AskLG

Upon entering grad school, I was under the facade that most things will be the same as my undergraduate work. Yeah, I’d learn things faster. Yeah, it’d be harder. Overall though, the same environment (aka FUN!). I truly enjoyed undergraduate studies, but grad school is so different. Let me explain with some simple Pro’s and Con’s.

Pros:

• Learn a vast number of topics at a rapid pace
• Hang out with truly intelligent people
• Learn about things I never ever thought I’d be learning about
• Eventually I’d get more respect and salary in the work place (with a PhD)
• I’d end with a sense of hard work and accomplishment
• Incredible Gym. I seriously love that place.

Cons:

• Learning a ton of old, insignificant material I’ll never use
• Not learning too much material I can use in the real world (depends on prof though)
• I learn in a different manor than these profs teach, so sometimes I end up teaching myself all of the material.
• Grading Scale is insane. Getting a B can and will screw you over.  A B+ isn’t much better.
• Have no life (or very little of one)
• Have no money (or very little money)
• Have to live at home and bum off your parents (part of that whole no money shindig)
• Nonstop worrying about if you’re going to be kicked out, or if you’re good enough, or if you can pull off a miracle, or random thoughts of that nature
• Have no time for yourself.  I seriously have issues finding time to blog everyday.  I end up doing it when I’m falling asleep at night which makes for mediocre posts.
• School is just not fun anymore, so my heart isn’t into it.

Also, let me explain a little bit about my personality.  Maybe it’ll help you get me. I love to learn and I’ll always be learning even if I’m not in school.  I’m also not those stereotypical computer guys who become hermits at the age of 30.  I enjoy going out with friends.  I’d like to think I’m quite social.  A little shy at times, but social nonetheless.  I like to push myself to new limits.  I want to see what I can do, what I’m made of.  Kinda like the Army, except without the bullets, death, and searing heat in Iraq.  I really enjoy solving problems.  If you give me a problem and sincerely are wondering about the answer, I’ll work (and work.. and work) until I give you a solution.  It might not be the best or most efficient, but it’ll work.  After its functional, those other things will come.  Also, I love the web.  I coin myself as a web enthusiast, but thats such a relative term.  I just enjoy that whole social, web 2.0, cool web-based application, type schema thats going on right now.  Its addicting.  Finally, I love sports and music.  Just side hobbies I guess, but I’m a gym rat and always have some hot new track playing.  Thats William in a small, confined nutshell.
So with the semester coming to a close, I must decide soon if I should stay in the beloved world of academia or move on into the work force and try to make a difference in people’s lives (my goal in life). This is one of those tough decisions that can either make you or haunt you for the rest of your life. So friends, family, and random people I’ve never met (but equally as cool of course), contact me with some insight or opinions on this situation.  The more input I get, I figure the better decision I can make.  Thanks a ton everyone.  I love you all (and appreciate the advice!).

Sidebar: Justin just got Twitter so now the AskLG-ites and immediate friends hanging out on twitter include:
Kara, Eloy, Justin, David, and me.

Who’s next on Twitter? I’m not sure, but I’m hoping its you.  So get an account and add me. Go ahead.. I’m waiting…

Tags: David, eloy, grad, graduate, Justin, kara, school, twitter, will life

This entry was posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008 at 9:38 pm and is filed under William. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.