Happenings// This was a full week! In addition to midterms, research, and readathoning, I’ve finally decided what I’m going to do re: graduate school applications. While I would prefer to apply to schools all over the country, I must also consider my hubby’s career, and he currently works for a geographically limited institution. So, I will be applying to only one PhD program this year. Fortunately, this happens to be the same university where I interviewed last year, so I’m hoping second time is the charm.
Submitted// a couple of abstracts to the Southeastern Psychological Association to present research posters at the 2016 annual conference: one with the health psychology lab and one based on my thesis data. Here’s hoping those get accepted, but since the conference is in New Orleans this year, I’ll be going regardless!
Progressing// on my thesis. The last couple of months I’ve struggled with physical illness and writer’s block, and I’ve had to push back my graduation a couple of times now because I haven’t been able to put cogent thoughts on paper. But something clicked this week and I’m getting going again. It may not be 100% complete by the end of the month, but it’ll be mostly done. And that will be a huge load off!
I also managed to get a couple of blog posts drafted this week! (The writer’s block also affected my ability to write reviews…) It feels really good to be back in the groove!!!
Reading// Because of school, I didn’t get to read much during the week. I’m still working on Packing For Mars by Mary Roach. I wanted to use Dewey’s readathon to finish it, but didn’t quite make it. I discovered two things about myself during the readathon: I am better at binge reading fiction; and reading about astronauts and space barf when you’re queasy is a really bad idea.
Listening// to the Harry Potter series read by Stephen Frey. I finished HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban Friday night as a readathon appetizer, and got through about 160 pages of listening to HP and the Goblet of Fire throughout Saturday. I absolutely adore listening to Frey read these books. Not only does he have a fantastic voice for narrating, his character voices are on point!
It feels good to have a good week! How was yours, readers?
Good luck with your application! I’m just applying to one program, too. I can’t tell if that makes it more or less stressful 😉
Thanks, Shannon! And you,too! My mentors have suggested applying to between 8-15 schools. I can’t even find that many programs to which I actually want to apply! Right now, the thought of one school is less stressful because, if I’m not accepted, I will try one more time. However, I can guarantee my stress level with exponentially increase after I’ve sent the application! I don’t like the waiting game!!!
BTW – if you don’t mind my asking, to what type of program are you applying?
I would go crazy applying to so many – that’s insane!
I’m applying for a PhD in Special Education and Disability Policy. It’s the department I’m working in right now (actually, the current part of my project is in Psych – can you come as far as VCU? 😉 so I’m hoping things will go pretty smoothly. Still so much to plan out and be nervous over!
Ooooo, a psych project!!! Unfortunately, I’m tied to the Gulf Coast for the present, but I’m always happy to consult! 😉
Sounds like our section of the blogosphere is brimming with aspiring PhDs! I agree with Shaina, we’ll have to cheer each other on!!
8-15?! Just the thought of that makes me want to crawl into a hole.
Yea. I submitted six last year, and I wanted to pull my hair out.
What a great week indeed! It made me smile to see you getting back on the writing horse and being so excited about it. I’ve been dealing with some writer’s block both on the blog and for my own graduate school apps. Part of that was the terror of the GRE, and I’m hoping that, now that it’s behind me, the words and thoughts will start flowing again.
When is your application due?! We can cheer each other on! 🙂
Oh, the GRE! I hate that blasted test, and it makes me ill thinking I’ve got to continue paying them if I want my scores released for applications! Here’s hoping the words come flowing back to you!!! My application is due December 15. How about yours? I’m definitely down for some inter-blog cheerleading!!!! 🙂
hahahaha yeah the space barf section is brutal!
I wonder if I need to try picking up HP again, but the audiobook this time. Maybe I’ll have C join in now that she’s older (for the first few books, at least).
If you want to try the audiobook, I highly recommend the Stephen Frey versions!!!!!