My Mistakes, vol.1

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Jack Tracey, Apr 1, 2004.

Loading...
  1. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Over the course of the past year it has become increasingly (and painfully) clear to me that I have made a mistake. This mistake was in regards to my enrollment in the Social Work PhD program at the University of the Free State in South Africa. Here's the breakdown:
    5) I underestimated the degree of difficulty. Partly this is due to being out of shape, academically, and partly it is due to a lack of full appreciation of the quantum leap involved in doctoral study. In this regard I have true respect for anyone who successfully navigates this course.
    4) I overestimated my ability to put in the time required for such study. My original estimate was idealized and clearly unrealistic as it did not sufficiently take into consideration the impact of my sequestered studies on my wife and daughter. BTW, I missed them too. So much, in fact, that my productivity suffered.
    3) I overestimated my ability to work in almost total isolation. Obviously there are those who thrive with the independence and flexibility of DL. I seem to do better with more contact, and more structure. Live and learn? We'll see.
    2) I will be moving to Connecticut in the the next several weeks in order to take advantage of a real estate/business opportunity. Whatever time I had to dedicate to my studies will now evaporate as I am faced with developing (with my wife) a new small business that can potentially increase my income over 100% (something a PhD would never accomplish).
    1) Passion. My true interest was in the area of Philosophy. My whole impetus for exploring the prospect of DL was to obtain a Philosophy degree. Unable to do that (for reasons to be delineated elsewhere) I "settled" for a PhD program in Social Work. I thought I could tweak the program sufficiently to make it work but . . . I guess not.
    I've laid this out for two main reasons. The second is that maybe this will help some other person in their own decision-making process. The first is that I just wanted to be honest in this forum. I will not sail under false colors
    So . . . I am disappointed yet relieved. I tell myself, It's not a wasted year, it's a learning experience. :mad:
    In all of this I would like to say that I've had a very positive experience with the faculty and staff at UOVS. I found them helpful, interested and committed to high academic standards. I would continue to recommend this school to anyone so disposed. My plans for the future include moving into a 180 year old home in Connecticut and building a comercial horse boarding stable. My future academic pursuits will be limited to the study of Philosophy and may well require the acquisition of a second Bachelors degree. The University of London is currently the top candidate program but there are other contenders that require further exploration.
    Jack
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2004
  2. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Dear Jack,

    I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and the blessings of God in your new ventures.

    I am sure Connecticut's gain will be Massachusetts' loss.

    Jimmy








     
  3. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Sorry that things didn't work out with Free State, but it's refreshing to see such honesty.

    Best of luck in your future business and educational endeavors!
     
  4. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    I've laid this out for two main reasons. The second is that maybe this will help some other person in their own decision-making process. The first is that I just wanted to be honest in this forum. I will not sail under false colors
    So . . . I am disappointed yet relieved.
    Jack [/B][/QUOTE]
    ===


    Jack

    We all wish you the best. Thanks for your excellent advice and solid integrity.

    I can appreciate the difficulty of going from MA to PhD. IMO in regard to Theology , that difficulty is one reason why many US Theology schools require the bridges of the MDiv/ThM. These provide a better foundation than just the MA. That leap you mention would seem particularly difficult were the doc a research degree.

    I really am sorry that you did not find a suitable doc in Philosophy to pursue. In my case I flopped out of an EdD once because it simply was not a subject that motivated me toward completion. If the degree is done for personal satisfaction , as is mine, and not for financial gain, then I think only a high level of enthusiasm for the subject will drive one onward.

    Your family and your economic future require your full attention. They are more important now.

    BTW, Danny left Iraq last night and will be home after debriefing at Ft Lewis. Sorry his letter to you was so downbeat. Thanks for your interest in him.

    All the best,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2004
  5. cehi

    cehi New Member

    Jack,

    I appreciate your genuine and honest expressions about the new choices that you have made for yourself. I support anything a man can do to make his family happy. I totally agree with you that...."nothing is wasted, it is a learning experience."

    I wish you and your family well in the new journey that you have began. Like an old saying back home in Nigeria, "more grease to your elbow"...meaning may you continue to shine in all that you seek to do. Good luck and God blessings to you and your family.
     
  6. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    A fellow named David Steinberg (?) wrote a book twenty five years ago called "How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation". It's still in print, I think.

    Anyway, he states that, based on his experience as a PhD candidate counselor, the only reason for getting the degree that will sustain the student is an intense interest in the field coupled with a consuming desire to teach and do research in the academy.

    He ALSO said that MAs, let alone BAs, are completely unequipped to undertake doctoral work and that the demands of the dissertation process come as a complete bombshell to most of them.

    Finally, he said that the rate of noncompletion is much higher than anyone will admit and that there is no shame in ending the effort once it becomes clear that the student just isn't sufficiently motivated, for whatever reason, to devote his entire life to the degree for two to five years.

    It might well be merely compounding the "mistake" not to admit the truth to oneself. Besides, it really isn't a "mistake". You learned a LOT, I'm sure.
     
  7. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    Hi, Jack. I've read your posts with interest for a long time, not least because we share an interest in philosophy.

    I also sympathize with your situation. I've been going through a personal crisis myself the last few years, that led me to admit to myself that I will probably never earn a doctorate in my lifetime. What's more, I discovered that I didn't even really want to.

    But it's not easy to let go of a lifetime dream that's become part of one's self-image. Perhaps that's a lesson the accumulating years teach.

    It can be liberating. If you aren't confined to a degree program you can read what you want to read and you are free to follow your own interests wherever they lead you, even if it's irrelevant to your dissertation project.

    There are countless educational opportunities remaining out there: There are individual classes for you to take, both DL and in classrooms. There are books and journals for you to read. There are special-interest organizations that invite your participation.

    Those kind of opportunities only multiply when accreditation and degree utility cease to be overriding considerations.

    And you needn't shut the door with absolute finality on your doctoral hopes either. They are something that you might decide to revisit later if circumstances change. The option remains.
     
  8. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    Jack, best wishes and good luck!
     
  9. Charles

    Charles New Member

    Jack,

    Best wishes to you and your family.
     
  10. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Good luck Jack. Sounds like a wonderful move to a beautiful area. As the old saying goes, there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse. Good luck with the stables and that dream. You're still going to post here aren't you?
     
  11. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    As someone who has put it down, only to pick it up again much later, time will tell. I'm glad you made the decision, Jack, instead of letting circumstances overwhelm you. Good move.

    The book Nosborne refers to is "How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation" by David Sternberg. It is still in print. While it was written more than 20 years ago, the lessons are quite relevant today, as Nosborne so aptly illustrates. Highly recommended reading. :)
     
  12. GUNSMOKE

    GUNSMOKE New Member

    Best of luck,

    and all of God's blessings to you and your family.

    Every one makes mistakes, the test of a man is if he learns anything from them?

    I know you are probably thinking "what a waste," but don't beat yourself up for the decision you have made,time will show that it was the right thing to do.

    Most of all, keep faith in yourself, stay :cool: reflect and refocus, after all

    LIFE IS WAY WAY TOO SHORT AND WAY TOO PRECIOUS TO SPEND IT BEING MISERABLE!

    Please keep us posted on your progress!

    :cool:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2004
  13. RKanarek

    RKanarek Member

    Dear Mr. Tracey:

    As someone who relies upon you to keep him informed of SA current events, I may have ulterior motives for wanting you to stay enrolled in your doctoral studies. <g> Still, I'd like to believe I have your best interests at heart.

    Can't you pursue your PhD at a lesser pace? You'll be surprised how much you'll forget, and how quickly you'll forget it, if you just abandon your studies! While you hope for a substantial increase in your income, note that it would take an increase of only a few (single digit) percent to make your SA studies essentially free.

    Come on now! Take a few deep breaths, play a quick game of fetch with your daughter, kiss the dog, and get back to your research!

    Cordially,
    Richard Kanarek
     
  14. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Hi Richard - Thanks for your encouragement :rolleyes: :cool:
    My situation is this: Because I continue to be interested in Philosophy I continue to be interested in DL. My problem was that I don't have enough formal coursework to be accepted into a grad program in Philosophy (that's why I switched fields of study - I didn't want to bother to earn another Bachelors degree) Now, however, I may be more interested in that possibility. It'll be less demanding academically, more structured and I can do it course by course as I'm able to afford the time. Besides, I'm really more interested in the subject area. So then you begin to ask yourself, "Where are the Bachelors degree programs in Philosophy?" There aren't many (even if you search the entire world). One prime candidate is the University of London. However, as cost continues to be a big factor for me, I just can't ignore UNISA. Obviously this could allow for continued news updates from ZA so there's still a chance your interests could be satisfied.
    ;)
    Jack
     
  15. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    Jack:

    Since you already have a bachelors, why not look at a masters, which do exist, one inparticular that allows the philosophy (sp?) (or at least close) is the CSUDH HUX program.
     
  16. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Yes, I will consider Masters programs. However, the Bachelors courses are more fun. The program at CSUDH is really a Humanities program that allows a concentration in Philosophy (or several other alternatives). When you dig into the actual course offerings, the number (and variety) of Philosophy courses available are really quite small. While I will not cross it off my list I also will not place it at the top (yet). Thanks for the suggestion.
    Jack
     
  17. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Hey Jack,

    I'd still like to buy you a cup of coffee (or a drink) before you flee the People's Republic of Massachusetts. :D
     
  18. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    At least he didn't offer to buy you a donut!
     
  19. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Is MA still also referred to as Taxachusetts?
     
  20. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    That's really funny. I've never heard a donut joke before. :rolleyes:
     

Share This Page