I am trying to avoid a full on melt-down. My second reader, a professor I highly respect, returned my thesis with her suggestions. More like total revisions. She's given me about another month's worth of solid, everyday-in-the-library research to do, that somehow I have to smash into two weeks, and keep on top of all the grading and TAing I have for my two classes.
My adviser and my second reader are totally opposite art historians. A formalist and a feminist. Therefore when my adviser told me I was done, ready to defend by March 13th, I hadn't considered what my second reader was going to say. Which was basically: "Your argument needs serious augmentation, serious revision, and is actually a bit boring. Oh yeah, and research this, this, this and this. Even though you don't know very much about those things. And I'm going out of town for a week and won't be able to help you. And you won't pass your defense without making these changes."
This ruins several plans.
And makes me stressed to the max.
And I'm already emotional (remember how I'm pregnant?).
Didn't see this one coming.
Ugh, so sorry. Sounds like an awful combination. If I were closer I'd make you a treat and make you take a nap while I did something helpful.
ReplyDeleteHOLY COW. I'm sure that you'll do as much as you can. I'll be praying for you and sending good vibes your way. Are you sure that you have to make these revisions, or are they more suggestions of things that need to be looked at/mildly addressed?
ReplyDeleteYikes. It's difficult when you have two completely different types of art historians to work with on your committee.
You can always give me a call. I was in a similiar situation once many, may years ago.
ReplyDeleteSorry about this. A curve ball like this just sucks.
I'm here for you Shelley. Any time! Just call or email! I returned a whole stack of papers to my students and am feeling footloose (at least for a little while!).
ReplyDeleteThe exact same thing happened to me, except in opposite order :) and I had to pay another semester of tuition! I literally cried for a month (that made the holidays super fun) and I dread working on it b/c it was perfect in my mind before my second reader got his hands on it. The new research has sucked the passion out and feels forced (because it is!!)- it is awful but I guess that's what they do to us. CRUEL
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!!!!
I'm sorry Shelley.. I love you and I hope that I can help you... I'm sorry. Feel better my beloved sister.
ReplyDelete