I’m about to go to bed. I moved to NYC thinking it would change my life. That things would be exciting. That I would finally get away from Madison, where the few things I did were eat out and go to movies.
Now I live in NY. And I eat out. Movies are no longer a part of my life. So I guess it’s been a net loss! Funny how I fooled myself.
Oh, and no one told me life as an assistant prof would be so much harder than life as a grad student. I’m not complaining. Life so far is actually better. But it’s more work. I wish I’d known.
6 Comments
I tell students regularly that they should appreciate how much time they have now, because it’s only going to get worse. But I always start by saying: “I know you won’t believe what I’m about to tell you”, because I doubt that they do.
Yeah, but that stuff people say about how it gets better after tenure is also true, sort of. Not necessarily less busy, but more equanimity to the business.
Tenure seems so far away that it’s like a mythical land inhabited by pixies. I have had an odd (and perhaps related) revelation this morning. I like my work. I like doing it. And given how much time I seem to avoid it at times you would think that this weren’t the case. In fact I’d say I’m happier working than not working. But for a sizable chunk of hours I work pretty hard at not working (which means making myself less happy). Nothing too dramatic. This is not a call for help. But interesting. I should go see a psychoanalyst. Could be interesting! Or, anyone on here know their Freud?
going to see an analyst–now that’s a part of the New York experience!
It IS more work — but you feel more in control, or at least I do. I was so excited to finish grad school so I could stop writing these carefully crafted emails to my committee asking-but-not-really-asking-if-I-was-ready-but-not-really-ready-to-maybe-just-possibly-maybe-think-about-scheduling-a-defense-at-a-date-that-is-convenitent-for-you-of-course. Sigh.
And yes — pixie land. I hope to visit it someday.
Your first year is especially tough compared to being a grad student. Your second year is “easier” but no less busy - monumentally busy, in fact.