Spring "Break"
We received an email from the MAPH mentors about how it's a joke that Spring Break is called "week 12" around the MAPH office, because it's less of a break and more of a continuation of the winter quarter. It was recommended that we spend about 4 hours a day on our thesis and take two to three days to ourselves.
So that is how I spent the beginning of my spring break, at the library, working on my thesis. I actually participated in a "write-in" that was being hosted in the library. It was for graduate students to work on their theses or dissertations for four hours for two days with coffee and snacks provided. The idea is that it is inspiring and you are more productive when you know everyone around you is hard at work on their paper and also the commitment of at least four hours a day. I went the first day and hated/loved it. They put us in a room within a room, meaning no windows and blank, white walls. It was also a bit crammed and nearly silent (except the typing). The snack they offered was pretzels, so that was fun listening to people chew on those. Could they have picked a noisier snack?? I loved it though once I got into the groove of writing and it felt great putting in the four hours. The next day though I chose to sit in Mansueto, a section of the library that is a glass dome so you can SEE OUTSIDE. I put in four hours there and was actually surprised at how many people were there. Not as many as a typical school day but still more than I was expecting.
Overall, before Patrick arrived I put in just under 20 hours and even managed to meet with my preceptor and go over my most recent draft. I was super, duper pleased with her feedback because it was really positive and helpful. She even said I was a teeny tiny bit ahead of the game, surprising because it's the quarter system and this program is quick. This meant I could enjoy my time with Patrick, but alas, I am no longer ahead because the new quarter has begun and new thesis deadlines have arrived and I am feeling behind all over again. Nice while it lasted!
So that is how I spent the beginning of my spring break, at the library, working on my thesis. I actually participated in a "write-in" that was being hosted in the library. It was for graduate students to work on their theses or dissertations for four hours for two days with coffee and snacks provided. The idea is that it is inspiring and you are more productive when you know everyone around you is hard at work on their paper and also the commitment of at least four hours a day. I went the first day and hated/loved it. They put us in a room within a room, meaning no windows and blank, white walls. It was also a bit crammed and nearly silent (except the typing). The snack they offered was pretzels, so that was fun listening to people chew on those. Could they have picked a noisier snack?? I loved it though once I got into the groove of writing and it felt great putting in the four hours. The next day though I chose to sit in Mansueto, a section of the library that is a glass dome so you can SEE OUTSIDE. I put in four hours there and was actually surprised at how many people were there. Not as many as a typical school day but still more than I was expecting.
Overall, before Patrick arrived I put in just under 20 hours and even managed to meet with my preceptor and go over my most recent draft. I was super, duper pleased with her feedback because it was really positive and helpful. She even said I was a teeny tiny bit ahead of the game, surprising because it's the quarter system and this program is quick. This meant I could enjoy my time with Patrick, but alas, I am no longer ahead because the new quarter has begun and new thesis deadlines have arrived and I am feeling behind all over again. Nice while it lasted!
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