Peachy Academic

09.21.22

i know they say enjoy Chicago’s sun while it lasts. but goddamn it’s been sweltering. it makes campus look absolutely stunning though, so maybe that makes up for it

I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to document my thoughts in the form of a blog during my time at UChicago. While my blogging skills are abysmal, and my thought process as scattered as ever, giving this a shot seemed like a good idea. We shall however see how long I stick to this in a disciplined manner. 

I don’t know how helpful this will be to people, nor what kind of information I want to put up here, but I’ll just take it as it comes. I remember how when I first got acquainted with MAPSS, my attending it didn’t seem like a possibility at the time. I went the common route of a referral from the PhD program, and when I received the acceptance I was: confused. Not because I got it, since I knew that there was a high likelihood of my being accepted, but rather exactly how I would move forward since this wasn’t in the cards, atleast in my head. I immediately got into the task of finding out more about the course, what it entailed and was overwhelmingly hit with multiple accounts of how intensive it is, it being a cash cow program and the apparently minimal attention that is given to MAPSS students at the University. While these accounts made me apprehensive at first, I came to realise that these things could be dealt with through my own initiative if I so chose. The cash cow argument became quite tiring and repetitive after a bit. The course is very expensive, I will admit, but being offered a substantial aid package, made the prospect of attending much easier. On how intensive the course is, the faculty themselves had no qualms about informing us repeatedly that it will be a very tough and busy year, but I come from a position where I actually welcome that intensity. I enjoy academic rigour, and work a lot better in academic environments. I know I’ll probably work myself to the bone because my ability to maintain a work-life balance is absolute sh!t, but I’m hoping my awareness of it will allow me to discipline myself better. 

Discipline, discipline, discipline. I think that’s key to surviving the program. 9 months are going to pass by in a blink, and that is as exciting as it is daunting. Just the thought of being in Chicago, and being surrounded by so many people with whom I can share ideas and engage in meaningful conversation with, makes undertaking this a bit more worth it in my head. And let’s be real, its the University of Chicago *faints*.  I still have a few months before the start of classes, and lots of work to do in between now and then. Let’s hope I can stay on top of my feet (for this blog and in life as well)!