About to finish my MA. What I've learned/discovered.

(I realize that for lots of people, it didn't take 6+ years of school to realize all this, but my experience getting it has been much different than I expected, and I'm not sure I personally would have "gotten it" without this tough slog.)

I've learned that I'm just beginning to learn how to think.

I've discovered my intellectual interests, finally, now that I'm about to graduate and move on.

I've discovered that PhD-level academia is not for me. I love it, and I love the people, but it's just not quite right for me. I'm not ashamed to say that to my peers and friends anymore.

I've learned, by becoming an instructor, how to become more thick-skinned. Being an instructor has also helped me discover how much I really like people, and how much I can learn from others, even those with much less life experience than me.

I've learned that a kind word from a person, especially a person with some knowledge and experience, means so much. I've realized that to many people, I am that person. And so I have an obligation to share kind words whenever appropriate.

I've learned that, for the most part, you can't control how people react to you. You can do your best, but it's impossible to please everyone, and not everyone is going to like you, no matter what you do. And that's okay. Furthermore, more people will love and appreciate you for who you are than will appreciate you for trying to appease them.

I've learned that some systems and some programs are meant to break you down to see whether or not you can make it.

I've learned that I can make it.

I've learned to embrace what makes me happy and not what "should" make me happy. Despite the extensive time I've spent in the university, what REALLY makes me happy is something I didn't have to go to school to learn. I realized tonight that what I want to do for a career doesn't have anything to do with what I've been so doggedly pursuing with a degree. I realized some time ago that my academic pursuits weren't enough. I learned finally to stop looking outside for fulfillment and to listen, really listen, to how I feel on the inside.

Tonight, for the first time in several years, and particularly since starting grad school, I have a little hope and inspiration.

But the thing is, had it not been for my MA, and the torturous experience of it, I'm not sure I would have learned all these things. Whether or not I "use" my MA in my career, I'll hang that sucker on my wall and look at it with pride as well as gratitude. It's well worth the student loans I'll be paying off.

Sorry if this post seems self-indulgent. "Think I'm just happy..." (KC)

Really, seriously, fantastic. That's a whole lot of learning that can't be measured. This one really struck home for me, as it's something I struggle with all the time:

"I've learned that, for the most part, you can't control how people react to you. You can do your best, but it's impossible to please everyone, and not everyone is going to like you, no matter what you do. And that's okay. Furthermore, more people will love and appreciate you for who you are than will appreciate you for trying to appease them."

Especially teaching, wanting to be liked. It's been a wonderful life lesson--a tough one, but so valuable, and ultimately very, very freeing.

Congratulations on your impending masterhood! (And your parenthetical opening statement is wrong - many people never learn what you've stated here...)

I will be proud, as I said, but it's not because I think an MA itself is something inherently valuable, but rather because I freaking made it. And however anyone else comes to realize these things (and all the things I have yet to learn) is equally commendable. It's not easy, whether it comes this way or another.

:applause: and how wonderful that you took the time to write down all the incredibly empowering insights you have gained through this experience. There's some good ju ju in that, trust me!! You will continue to pull postitive uplifting experiences toward you, by virtue of your awareness and gratitude. Well done, blonndee and much continued Success, Joy and Abundance to you!! :toast:

for the good wishes! :toast: I'm trudging into the unknown pretty soon, hoping my life lessons will serve me well.

Shine on.... :D

:applause:

:hi: (dunno if you remember or not, but we were classmates in Prof. Leitch's cultural studies class two years ago, which we figured out in one of the threads after the bombing incident last year.)

Anyway, congrats on finishing your MA, as well as on figuring out your intellectual interests, as well as on figuring out what you don't want to do.

I thought this was especially quoteworthy:

:bounce:

So have you any idea what's up next?

Yes, of course I remember you! We'll have to do a picture thread soon so I can put a face to what I remember of your ideas from the class. :)

As to what's next, believe it or not, I think I'm going to join the family construction business (how much more DIY can one get?) and just freelance write to satisfy that *other* need. Making and creating things with my hands seems to satisfy something inside me that nothing else can do.

There's certainly something to be said for working with your hands and actually being able to *see* what you've done at the end of the day. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it :) :toast:

'the paper chase' itself isn't for everyone, and i do agree; to pop out the backside with your center in a state of balance is worth the price of admission :thumbsup:

:hi: :bounce: :toast: :party: