Daily Newsie

I think everyone will be relieved to know that I decided not to drop out of graduate school — an option I was seriously considering yesterday after receiving my thesis prospectus fairly drenched in corrections from Dr. Nerd Crush. Not cool. See, I operate on the assumption that I rule at all times, so it was a punch in the gut to see just how much I don’t know about writing a thesis prospectus. DNC said I have a good start, but after mumbling darkly to myself for a while I decided that was the kind of throwaway compliment professors give to students who have no idea what they’re doing.

I called The Best Friend on my way back to the commuter parking garage and informed her I would be purchasing Jack’s Pumpkin Spice beer and cheesecake at the Kroger, consuming mass quantities of both, and possibly dropping out of school. She, like the best friend she is, approved the first two options and heartily vetoed the third — DNC wouldn’t give criticism if he didn’t think I could handle it, “a good start” means “a good start” even if the paper is practically oozing red ink, and I rule. (OK, so she didn’t say that last part in so many words, but I know she meant it.)

I bumped into DNC in the hall today and we chatted for a minute about my thesis. It really made me feel better at the time, even though now I can’t really remember anything he said. Point is, I’m still in graduate school, I’m still writing this thesis, and everything’s going to be all right. Actually, everything’s going to be better than all right, but I can’t share that little nugget of information quite yet. Soon, I promise!