Squinting

How hard must I squint to see the light at the end of the tunnel?


This week has been incredibly difficult. I feel like everything is perpetual, and that nothing at all will end. As I complete one thing, two more assignments, readings, committees, issues or meetings pop up. I realized yesterday that I still have 3 months of course work...I hope I have the strength to maintain.

As I reflect back on the last two years, I realize that this time of year is always busy. My job has me at work late and on weekends; I accustomed to it, I guess, or at least I should be by now. So what's different? Initially I thought it was the 9 credits I'm taking...then I realized I've had 9 credits every fall since beginning my doctoral program. So what's different?

I think about the number of doctoral students who have completed their course work but fail to complete their dissertation...I wonder why that is? Is it the need for some sort of separation from academics, is it a need for personal time that has been lost, is it disinterest in the subject/topic, or is it complete burn out?

I hope I can figure out where there is a difference so that I may address it.