May 20, 2008
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Decision 2008, or '09... when?
Yesterday, I was starting to feel overwhelmed, so I sat down and made up a list of all the projects and ideas and tasks my brain has generated in the last week that I'd like to do. Usually seeing all that written down puts them in perspective and allows me to tackle them one at a time and be productive.
It didn't help, though - the list was wildly long and out of control and kept growing. No shortage of ideas and projects in progress here.
One thing I did decide, though, is that I'm tired of spinning my wheels and chickening out, putting off anything resembling 'real life' until some nebulous future. Right now is my real life - it doesn't start when I lose weight or move to San Antonio or whatever else may happen... or may not happen.
So I decided to apply to grad school to finally get my MA in Literature. That will allow me to teach at high school or community college level and give me the connections and groundwork needed to go on to a PhD if I want later on. If I'm accepted and everything goes smoothly, I'll start in January 2009.
So starting all that paperwork is on the list of things to do. Along with continuing to build a Filemaker database to track my bird observations, working on a couple of projects for WASH, several handmade book ideas, getting ready for upcoming camping trips, cleaning out the basement, various other studying and writing ideas...
See? The list never ends.
Comments (4)
Hey that's a great idea! Congratulations.
I know how those lists can become huge. I get overwhelmed sometimes to the point I can't get ANY of it done. Sometimes I even have to put "make a list" on my list. Maybe a data base of projects is something I need to do, you gave me a great idea with the Filemaker. --Making note to put it on my list.
i used to have the same problem, so now what i do is write a very short, attainable list each day. and at the bottom, write two "bonus to-dos" -- kind of like extra credit -- if i get the top accomplished. that builds confidence for me.
hey, congrats on deciding to pursue your MA in Lit. good luck in your pursuit of that!!!
yay on applying for your MA....why don't you go all the way now and do the PhD now?? About the list....I do a huge list then break it down into weeks and even days sometimes...then if needed depending on how busy a day is I'll break it down into hours....and even though I usually don't stick to what hours it gets done...I see that its managable and its my choice when it gets done.
@DaddysgirlRobby - There are 2 main reasons that I can't go straight to the PhD. 1) there's not a program conveniently located. There's one in DC and one in Charlottesville and more further away. 2) to get into a PhD program, I'd need a 2-3 academic references. I've been out of school and out of the loop so long that I don't have the connections anymore. But doing the master's at GMU now will give me connections to get the references later if I decide to.
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