8.28.24
Well, I guess it’s about time for the annual blog post on here. The past year has been extraordinarily quiet in many regards, but nevertheless, I reached some important milestones: I completed my second comprehensive exam (with the distinction of “High Pass” that I didn’t know existed…), co-taught with a professor, and prepped for my own class. I also went through the publication process for the first time, and am excited to share that my manuscript has been accepted for publication, hopefully forthcoming at the end of 2024.
On another note, I am finally starting to feel like a “real adult.” It doesn’t matter what anyone says, your 20s are a trying time and we’re all finding our own ways; I have grown so much over the past few years, and turning 25 was a welcome change. Young enough to keep up and still feel “socially relevant,” yet old enough to trust my gut and decision-making. While I’ve loved learning and have never doubted for a second that pursuing graduate school was the right decision, in hindsight, I would have waited a few years, perhaps starting the PhD program right about now. Starting the PhD early has made me feel “rooted” to this commitment until I finish, which will have wiped out most of my 20s. However, it is also freeing to know that I will have the rest of my life ahead of me, should I want to settle down, have a family, travel, etc.
As for what this year holds for me, teaching is the biggest elephant in the room. It’s certainly daunting walking in a room of 100 students and trying to establish authority and build rapport at the same time. On the plus side, I’m teaching about my favorite subject: sociology of gender, so that gives me hope. I don’t know if it’s my last year in Albany or not, but I hope to finish hiking the ADKs, do a ton of fishing, skiing, and camping, and gear up for the dissertation.
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