Well the first year of graduate studies are completed. I have discovered quite a few things about graduate school. I will list my top ten as follows:
1. Having the department head as your Historiography professor the first semester is scary, especially when he looks at you during seminar with a look that says: “Why are you here?”
2. My office is in the basement and I see no sunlight for a good part of the day. I’m happy summer is here.
3. Students, whose papers you grade, feel like you are out to get them, when in fact, you are only trying to help, and they look at you with a look that says: “Why are you here?”
4. Grading 80 finals in two days is torture, especially when they are all essays and answer the same 5 questions. I applaud the professors who do this for 4 classes at the end of the semester.
5. Your “Statement of Purpose” really doesn’t have a purpose for getting you into the Masters’ programs. They don’t even look at that until you apply to Phd school.
6. You can change your thesis at least a hundred times before you get something cohesive.
7. I have lost weight hoofing from the commuter parking area at the very back of Clemson with my numerous bags of books. If you don’t phone the meter maid at the campus police that you’re dropping off books before you park your car in BFE, you will get a ticket if she sees you doing it, and will give you a look that says: “Why are you here?”
8. There’s never enough research.
9. Russian literature is actually pretty fascinating.
10. Writing a 25-30 page research paper becomes second nature. I remember when I used to whine about 10 pages.
Any way, summer is here, so I’ll be posting a bit more. Lots of great things happening this year. Happy writing!
Legends of Green Isle 