Should Lori slow the **** down?

[Lorizael]

It has been my plan for some time to graduate Spring 2016 with a BS in Astronomy. When I originally planned to go back to school in 2012, I did not have a specific graduation date in mind. But since figuring out that I could actually do this ****ing school thing, my attitude has evolved to the point where I want to get this done as fast as ****ing possible. I just turned 30 and I want to have my goddamn degree. I can no longer tolerate being lazy and unmotivated, which has transformed into me wanting to get things done as quickly as possible for fear of reverting to an old state.

Anyway, this summer I figured out I could graduate in spring if I took 19 credits during the fall, 18 during the spring, and 4 during the winter. And that would mean I would get my degree in 4 years. Woo! So that's what I'm doing right now. And I'm also working ~30 hours a week. I have basically no free time. And this semester is ****ing hard. I am barely holding on. I will pass all my classes, probably, but I won't be sure how much I've actually learned, or what my GPA will be. And I am also tired all the tired. And I have no time. So tired and so little time that I've let this back injury persist for 5 weeks now. I keep canceling D&D sessions because I need to do homework. No time to relax.

And... it's hard to enjoy myself this way. I went back to school because I love learning and wanted to learn something in depth, instead of at a superficial level like I'd done for much of my life. But when I'm pushing myself this hard, the enjoyment is largely lost. And if that's the case, what's the ****ing point? I mean, it's not like my BS in Astronomy is going to get me a job. So I should at least ****ing enjoy it.

...

I am considering delaying graduation until Fall 2016. Take 12 credits this spring. Then I would only need 10 credits in the fall, but I would probably take 12 then, too, because learning is cool. If I do this, am I a gigantic lazy unmotivated failure giving up any chance of catching up with where I imagined I would end up, or am I remembering the actual reason I went back to school?

[loinburger]

No TV and no beer make Homer something something

[Lorizael]

DON'T MIND IF I DO!

[Elok]

Just slow the hell down and see a doctor before the back thing gets exacerbated into something chronic and/or permanent. It's not like the damn stars are going anywhere.

[Jon Miller]

I worked through undergrad (only 6-20 hours a week) and did Physics and Math in 4 years. I was a bit burnt out (also had personal issues galore, my dad died, and so on) and was not successful my second and third years of graduate school.

Now I take plenty of time for my wife and daughter.

I recommend living and loving life even if you love your work.

JM

[Jon Miller]

http://resources.alljobopenings.com/astronomy-majors

"People who graduate from an astronomy program earn a median salary of $62,000, and enjoy an extremely low unemployment rate. Generally speaking, salaries tend to rise as your career progresses, so your initial salary is likely to be much lower than the median."

However, you will be on the low side of that unless you start preparing a year at least before you graduate. Which means that for your career outlook it is better to slow down too, unless you know what you are going to be doing and have it all set up.

JM

[Lorizael]

I have no plans for what happens after I graduate. My original intention was to continue on to a PhD program, but the thought of several more years of schooling is not a pleasant one because (a) I'm already old and (b) managing to live and school at the same time is not easy. Additionally, the closer I get to a point where I think people might finally find out I'm not as smart as they think I am/I project myself to be, the more terrified I get. But that should really go in my depression thread, which I don't post in anymore because I'm ALL BETTER.

[Jon Miller]

If you have no plans then do not rush.

You are not going to be making a good salary during your PhD years (at least 5), but you shouldn't have to do non-academic work. If you never intend to have children then that sacrifice might not be significant for you.

JM

[Lorizael]

I don't need to make a lot of money. I just want to make enough not to have to worry about it all the time.

[Jon Miller]

A PhD program at a decent university should provide a ~2k a month salary.

Non-decent universities might have time when money isn't available but decent ones should always have money available.

Note that you still have to worry about money at that level, but it is better than subsistence. I had friends who had families or who sent significant money home.

JM

[SlowwHand]

[QUOTE=Lorizael;6440907[/QUOTE]
Whimper. Whine. Sniff. Sob.

Oh, your happy troubles. Put on your Big Boy Pants

[Lorizael]

A PhD program at a decent university should provide a ~2k a month salary.

Non-decent universities might have time when money isn't available but decent ones should always have money available.

Note that you still have to worry about money at that level, but it is better than subsistence. I had friends who had families or who sent significant money home.

JM

That's about what I was making before I transitioned from part-time school to full-time school. I'm fine making that amount of money as long as I'm also making progress toward my goals. Getting into a decent program, on the other hand... I have no idea if I can do that.

[pchang]

Time to slow down.

[Lorizael]

Yeah. In that case, my spring semester will be:

Astr 320 - Theoretical Astrophysics (the last required course in the astronomy sequence, covering gravity, gas dynamics, thermo/stat mech, atomic physics, and radiative processes)

Astr 480 - High Energy Astrophysics (the last 400-level astronomy elective I need, and we're gonna talk about black holes)

Phil 250 - Philosophy of Science (I think I already have all the credits for my philosophy minor, but this class is kind of the reason I wanted to do philosophy at UMD at all, and it hasn't been offered at a time I could take it until now)

Engl 255 - Literature of Science and Technology (not necessary for anything except getting to 120 credits and being right up my alley. The course description is: Examines science and technology through the lens of British and America literature, primarily between 1800 and the present. Readings from early natural and experimental philosophers of the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment. How literary works represent the ethics of science and technology; beneficial developments of science, and also heavy toll of industrialization. Writers studied may include Francis Bacon, Mary Shelley, Charles Darwin, H.G. Wells, Albert Einstein, Aldous Huxley, Richard Feynman, Philip K. Dick, Octavia Butler, Michael Frayn, and Tom Stoppard.)

During the fall I'll take... probably whatever 400-level astronomy courses they offer, plus maybe some more physics, and then whatever philosophy or anything else I find that's interesting.

[rah]

Always go with what's reasonable unless there's a good reason not to.
You've been doing well, so no reason to go crazy.
Especially if you want to enjoy the experience.

And it's always nice when you can slide in a good lit class.

I got one in on scify
and one that was entirely hobbit/LOR