Hello all:
I have found a few posts related to this, but haven't found much to help with my unique situation.
I am 5-6 months into my graduate program. It is mainly thesis-based, (with course requirements).
I spoke to a school counsellor for the first time ever today. I've noticed a change in my personality, sleeping patterns, participation in extracurriculars, etc. I am unhappy. I am stressed out. At first I attributed it to a transition from undergrad to the less structured graduate life. I thought I was simply becoming more mature and making "sacrifices" to further myself. I brushed it aside and told myself to rise above, to work harder.
It simply hasn't gotten better. I have lost a lot of the confidence and zeast I once had. It's hard to talk to other students because most of them joke about depression amongst graduate students and I feel that none of them are in the same boat I am.
I've been instructed to talk to a few advisors in my department, and will do so - it's just difficult cause many of them encouraged me to go into graduate research in the first place. They (and my supervisor) knew that I wanted to eventually pursue a medicine-related path, and some advisors even told me to "try it out, and in the worst case scenario - if you dislike it, leave" when I voiced my concerns and apprehensions after being offered a position and before accepting it myself. I have yet to talk to my actual supervisor, but plan to do so once I talk with a few others and get some further advice / comments.
I've been looking into podiatry for a while now, ever since my podiatrist told me (a second time) to consider it (he knew I wanted to go into medicine). What caught my attention were his pro-pod arguments and his genuine happiness with what he does. I am in contact with him now, with plans of shadowing. I've also made arrangements to write the MCAT (prior to this blowing up) and if I were to drop out of my current program, will have a lot more time to focus on this. If shadowing goes well, I am seriously considering applying to podiatry for the next cycle, starting early in Sept. My gpa as it stand currenty is should be above average for pod matriculants.
Now, I've considered the idea that I am simply just lazy and not wanting to complete this. But I did go into this with NO prior experience (was told to try it, I'd love it). I genuinely dislike going in daily, and completing my obligations. I, right now, do not see myself happily finishing this off in the 2-3 yrs which is the average duration of the program. However, I do not wish to give up so easily. I do not wish to let all those who thought I could do this (including my supervisor) down. I do not wish to do something that will hurt my chances to pursue other acedmic routes down the road. Thoughts? Tips? Comments?
Thanks!
I have found a few posts related to this, but haven't found much to help with my unique situation.
I am 5-6 months into my graduate program. It is mainly thesis-based, (with course requirements).
I spoke to a school counsellor for the first time ever today. I've noticed a change in my personality, sleeping patterns, participation in extracurriculars, etc. I am unhappy. I am stressed out. At first I attributed it to a transition from undergrad to the less structured graduate life. I thought I was simply becoming more mature and making "sacrifices" to further myself. I brushed it aside and told myself to rise above, to work harder.
It simply hasn't gotten better. I have lost a lot of the confidence and zeast I once had. It's hard to talk to other students because most of them joke about depression amongst graduate students and I feel that none of them are in the same boat I am.
I've been instructed to talk to a few advisors in my department, and will do so - it's just difficult cause many of them encouraged me to go into graduate research in the first place. They (and my supervisor) knew that I wanted to eventually pursue a medicine-related path, and some advisors even told me to "try it out, and in the worst case scenario - if you dislike it, leave" when I voiced my concerns and apprehensions after being offered a position and before accepting it myself. I have yet to talk to my actual supervisor, but plan to do so once I talk with a few others and get some further advice / comments.
I've been looking into podiatry for a while now, ever since my podiatrist told me (a second time) to consider it (he knew I wanted to go into medicine). What caught my attention were his pro-pod arguments and his genuine happiness with what he does. I am in contact with him now, with plans of shadowing. I've also made arrangements to write the MCAT (prior to this blowing up) and if I were to drop out of my current program, will have a lot more time to focus on this. If shadowing goes well, I am seriously considering applying to podiatry for the next cycle, starting early in Sept. My gpa as it stand currenty is should be above average for pod matriculants.
Now, I've considered the idea that I am simply just lazy and not wanting to complete this. But I did go into this with NO prior experience (was told to try it, I'd love it). I genuinely dislike going in daily, and completing my obligations. I, right now, do not see myself happily finishing this off in the 2-3 yrs which is the average duration of the program. However, I do not wish to give up so easily. I do not wish to let all those who thought I could do this (including my supervisor) down. I do not wish to do something that will hurt my chances to pursue other acedmic routes down the road. Thoughts? Tips? Comments?
Thanks!
