Waiting it out / Happy 2013!

[DarwinAG]

Hey all. I was just perusing the waiting it out forum and saw the long thread on people "losing their mind" with the waiting. I stopped paying attention to people's field/program at some point. I thought it would be fun and more enjoyable to start one in the psychology forum.

 

Admittedly, I had a moment of panic/worry or some unpleasant feeling yesterday (I am low on emotional granularity). Then I remembered my favorite Tibetan proverb on worrying, and I realized there was nothing I can do with my applications at this point and I felt relaxed and calm every since.

 

At any rate, how is everyone holding up? What are some activities that help you worry less? What are everyone's plans for New Years? Speaking of, I should get ready for new years.

 

Happy 2013 everyone.

Edited January 1, 2013 by DarwinAG

[Tolman's Rat]

Happy 2013! 

 

At this point, I have taken a similar approach. I'm comfortable moving forward even if I don't get accepted and trying again next year. I am starting to really doubt my chances since my quant GRE score is poor (despite excellent stats background) and I studied at a lower tier university. I know what I need to do to strengthen my application if it needs to happen, and know that I have solid options through next year if I need to wait it out. 

 

That said, I'm hoping for the best and really, really envying those who have been accepted already.

[Quant_Liz_Lemon]

Admittedly, I had a moment of panic/worry or some unpleasant feeling yesterday (I am low on emotional granularity). Then I remembered my favorite Tibetan proverb on worrying, and I realized there was nothing I can do with my applications at this point and I felt relaxed and calm every since.

Story of my life/winter break. (Well, except for the proverb...)

 

At any rate, how is everyone holding up? What are some activities that help you worry less? What are everyone's plans for New Years? Speaking of, I should get ready for new years.

I've been doing as much work as possible, just trying to distract myself. In the last 7 days or so, I've learned a new method (cox regression), consulted (using my old econ skills), cleaned a data set, and started reading Simonton's Introduction to Historiometry.

 

I know that if I don't distract myself, I'll be insufferable. I'm a wee bit neurotic. 

[psychdork]

Happy 2013!

 

I've actually (strangely?) been pretty calm about this whole thing so far.  Don't get me wrong, I've definitely been checking the results page several times a day, and I keep my phone near me at all times, but I haven't started obsessing about it yet.  Yet, is the key word though.  I keep wondering how long this will last.  I have a feeling that it probably won't last much longer (I've actually been somewhat anxious today but hoping it's just a fluke).  I should hear back sometime around mid-Jan through mid-Feb so it's still pretty early for my programs, but as we get closer to that time frame, I have a feeling my anxiety level will increase considerably.  I must admit though, I'm jealous of those of you who have already heard back!

 

I'm also a tad neurotic so it's best to keep busy.  I don't have classes this semester so I unfortunately won't have those as a distraction, but I'm hoping I will still be pretty busy with my job, lab stuff, and TAing...not to mention writing my master's thesis.  In case those won't keep me busy enough though, I'm also planning on the following:

~Running every other day (with yoga/ballet/weights on the non-running days)

~Crocheting myself a scarf

~Video games/movies/books

~Cleaning/organizing my stuff to make my life easier when I have to move

~Arranging more outings with my friends

 

Hopefully it will work.  I let the anxiety get to me last year, and I really don't want to feel that way again this year.

[gradorbust]

Yea, I am going to get started on the catalouging process for my hobbies again.  Hopefully organizing things will help distract me in the mean time.   Also preping all my excess stuff that is not getting moved with me for sale will also help.

[EastCoasting]

Kids, dogs, teaching, and RAing. Not a spare moment to wonder whether the second time applying is the charm!

[stereopticons]

I've been trying to keep busy (I have three jobs...) but I still manage to have time to feel anxious. I'm trying to do better than last year, though. Last year, I was just awful to be around, and it's still too early for me to be freaking out. None of my schools have shown up on the results or interview threads yet.

[RubyBright]

I am starting to really doubt my chances since my quant GRE score is poor (despite excellent stats background) and I studied at a lower tier university. I know what I need to do to strengthen my application if it needs to happen, and know that I have solid options through next year if I need to wait it out. 

 

Right there with you, Tolman's Rat. I still have three more applications to send in, though, so it's a little nerve-racking to already be losing faith. The idea of doing this again next year (or even the year after that) is something I'm trying not to think about.

[firstsight]

Yeah, I'm already seriously considering my backups. None of my apps (save the one that hasn't been submitted yet - Jan 15th deadline) had all 3 LORs submitted in time [1 outstanding on all of them]. While I know sometimes that isn't a problem, well, it still makes me more prone to that whole 'oh man, all of this work for NOTHING' line of thought.

That said, last semester was a crazy hell... I've spent the last week doing nothing but knitting and reading Guy Gavriel Kay, and the week before that enjoying Christmas with the family. Monday it's back to the grind, with classes and research and being a senior coordinating TA for an applied research project/class. It's fun dealing with grad (masters) students having a hard time dealing with an undergrad in a position 'over' them, but maybe this cohort won't be as bad as last year's crop in being prickly and hard to deal with.

Hopefully dealing with prickly grad students and working 45-50 hours a week (sweet, sweet overtime) + finishing my honors thesis analysis/writeup + taking two other classes will fill my time that would otherwise be spent in a tizzy of crazy worry. >.>