tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post9093494786914243791..comments2024-03-12T03:41:35.856-04:00Comments on From Grad School to Happiness: Holiday ReflectionsJChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468758055878600762noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-53583833919062144412014-09-22T22:16:11.158-04:002014-09-22T22:16:11.158-04:00Academia is mental prison.. at least that's wh...Academia is mental prison.. at least that's what I think of it. Fortunately for me, the sentence is almost over because I'm a soon to be Type-1 leaverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-15337613090400937142011-12-06T13:59:21.090-05:002011-12-06T13:59:21.090-05:00It has taken me quite a while to adjust - really a...It has taken me quite a while to adjust - really adjust - to the "normal" work cycle. For quite a few months, I felt like I needed to be searching for my next job (or else working on some meaningful hobby or household chore) every single second I wasn't in the office.<br /><br />It took probably 4-6 months before I finally felt normal just sitting around on the couch, and didn't feel guilty for just relaxing instead of working.<br /><br />I've told my partner a few times ... leaving academia sometimes feels like leaving a cult. Not only are you having to take on a new identity, but you have to learn an entirely new way of thinking about the world and your position in it. <br /><br />It's a crazy time ... but you will adjust. Good luck and thanks for reading!JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04468758055878600762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-17122612764944957422011-12-05T01:15:12.273-05:002011-12-05T01:15:12.273-05:00Really enjoyed the article..I quit my PhD a month ...Really enjoyed the article..I quit my PhD a month back (long story) and have joined a part-time job. And in my case too, my brain keeps telling me that I'm a slacker on the days I don't 'work' and makes me feel guilty about not having a project to think about 24/7!! Think it will take some time to get used to 'normal' life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-30737029185524915032011-12-04T02:57:53.533-05:002011-12-04T02:57:53.533-05:00Wow, you must be reading my mind. This time of ye...Wow, you must be reading my mind. This time of year is the worst. I know I'll be taking work to my in-laws over Christmas and I hate it. <br /><br />I'm so happy for you that you're enjoying the holidays this year!Sarah ahttp://sarahbare.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-12541700779327913942011-12-01T12:37:29.112-05:002011-12-01T12:37:29.112-05:00or, if the above wasn't cynical enough, i'...or, if the above wasn't cynical enough, i've come to the conclusion that teaching is something one can do to get some money (not a lot, as we know). it's not a noble profession, or even remotely productive or useful in many instances. just a thing you can do, like collecting and recycling cans for money, or paid phone sex.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-64394459384635349822011-12-01T12:35:23.430-05:002011-12-01T12:35:23.430-05:00"Or lessons for apathetic students who will f..."Or lessons for apathetic students who will forget them as soon as they walk out the door?"<br /><br />This is the one that really kills me. I was a lean-forward-in-your-seat and-write-everything-down-and-ask-pertinent-questions kind of undergrad, and only hung out with same. I knew there were apathetic dummies and jerks in the back rows, but you see a LOT more of them from the other side of the podium (and grading pen). And I've come to the conclusion that my life is worth more and should be spent doing something better (anything--organizing the sock drawer comes to mind) than trying to cajole somebody else's shit-eating teenage brats into following the most basic of directions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-48079683776554607242011-12-01T10:11:39.594-05:002011-12-01T10:11:39.594-05:00Yes, exactly. I understand working holidays if you...Yes, exactly. I understand working holidays if you're treating patients or putting out fires ... or hell, even making package deliveries or working at a banquet hall or doing other things to make other people's lives a little better.<br /><br />But busting your ass every day of the entire year, including holidays and weekends, for (as you say, accurately) crap journal articles no one reads? Or lessons for apathetic students who will forget them as soon as they walk out the door?<br /><br />No thanks. My happiness is too important to me to spend one more moment obsessing and working around the clock for ... absolutely no purpose.JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04468758055878600762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-66108988783544614552011-11-30T10:32:17.019-05:002011-11-30T10:32:17.019-05:00Congrats, JC. The bringing work on holidays is esp...Congrats, JC. The bringing work on holidays is especially toxic. The best is that the culture of overwork simply supports...nothing. Crap journal articles no one will read or care about. This is what we worry about and work for round the clock? If you're truly passionate about your work, and love it, it's one thing. But even the former True Believers I know don't drink that KoolAid any more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com