced was at school. Besides, no one there is into the things I'm into anyway - big generational gap in my class. I'm actually the youngest one there, at age 24. I think the second youngest person is 36. I actually found my school has an anime club, which I'd love to have looked into, but nooooo...it's just for the goddamn special snowflake undergrads. Just based on what I have seen at my school, the only time anyone ever goes out is to drink. And with all the crap they load us down with as far as assignments, I don't blame those folks in the least. I'd be drinking too if I drank.

I just finished a two-week aesthetics class where people regularly got into big debates in class over form, content, etc. in works of art. Basically, I had an arguing class. I didn't get involved in discussions in the least because I don't like talking in class and I was too damn tired usually to make any sort of compelling argument anyway. I've never ever been one to try and argue with a professor because it was drilled into my head my whole life that authority is to never ever be questioned...that stuck with me and I'm afraid to say anything in objection to a professor, even if I know they are wrong. But no, I don't discuss such things with either classmates or professors...usually because I will say something stupid when everyone else is vastly smarter than I am, so I just keep my trap shut to avoid humiliation. My school is religion-based, but does not require students to be Catholic (I'm sure as hell not), they don't shove religion down your throat beyond the occasional cross over a doorway or a Mary statue outside, and the sisters are very down to earth and not preachy to us at all. But still, some of the folks in my class are gay and find they cannot discuss their relationships too openly. Apparently Catholic schools in my state have the right to throw homosexual people out on the basis of their sexuality alone.