I am a grad student and TA in a math dept, a couple of months ago the dept moved me into this 6ft by 5ft office 3 floors underground with no window(of course). at first i would have to rush out every 60mins for some air, i would find it impossible to live with the persistent electric hum down there. but today i suddenly realized: i earn less than the lowest paid staff, most people even argue that i do not work at all, dont contribute to society which makes me a parasite, i spend approx 16 hrs a day in a 6by5 room and leave with a sense of having stolen from the world at 2am every night, and i sleep on the floor (i refuse to buy old furniture). my overall worth is negative, because people think i am actually cheating society by asking for free tuition. i think i have sunk to the lowest level of existence. the question is: is it possible to ever rise again? or is this my fate.
2006-12-03 11:17:48 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
You're WAY too hard on yourself! It sounds to me like you're just making do with what you have for the moment. Grad school is only a transition to something beyond, hopefully a career in teaching or research or some other thing you like.
I didn't work (outside the college) when I was a grad student, and I never felt bad about it! I was pissed that they didn't pay me MORE for teaching my prof's discussion groups, grading papers and filling in on lectures for over 300 kids! It's not YOU who is a parasite, but, if anyone, the professors, who, once they get tenure, kick back and get paid pretty well for teaching 1-2 courses. Most of 'em try to avoid undergrads completely! YOU make that possible...so congratulate yourself and vow that one day...YOU will get your due!
And if that doesn't suit you, do what the guy in "Office Space" did and just tell them all to stuff it! Go off on an adventure to Nepal. Hang out in Greenwich Village and write.
Ye gods! Whatever you do...HAVE SOME FUN!!! You're still young and unencumbered by a spouse, kids, mortgage and so on. Do what you want!
Oh...as for the free tuition...if you were in China? As a math grad student? You'd get it, NO QUESTION! Only in this country, where math is seen as some kind of aberration, does the government refuse to reward people whose talent it hopes to tap one day for its own purposes!
We should ALL get free tuition if we have the grades. This educational system is insane...but YOU are not!
2006-12-03 11:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by SieglindeDieNibelunge 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Things are going to get better. First of all make sure that tiny little room is very clean and only has what is necessary (as little clutter as possible). Put a big poster on the wall somewhere of the outdoors- a waterfall, flowers, the desert, wide open spaces. Get a small fan and run it to drown out the humming- that humming drives me crazy, too. You must have a comfortable place to sleep. So even if it is on the floor be sure you have pillows and blankets to make it soft enough to be conducive to a good nights sleep. Grad students are supposed to suffer some. It's good for you in the long run. It makes you appreciate your education and it makes you keep a certain amount of humility when dealing with the students you will come into contact with. Get over feeling like a parasite, your not! You are bettering yourself. Parasites are those that are getting a handout with no intention of ever giving back to society, no intentions of ever becoming independent. Grad school is your fate for now but not forever. Best wishes!
2006-12-03 12:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by Gwag 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will certainly rise again. I don't think you've fallen as low as you think... you're getting an education, you're a teaching assistant, which is definitely making a significant contribution to society. The underground office sucks... but don't look at it as a metaphor for your soul, but rather cost cutting on the part of the university. Fate is what we make of it by exercising free will, but if it is your fate (for now) I can think of worse ones than getting a free education which will ultimately define your future in a positive way. Good luck, and try to look on the bright side.
2006-12-03 11:26:09 · answer #3 · answered by opifan64 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If people thought free tuition was "cheating society", they wouldn't offer it.
Your attitude is your only problem. Try explaining to your boss that your office won't work as you are claustrophobic as a starter.
You are working toward an advanced degree, which is something most people never dream of, so that you can add even more to society. You're just looking at it all wrong.
2006-12-03 11:23:42 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fate is what and how you make it. You make your own destiny. Of course, you can still make it as long as you are alive and do not succumb to the complexities of life.
2006-12-03 11:48:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's never your fate. You can quit the job and try to find another one if you really hate this job.
2006-12-03 11:19:32 · answer #6 · answered by SCSA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as fate: only will...
2006-12-03 11:22:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can rise again.
2006-12-03 11:20:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋