Cici Beanz

I think a bit more information about your specific area(s) of interest would help us give you more/better insight.

I think this would be a great idea, and I am really hoping that my program either has something official in place or that my classmates are amenable to some informal chill out sessions...

Nice! Enjoy.

I've decided to stay part time past my Aug. 1st move date...so Fridays through Mondays I will spend in my new home, while Tuesday through Thursday I make a little scratch...the enormous loans looming over me have shifted my focus from what's good for me NOW to what'll be good for me come repayment time...I'm thinking it'll be nice to have a kind of transition period, anyway.

I'm on the south side near Vestal Parkway...about 10 straightforward minutes from the school in a quiet residential neighborhood. I'm pretty happy about the location.

Also, that's legitimately really, really horrible.

Oh lord. Don't let my mother see that. She's already beside herself about the whole living with strangers situation.

NJ folk festival! acoustic music, flannel and bourbon. 3:00 can't come soon enough.

So I've signed a lease! I'll be living with 4 other roommates, so I know it'll be a little crowded, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll ALSO be a kind of built in social group of sorts as well. I've also been researching local cafes and other places to hang out and a few of them look like fun.

I want it to be Friday again plz.

I know some of the traditional things that go a long way toward helping establish residency are 1. a lease 2. driver's license/car registrations/ ins. in the state 3. voter registration and then a few more bills couldn't hurt. What about maybe a phone number too? I just thought of that right now, though, so take it with a grain of salt. I know you may have already done all of this and then some, but I figured I'd tell you what I know just in case. Keep us posted!

Have you looked at the University of South Florida's Masters program?

Seriously? No one? I know the books I mentioned aren't all super academic...I hope that isn't what deterred others from posting. I'm coming from a six year academic hiatus and a psych undergrad, so I'm hoping to learn from folks who are more familiar with the main players when it comes to reading.

Thanks for posting this! I am starting my MS this fall and have set a goal of 2 published (or publishable, at least) papers- one per year. This was exactly how I'd planned to prepare, and your post has somehow upped my confidence/enthusiasm.

YAY!! Happy Friday everyone!

Oh how I wish that had been an option! I already signed, but I read carefully...plus the landlord seems like someone who really pays attention to who he rents to. I know it's not an ideal situation, but I had to act quickly since almost everything where I'm moving is rented June through May...there's not much going on in the area outside of the school. I am well aware that this could end up not going well, but I'll deal...and I'll have much more insider info next year if I decide to move.

Hello. What's your program?

So I'm taking a risk and moving in with four strangers this fall. I'm wary but hopeful. Wish me luck!

You're so right. The weird part, though, is that there's no *conscious* emotional component. I'm "at peace" with my absurd level of laziness, except when I look at my behavior objectively...making it much harder for me to get in gear. I'm workin' on it, though.

So I've already replied to this post once, but I felt the need to pop back over today. I'm in such a rut since I got into school it's not even funny. I keep thinking "I'm only keeping time for a few more months, so what's the point?" about just about everything. Yesterday I got caught doing financial aid stuff from the office. (and yet, today, here I am screwing around on GC). I've gained almost 10 lbs because I can't be arsed to eat properly or exercise. It sucks, because it's going to leave me at a disadvantage when school DOES start. More last minute stuff to take care of, plus I'll be feeling like hell because I've been treating my body like crap. Don't get me wrong...I know this isn't the end of the world, and I'm beyond thrilled to be starting school...I just hope that I snap out of my funk as easily as I expect myself to, because if I continue feeling like this I'll be screwed when school starts.

I am really, really hoping that my decision to go the MS route helps me out some in this regard...even if I decide to continue my education by pursuing a PhD. The economic climate out there is just scary, period. All I want is to be able to move into a field I love and be able to pay back my (not insubstantial) loans before I'm dead. :/

What everyone else said~ Don't give up! Live and learn. Good luck.

I'm just startgin my masters in the fall but I've already decided that I MUST do my best to create a balanced lifestyle for myself. If I don't, I know my motivation will go right down the tubes. My hope is that school will be fulfilling in its own right...allowing me to do a lot of work without becoming resentful or burned out...and that my projects will pick up momentum from my enthusiasm. I feel like when we drown ourselves too much in one thing we spend time stressing and ruminating that we could be putting to better use taking care of ourselves.

As an incoming MS student this made me cringe a little. For one, the figures that you posted are just flat-out depressing (but completely believable). Additionally, though, I thought the implication that masters students are that far removed from PhD students in terms of ability was a little insulting. I know the academic expectations vary widely according to level, field, individual program etc...but I also know that the masters program I'm starting this fall is far from a cakewalk, and whatever GPS I end up with will be well-earned. To me it makes sense that ALL graduate students would be doing "A" level work most of the time. Yikes. I guess I'm kind of sensitive about this. Your wording got under my skin but I guess my real problem is, again, that you're absolutely right. I think I resent the fact that there are Masters programs out there that are so un-challenging that they potentially bring down the reputation of the entire degree. </rant> Sorry.

This is really the crux of the whole conversation. At this stage of the game, your grades are going to be a by-product of a number of things, first among them your ability to successfully understand course materials and integrate them into your knowledge base. If you've done that to the best of your ability, 1. That's all anyone can ask of you. and 2. You grades will likely reflect that effort, leaving you with a good GPA.