[wolfie205]

I'm in my last year of my degree and trying to decide what to do after graduation. I'm not sure if this happens in the US as well, but I'll be graduating with just a Bachelor's degree and Honours is an additional year that I can take. I'm pretty academic, like studying, I know how weird that sounds, don't judge me. I really want to do honours but I'm not sure if I should.

Well, I don't know if I'm being paranoid because everyone tells me I'm being paranoid but it feels so real so I'm pretty sure that there is at least some truth to it. I feel like all my lecturers are out to get me, like they don't like me and they keep spreading horrible stuff around about me. And I have actually heard stuff being said about me... I think no matter how well I do, they'll just think I'm a nerd. I actually thought one of my lecturers was directing a comment at me. Something about how smart people can't work with people and can't communicate. I seriously thought she was talking about me because I'm a total introvert. I do make efforts to communicate and talk to people though, I'm just not as extroverted as other people. I want to try applying for honours, but I keep thinking its a waste of my time because all my lecturers can't stand me and I probably won't be able to find a supervisor. Either that or I'll find one and they just won't care. I'm thinking of applying to other places but I know everybody is pretty connected and most of my lecturers either studied or worked at the other schools as well. I don't want people to have a bad impression of me before I even apply to another place. What should I do? Should I just give up and not do my honours?

[Leed]

Hi dear Wolfie ~ Even IF people are talking, who gives a darn??? Let the stupid jerks talk. The people that talk like that are JEALOUS!!

I want you to go ahead and do the Honours!! And I KNOW you will do just fine! It doesn't matter if you're introverted, as long as you're HAPPY that way. If you're NOt happy that way, then perhaps you need to talk to your school counselor, or see a therapist. But it sounds like you're working at being more extroverted and you're talking to more people. That's good!

But right now, go ahead and do Honours!! You deserve it -- and you should do it! If you get a "supervisor" who acts like he doesn't care, CALL HIM on it. Say to him "Why don't you care?" "What's the matter with ME? Why do you treat ME differently?" Let him KNOW that you KNOW he's treating you badly!!! Don't let him get away with it. I know it will be hard for you to do, but you cannot let someone like that WALK ALL OVER YOU! You are JUST as deserving as anyone else to take Honours, right? Therefore, you should NOT be treated any differently. And if you ARE -- someone better be told about it.

Never give up when it comes to your education because of someone else. That's just plain giving someone else your power. Never give your power to anyone else!!! Hold your head up, and pursue your education the best you can! God bless Wolfie, and keep us posted, ok? Hugs, Lee

[k12573n]

I agree with the above! Don't pass up the chance to further your education, when it is so important to you, just because those around you make you uncomfortable or self-conscious about it. You are smart, dedicated, and deserve the chance to advance in your studies.

I think you should interact with your lecturers more, get to know them and help them to know you better. Have a working relationship with them if possible. If they know you more as a person and vice versa, your "paranoia" --whether delusional or not--will begin to dissipate and you will have less anxiety about the whole honours process, I believe.

Stick with it!

-K