|
Even though I am writing this, I really should be studying.
I have a test on Thursday (in 2 days). I only knew about it yesterday; but I didn't study yesterday because I was with my girlfriend. Right now I know jack shit about the course.
I took a job of statistical consulting yesterday. I need to get it done this week... except the data set is massive and the signals are weak; it will take a while to come up with something good and write up a report.
I also have an assignment due on Friday (in 3 days). I am still deciding if I should take an 8-hours bus trip to University of Michigan's open house happening this Friday and Saturday (which also means skipping my Friday's lectures, putting me even more behind in school work).
I understand my predicament may be nothing comparing to some of the TLers'. But the thing is, when I was a first year student in university, I was extremely organized, hardworking, and managed my time effectively; I consistently got things done days ahead of time and maintain to study three hours every day. Fast-tracking five years now as a graduate student, I found myself to be not performing as well as I used to. Nowadays I do things at the last minute and barely study at all. My grades weren't negatively affected... yet. But I sense an Apocalypse is coming soon.
I caught something called a slump, perhaps.
Hopefully I won't fall too far from grace. In September I will be beginning my PhD work. As you may know, a PhD program require hard work, dedication, and concentration. While this was a dream of mine since a young age, right now I am not sure if with my current conditions I am still up for the challenge.
|
Sounds like your work ethic lacks...
+ Show Spoiler +
+ Show Spoiler +Man up, dude, stop slacking off. Sometimes you just have to say no to yourself and do what needs to be done
Good luck with that though keke
|
at some point you just have to make the decision to work hard. I've heard stories like yours many times from friends, first year they work hard and get stuff done on time, by the second year though the excitment and gumption that propelled them during the first year have gone and they are staring down a barrel that doesn't end for two more years.
At this point most people think "hmm, well so long as I pass this year I can work hard in my final year". Basically, your motivation is gone and you probably drink/smoke too much, and maybe have sex too much (seriously, at Uni this can be a real problem), all these things mean life outside of class is infinitely more appealing.
The only person who can make you work hard is you, you aren't in high school where a teacher can threaten you with a letter to your parents or something like that, your parents aren't there to make sure you do your work (I bet you've lied more than once to them about that since you've been at Uni).
Here is your motivation, if you fail, you are the one who has no prospects in life. If you dreamed of having a PhD all your life and you don't pass it, you will be the one who goes through the rest of your life with regrets. Take it from someone who has many regrets, if I hadn't picked myself up and banged some sense in to myself, I wouldn't be here to tell you about it, literally.
Its all on you, and its a choice. Everything is a choice, don't let anyone tell you differently. I almost killed myself with drugs on more than one occasion, they cost me more than I care to remember, including a masters degree, but I made that choice, and I have to live with it. While you not doing your work isn't going to kill you, not getting your PhD might "kill you" inside.
Make the choice, either you want it or you don't. You need to figure that out and then throw yourself into whatever you decide and make the choice to work damn hard.
|
Make the choice, either you want it or you don't.
This. If you want it but don't do it, lack of motivation is no excuse. It's not meant to be easy.
|
Did you have people looking over your shoulder, making sure you were working hard, when you were younger? If you worked hard in your first year, that kind of makes it sound like you still had the sense of mommy and daddy looking at your grades, even if you'd already moved out.
This is kind of the flaw of overbearing parents, although maybe I've got it all wrong and this isn't the case with you. What else can you think of that might have changed since your first year? That is... don't just say 'I changed,' but what caused you to change?
|
Actually, no I did not have overbearing parents. My parents hardly cared about my academics at all and have never seen my university grades (although I am not worried even if they do see them because they are pretty good).
When I started in university I was freshly out of a relationship; eager to prove my abilities and make her jealous I worked really hard to have good overall achievement. Perhaps that was my driving force back then. However, I don't think this is the primary cause for my sloth right now.
Before 2011 I was extremely worried about getting into a good PhD program; but now I do know where I will be going (it's my second best choice; but still an excellent program). Right now I am just finishing up my courses at University of Toronto, get my degree, then move to the new place which has accepted me. It's kind of a "lame-duck" situation, as my grades right now probably won't affect much of anything. This is why I don't feel too pressured about doing well.
Yet I still want to do well. The job market for a PhD is bleak and I should consider what I need to do if I cannot land a faculty position after graduation. One of the considerations is medical school, which I definitely need to have good grades for. There are also some other possibilities that are less extravagant; but regardless I should maintain my GPA to keep these options alive.
In summary, whether or not I should work hard right now depends on whether or not I want to keep my "Plan B". Some people argue that Plan B distracts one from Plan A: I agree with this sentiment. However I am the kind of person who would feel very uncomfortable without a Plan B. Thus the dilemma I am having now: should I enjoy life or keep Plan B alive?
I am sorry that I just posed a rhetorical question which only I can answer.
|
On March 16 2011 04:27 TheJoyBringer wrote:Sounds like your work ethic lacks... + Show Spoiler ++ Show Spoiler +Man up, dude, stop slacking off. Sometimes you just have to say no to yourself and do what needs to be done
Good luck with that though keke
Wtf.
I thought you were gonna do a
Sounds like your work ethic lacks...
+ Show Spoiler +
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
