Peachy Academic

Trying to move past settling for just peachy: A Grad Student's Journal | 23 | Chicago

[activistpeach]

09.21.22

i know they say enjoy Chicago’s sun while it lasts. but goddamn it’s been sweltering. it makes campus look absolutely stunning though, so maybe that makes up for it

[activistpeach]

How did I get here? Pre-MAPSS thoughts.

I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to document my thoughts in the form of a blog during my time at UChicago. While my blogging skills are abysmal, and my thought process as scattered as ever, giving this a shot seemed like a good idea. We shall however see how long I stick to this in a disciplined manner. 

I don’t know how helpful this will be to people, nor what kind of information I want to put up here, but I’ll just take it as it comes. I remember how when I first got acquainted with MAPSS, my attending it didn’t seem like a possibility at the time. I went the common route of a referral from the PhD program, and when I received the acceptance I was: confused. Not because I got it, since I knew that there was a high likelihood of my being accepted, but rather exactly how I would move forward since this wasn’t in the cards, atleast in my head. I immediately got into the task of finding out more about the course, what it entailed and was overwhelmingly hit with multiple accounts of how intensive it is, it being a cash cow program and the apparently minimal attention that is given to MAPSS students at the University. While these accounts made me apprehensive at first, I came to realise that these things could be dealt with through my own initiative if I so chose. The cash cow argument became quite tiring and repetitive after a bit. The course is very expensive, I will admit, but being offered a substantial aid package, made the prospect of attending much easier. On how intensive the course is, the faculty themselves had no qualms about informing us repeatedly that it will be a very tough and busy year, but I come from a position where I actually welcome that intensity. I enjoy academic rigour, and work a lot better in academic environments. I know I’ll probably work myself to the bone because my ability to maintain a work-life balance is absolute sh!t, but I’m hoping my awareness of it will allow me to discipline myself better. 

Discipline, discipline, discipline. I think that’s key to surviving the program. 9 months are going to pass by in a blink, and that is as exciting as it is daunting. Just the thought of being in Chicago, and being surrounded by so many people with whom I can share ideas and engage in meaningful conversation with, makes undertaking this a bit more worth it in my head. And let’s be real, its the University of Chicago *faints*.  I still have a few months before the start of classes, and lots of work to do in between now and then. Let’s hope I can stay on top of my feet (for this blog and in life as well)! 

PS. The chance to experience the food and culture in Chicago makes it all the better. Maybe I can include bits of pieces of my experiences here as well since it will all be very new to me. I don’t think I want to make this a very formal blog, but we will have to see. Thanks for reading this far, typos and everything.