Projects and projections
So I’m 2/3rds of the way through this semester and it’s going strangely well. I’ve been on three teams, completed three projects, and received three A’s. The same is true for the three papers I’ve had graded. Somehow though, it’s feeling a bit hollow.
First off, part of it is that this is graduate school, so grades really don’t matter so much. No one cares about your GPA for your second or third degree. Secondly, I get the impression that grades are somewhat inflated. I have asked around a bit and I some papers and projects have been given B’s, but only a few, and I think they were mostly the first efforts.
Tough problem to have, eh? Well I guess it’s just a bit disappointing in that I feel like I could be doing better work if I had more motivation, but if I can get the highest grade without working as hard as possible, why should I bother?
Maybe the lesson I should be learning here is that you get out of graduate school what you put into it, or something similarly wholesome. But you know, I’m just immature enough that I can get my head around grades not mattering.  I like the reassurance from decent grades that lets me know I’m on the right track, but that doesn’t work if I know grades are inflated.
Well I’m trying to look on the good side of things. I’m learning a great deal, even if it’s not with the amount of pain I was expecting. I’m also still trying to push things up a notch to some extent. I put much more effort into my last paper than any of the earlier ones, so if it’s possible to get an A+ I’m hoping I’ll do just that.  But I think in general I’m just trying to take on board as much as I can while cultivating other interests in life, and obviously keeping up with my drinking.
So while this has all been happening, I’ve been keeping up on my music, though it hasn’t been the same either. For instance, I’m really liking the new Maximo Park CD but it doesn’t mean what it would have a couple of years ago. It’s not that the lyrics or the songs aren’t as good - on the contrary they’re better than ever. It’s just that a number of the tracks are about heart break and unquited love, and I’m not there right now. Despite my whining about various topics, things are actually pretty good right about now.
Yes, it’s true - I really like songs that are tragic. They’re of great comfort when I’m going through a tragic time of life, but at times such as these when things are good, I do miss the resonance they have at other times.
Again, this is column is about tough problems - A’s when I don’t deserve them, and not being able to relate to tragic songs as much as I was once able. Tough life, eh?
May 21st, 2007 at 1:54 am
i’d have to say, i dont understand how you can type so well for being a drunk guy. Or how the punctuation is so correct, i understand there is such thing as spell check….but im pretty sure a guy so drunk to create a website about it wouldnt decide to use it. my mind is boggled at the moment
May 21st, 2007 at 7:04 am
If I’m at the point where I can’t correctly punctuate, what I’m writing isn’t worth the effort.
May 24th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Well, you know, if you’re cynical about grad school, you’ll do just fine in Academia. But what’s the point?
(Sure, academia is probably the best refuge for a smart drunk, but it’s much more fun for a passionate smart drunk)
What’s your joy?
Btw, great domain name. At the very least, that should be quite a score!
May 25th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Well I’m passing through academia, working on a degree that will get me another job in industry, as opposed to being in grad school with the intention of trying to become a professor. And to be honeset, in sober moments I’m not so cynical about graduate school, or at least not about the one I’m attending. I’m learning a great deal, and if I can get over the fact that grades mean pretty much nothing, I’ll be much happier.
May 29th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I just wanted to say that I’m drunk! Completly drunk…
May 31st, 2007 at 9:52 am
Well, join the club. Another drunk who can type - should I ever need to retire, I need not worry about finding a replacement.
June 1st, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Sometimes when I’m drunk I hit the wrong keys…..
June 14th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Its hard to be coherent when drunk. so props to you that you can do so. if fear that my comment will not be coherent, because of said drunkness, but thats ok.
so i am in grad school too. i have nothing to look foward to at night except for tv and said drunkeness. as it is, i have to tape the tv shows to actually be able to watch them, because during said drunkness, i dont really actually understand whats going on, even though im watching, huh?
despite all this, i understand what you mean by inflated grades. i feel like no one does any effort, but by doing nothing, gets A’s. its pathetic. and we’re the professionals of tomorrow? i too am a graduate student, but i feel like no one is trying, and everyone is just going through the motions.
in a way, its just scary.
anyway, im too drunk to even be able to type. you should email me if you want to know more.
~Laura
June 20th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! gweqwszyaubad
October 6th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Hey pal, good luck on the grades issue. I must say, as being one who hasnt developed enough to even GO to college… the more for YOU!. Graduate school and all!! huray!!.. I cant even add 9 + 5 and get an answer that is the same three times.!!.. so, deal with it. Man! if i had the guts and the knowledge to get as far as grad school.. hell, I wouldnt have to peddle my ass on second street so hard!!! good luck my friend!!!
January 31st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
First of all, great domain name. It’s probably been said before, but again, GREAT! Keep it. Anyway, I’m in grad school too. Some PhD in some intellectual subject that only intellectuals can decipher. Scary huh? We’re the leaders of tomorrow… Yea, if you’re lucky. Chances are, the leaders of tomorrow are the unremarkable kiss asses sitting next to you in your management class. Even more scary right? Not really. The world is led by unremarkables. If only those of us self imposed intellectuals could get it together to do something about it… Why bother. No one understands us anyway.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Well for those of you in grad school, I think it is ok that everyone is going through the motions, considering your in grad school you have already done the hard part, now you are just getting another piece of paper that our society thinks has some value. When really it just says you wasted some time and money to look better, kind of like a boob job. Anyway what do I know. have a nice life