Buzz.

I have been a decidedly busy bee lately - work has required many grant application submissions, overtime, boyfriend is back in town, and I just submitted my application to a doctoral program here in San Diego.

My big complaint lately is the state of higher education in this country. In short, my thesis adviser is too busy to work with me, I don't make enough money to pay for the schooling I've had thus far (a sad state when I went to school to make money) and yet, here I go again with the continuing of education.

To me, school is like an addiction. That next "high" will always be better and "fix" my situation. Don't make enough money - take another hit. Need to delay those loan repayments? Hit me again. Feeling insecure about where to go in life? GIMME A HIT of GRADUATE SCHOOL.

My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering graduate school is don't go unless you know, at least to a reasonable degree, what you want to do. You can't use it to fill a void, though it does feel pretty good to get that expensive piece of paper.


Now, if only I'd heed my own advice and stop pursuing advanced degrees, and just settle for my lot in life, sometimes I feel like I'd be better off. I will continue to chase the dream though, contrary to my feelings about higher education.