My degree's going down the toilet!?

Question

I'm just not motivated enough to do anything about it. I'm in my third year. Don't really know what to do.

In my third year of 4 on a physics degree. There is no associates degree. I get a masters (MPhys) or nothing.

Answer 1

Can do better! Must try harder!

Answer 2

Good Lord. What a situation! I am sitting here typing to you inside a blizzard this evening in Maine, U.S.A., with the winds blowing outside my windows at 30 MPH, and here you are searching for motivation. I need to find motivation to shovel us out tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. so we have something in common. I think the same principles apply: if I shovel us out we can drive over to the restaurant for lunch. In other words, benefits: we get to eat and stay alive. I think you must begin to look down the line, here, and see some of the benefits to continuing your studies, no matter what. Also, think, for a moment about the alternatives. What is your alternative theatre? Probably not all that compelling, if I do not miss my guess, so it would seem your best position is to keep moving forward with your studies for the time being. You did not say whether or not you have just lost your wife or girlfriend. You did not indicate any other complications nor interests... which tells me you might be thinking of some other profession altogether, yes? Well, you could be a doctor or a veterinarian. You could be a businessman or a chef. You could drive a cab - but all of those choices have benefits. Physicists tend to be crabby and impatient. But they also are accurate. So strive for accuracy, if you cannot seem to strive for anything else. The one thing which does not have a benefit that I can see right off is sitting still wondering what on earth you are doing. I would have you keep up with your studies of physics WHILE you are contemplating your existential alternatives. Do you drive a car? You could drive out to the ocean and sit by the sea on your time away from studies to contemplate your lunch and your other possibilities. You would not have to ponder the future from inside a room, in other words. Have you crossed the half-way point? (In the length of time to getting your degree?) I am motivated because my life partner is 85 years old and I know HE will not be plying the shovel. He will be driving the car because I do not, at 63, have a driver's license yet. Talk about lack of motivation! So one soul helps the other one. Do you have someone you can talk further about all this? Because I will tell you why. In talking it out, you have introduced probably one of the best ways to find out what is important to you. By the way, what is important to you - ? Money? A cash flow you can call your own? Tenure? Certificates lined up in hardwood frames in your own office at the school where you will be teaching? (Have you thought of learning your subject so well you could teach it?) And we haven't even gotten to asking God to help you yet. What led you into this choice of physics in the first place? I mean, how exciting is physics? Here you are over here on this end of the teeter-totter, and what is on the other end balancing you? Now, that is real physics! If you can identify the other object in your life, the balance of the fulcrum, you will have balanced the equation and gotten an A in physics, too. I do not mean to make light of your conundrum. You may write to me if you like and we can have another go-round on all this, because I am sensing something is interferring with your capacity to concentrate on following through with your initial decision to master this subject. Perhaps further dialogue will help us find it once again. It is not a self-esteem issue. It is something else...

Answer 3

No, don't quit. Could you specify your college degree? If you're not motivated, the reason may be because you don't like what you're doing. Some more information would certainly help; if you're going to give up, at least strike a compromise and get an associates degree.

Answer 4

Get your act togeather BOY!!! Its not us your letting down its yourself and your children to come...... Get your head out your arze and get on with the job to hand i.e. getting your degree. Otherwise your gonna end up serving burgers at McDonalds like all the other losers in life!! Now move it..... Not everyone has the chance of a University education and here's you throwing it away...Go and give yourself a good kick up the but... It works. Give yourself a talking to and failing that take up Yoga or some Martial Arts it helps to focus the mind and stay out the bars Monday through Thursday!!!

Answer 5

Quit. I'm not sure what school you go to, but it doesn't sound legit.

You should be working towards a bachelors after 4 years. A real school wouldn't be AA or Masters at 4 years.

I thought about the Brit system, but by mentioning the AA, I think you're in the US system.

Answer 6

Get your butt into gear, you looser! there are many other kids who would have jumped at the chance of a degree, and you are throwing it away, sort yourself out, Don't Quit, Quitting is for Loosers! Be a WINNER, Good luck, you'll need it, for even with a degree you will find it hard to get a good job, without one, Impossible!

Answer 7

Go down the Job Centre, look at the dole queue and walk down the high street and look at the beggars. Think yourself lucky and don't give up the great opportunity you have. God Bless. x

Answer 8

Take a semester or two off. It took me years to finish, but I did. There are no rules just make sure you get out in time to keep your oldest credits valid. Talk to an adviser or trusted professor or TA.

Answer 9

wow, it is talking to a mirror.
I am in that awful void, thinking, what am I going to do now
Work hard, or be a clever fuckre like me
Just finish, and at least you won't have wasted all lthat moneu

Answer 10

There are tons of kids out there that would do anything to have the opportunity you have to go to school. You're being a bratt.

Answer 11

i have a son, i saw his degree down the toilet too!
any advice would be gratefully received!