How Much is Too Much?
Hi r/gradschool, long time lurker, first time poster.
First year PhD student in a social science, urban area. Our funding is terrible, so was initially in a hole in the wall apartment until a week ago, when I found out my place was infested by rats. property managers offered me another place which I just moved into that unbeknownst to me is adjacent to a nightclub. Ear plugs don't cancel the bass. I bought noise cancelling headphones but they won't be here until Tuesday.
I'm exhausted and barely keeping up in classes. One class is particularly demanding and we have a major assignment due tomorrow that is technically not graded, but I am extremely disappointed in my work and ashamed to even turn it in.
And last but not least, I came back from unsuccessful studying about an hour ago, and somebody stole my bike. Apparently the shitty bike rack at the apartment complex is easily broken apart.
I really love my chosen field and am typically good at it (4.0 last semester, profs like me, etc.) but I just want to curl up and die. Sleep deprivation is my #1 depression trigger, so nothing seems worth it right now.
So r/gradschool, how much is too much? When is the tipping point for being too tired to function and sending a withdrawal notice to the university? Some small part of me wants to stay, but the past month or so (when I started hearing scratching noises in the walls) i have been constantly thinking about quitting. Thanks in advance for any advice or commiserating.
Posted Feb 21, 2016, 8:46 PM UTC