I am going to start this entry the same way I have started many many entries in the past. I have been talking about how I want to blog more often, about how I have a lot going on, but then I don’t keep up to date. Here is my update. I have elected to update today for several reasons. First, because some exciting stuff is going on in the world of Stefanie, and second because I am sitting in my office at school with NOTHING to do. I have attempted to be more organized this semester and apparently it’s working because I have literally done everything that needs to be done this week. So I waste time here on wordpress, and tell you my exciting news.
I defended my thesis on Tuesday, and I PASSED!! My paper has been written now for a few weeks, I turned it in to a committee of professors who read it, and I gave a presentation on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the most important parts. Presentation went really well. My dad and my grandma came…aww… as well as a few other grad students and of course my committee. I condenced 100pgs of my thesis into a 45 minute presentation and pretty much nailed it, aside from talking too fast and getting a little too exited with my hand motions, but that’s to be expected. Do you know me? haha
Anyway, did the presentation, answered a few questions, and then I met with my committee to talk about presentation and my overall thesis. All 3 professors agreed that they could tell that I busted ass (my words, not their’s) and that I had a great project. Then they proceeded to tell me that I could collect more data, add some new comparisons, create some tables and visuals of my data, and that these things would make it a really great project…This is when I got a little nervous. After the group of us talked, I left so that the committee could talk amongst themselves. I was only outside for like 5 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity! They called me back in and told me I passed! Worst case scenario, they could have said that my project was not up to snuff and I would have to totally change it and may not be able to graduate in May. But I passed! My advisor even bought a bottle of sparkling apple cider to celebrate and gave me a big hug. It was cool to see her so excited for me, she has really pushed me hard over the last couple of months. Before I’m 100% finished, I am going to clean up a few things here and there just to make my thought process a little more clear. Then I can submit it to the school of graduate studies so they can make sure I formatted everything correctly. After that, I am D-O-N-E! I fully expect that I am going to turn in my final final draft within the next month and then I won’t have to worry about it any more!
This is all very exciting!! However, with no more thesis to worry about, now I am wondering what to do with myself. I am still a TA so I’ll have some copies to make, some grading to do, and piddly things here and there, but my academic carreer is almost over and I’m not sure what I think about it. I do have lots to do and lots to think about. I have updated my resume, now I need to start the jobsearch and hopefully make some headway on the “big girl job” situation so I’m not high and dry come the end of the semester. I’m thinking about all of these things, but they are considerably less stressful than finishing my thesis has been. I have been so ready for so long to do something new and different and I finally have enough room to breathe and make those things happen. I’m remaining entirely optimistic, but it’s just a little wierd. I will be graduating. FINALLY!
Other than that, I am getting ready for the Midwest Sociological Society conference in Minneapolis MN coming up at the end of March. I am going to present a chunk of my thesis there. I have no idea how I’m getting there or how I’m going to pay for it, but I’m going so that’s exciting too. Things are moving right along and I am in this new, content place. This is good, but I have been so stressed out for so long that, again, I’m not sure what to do with myself. I’m sure I’ll figure out something. I always do.
So there you have it. I can now put an MA after my name. I feel so important! haha. I don’t have the piece of paper yet, but it’s all but finalized. I’ll definately keep everyone posted as graduation nears. So what should I talk about next? Shall I brief you on the results of my study?
