Need support - comprehensive exams

I'm in the middle of my written exams right now and I just feel sick and stressed. First of all, part of my exam had to be rescheduled because the question hadn't been submitted and I had to find another professor submit the question and review the answer. Heck, I pretty much am going to need special permission to even have an oral exam (if I make that far) because one of the important members of my committee suddenly had to take medical leave and the only other professor who can fill that spot can't do it the day the oral exams were scheduled (and that date was extremely difficult to schedule with the original committee).

Not only that, but on my first part of the exam I was asked a question that was outside of the expertise my degree is in. Apparently, the head of my committee expected me to know literature outside of both our specialty areas? Unfortunately, it's in the specialty area of two people on my committee, so I'm probably going to be absolutely REAMED on my orals. I did the best I could and will do research to fill in the gaps before my oral exam but still...I'm not happy. At least with the other two questions, I answered them thoroughly and well, but still.

And on top of all of that, my boyfriend had to cancel his oral exams because he failed a portion of his written exams. He gets one chance to correct it and if it's still not right, he gets kicked out of school I guess? I'm so scared for him...he has so many past experiences of working so hard and yet still failing. I don't know if he's going to make it through another one.

I'm sorry all that bs happened. I hope you find the strength to continue those exams. Written exams have always been my least favorite to do and on top of all that I don't think I'd ever be able to do it. Stay strong. Happy health.

Just take on one thing at a time. It is very sweet of you to be concerned for your partner, but please put yourself first in this situation. if you take on his problem as well as your worries it may become to much for you. Stay strong!

I'm sorry for you and your boyfriend School, exams... they really put you down after a while, don't they?

I know it's too much for me, but I'm not sure how I wouldn't worry about it. Both of us applying for candidacy at the same time has been difficult for our relationship as it is. Both of us are so stressed and high strung and can only provide so much support for each other because we're both stretched so thin as it is. And intimacy isn't really happening because we don't really have time. We knew going into this semester that it would be difficult and it's not like the relationship is in trouble. It's just difficult. I just want us to both make it through this so we can relax a little bit.

I'm really sorry this happened to you. It's so unfair that someone leaving your committee created such a scheduling hassle

Getting a Ph.D. must be really hard...

I don't know anything about this, but I have to believe that unless you really screw up on your oral exam, you'll pass. Schools don't want people funking out if they can help it.

Well, my boyfriend did really mess up on his written exams and the professors don't seem to really like him there, so that's why I'm worried. He has one shot to fix the issue in order to be allowed to take the oral exam.

As for me, I finished my written exams a couple of days ago. I haven't heard that I've failed yet, so I can only assume that I passed. Although it's only been a couple of days and is already the weekend. My committee will probably not fully read my exam until Monday or Tuesday of next week. Still, there was only one question that was iffy and I can hopefully find time to do research and give a more thorough answer on my oral exam in less than a week.

I feel really burned out though. I'm tired of doing exams instead of what I actually came here to study. I'm supposed to be working on my final document while applying to jobs, taking comps, going to class, going to work, etc. etc. I don't have the time or the energy anymore.

Well, it's a DMA instead of a Ph.D. which just means more emphasis on creative/artistic activity rather than on standard research. So, I hesitate to say whether it's difficult or not since it's only a real doctorate in the US at this point in time (although it is considered equivalent to a Ph.D. with a different emphasis in the US). I didn't even realize it was possible to get a Ph.D. in my area until halfway through a DMA. Only a few universities offer it apparently and most of the faculty that teach in my area have the DMA rather than a Ph.D.

But anyway, I digress...it's not like the professor who took sick leave was intending to be that sick and didn't feel bad for having to bail at the last second. And she let me borrow several books out of her private library so I could better prepare for my exam. I just felt bad asking the only other professor in that area to take on extra work at the last second since I know how busy he is. He couldn't be on my committee in the first place because of how overcommitted he already was. The head of the graduate committee likes me so hopefully I'll be allowed to take the oral exam despite not having faculty from my minor area due to the circumstances.

Just as an update, both my boyfriend and I were admitted to candidacy, although barely...

Well, that's good, right? I knew you could both make it Be proud of yourself.

Congratulations to you and your boyfriend.

YAY!! Congratulations and give yourselves a big pat on the back, and I hope you had a few beers or glasses of wine this weekend...