Quote:
Originally Posted by ClearSky
I can totally relate to your situation because guess what, I nearly did the same thing. The first masters program I completed 2 years of required coursework but my student teaching component was stymied by my advisor who was, for lack of a better word, a horses behind, in that he refused to sign-off on the form that would have allowed me to student teach. He was mad at me for going to administration to complain about him, so he refused to sign. The academic dean of my program told me I would regret leaving before she made her decision. Well, hindsight is 20/20. I do regret it because I spent these past 3 years in the same masters program at a different university, hoping for a different outcome. Well I'll graduate with a masters degree finally but after wasting 3 extra years repeating the same coursework. Pretty dumb.
Don't quit your post-doc program if you're only 2 classes and your thesis. Yes, you're miserable because you are burnt out. Post-doc work is not a fun existence which is why most people either drop out early. At least you were smart enough the second time to do a completely different subject, which isn't what I did. You will feel so much better about yourself if you see this grad program through to the end.
I know it's hard to be away from your family and friends who are your support system too. Maybe you could take a semester off to go back home for 3 months. Spend that time with your family and friends who (if you have good relationships with them) will act as a temporary respite away from the stress of grad school. Or if that's not possible for you financially, then try to include some exercise time into your schedule. Whatever it may be. 5 minutes of walking each day, or whatever. Physical activity raises the body's Dopamine levels which improves the mood.
|
Thanks. To clarify, it's not a post-doc, I only have a bachelor's degree. I am in a PhD program, which has the option of getting a MA. I did switch to a different program, though it was somewhat related to my previous one. Actually, I was just sick for a few weeks (still am a little) and managed to get so far behind in my current classes, that I will have to drop one, maybe two of them. So that adds to the work I would have for next year. Also, I'm already active with regular yoga classes and sometimes running (it's been too cold to run outside lately).
When I first posted, i was an emotional, anxious mess. But since then I've decided to take a leave of absence from my program and feel so much calmer. I could come back after a semester, but I really doubt I will. I just don't care about what I'm studying- it's great for people who want to go into academia, but I've learned that I do not. I want to help people. I thought about pushing through just for that degree, but why delay doing what I want to do and find fulfilling for over a year? The degree will probably not help me get any more money.