Posted by Lindenblüte on November 17, 2006, at 8:24:46
In reply to Re: Postgraduate Study and Mental Illness?, posted by Jost on November 16, 2006, at 16:52:45
hi Tom,
People definitely go on to do post-graduate studies. I am a PhD candidate, and I have depression, and anxiety and a mixed bag of other goodies...Actually, being a student is perhaps a good occupation for someone who is struggling with these issues.
1) no one can fire you
2) expectations and deadlines are usually pretty obvious
3) lots of other people like you, and smart tolerant people besides
4) learning is a mental exercise and can keep your mind strong (just don't do too much heavy lifting!)
5) campus mental health resources
6) access to library, gym, computers,
7) social opportunitiesThe particular challenge is that you will have to learn to pace yourself, and not get in over your head. This may mean that you cannot pull all-nighters like other students. You should think strongly about whether it's absolutely necessary to take a full load every semester. In many graduate programs there is no minimum or maxium course load. Rather, the student has to figure out how to satisfy the requirements. Obviously, you should take the minimum courses available to fulfill your requirements.
I've found that I get more from taking 1 or 2 courses and really concentrating on them, then taking 4 courses and scrambling to get all my assignments in. Also, taking fewer classes gives you more freedom to attend guest lectures, lab meetings, grand rounds, conferences, colloquia, etc.
The sacrifice for all of this is that you must be willing to live in relative poverty and submit to having professors and others evaluate you regularly.
Let us know what you decide?
-Li
poster:Lindenblüte
thread:704192
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/studs/20060709/msgs/704495.html