Masters/ PhD candidates out there, how's your life going on as a graduate student?

Do you feel your graduate study is a lonely journey?

Sometimes I kinda feel left out. While most of my friends are busy with their own working life, career, planning to buy properties and getting married, I'm still conducting research and writing my thesis and there's uncertainty I got to face after grad school. It can be overwhelming sometimes.

Yes, it is a lonely journey and that's what I like about it. I don't have to attend any compulsory classes too.

I don't think there is any uncertainty after grad school. There will be abundant of opportunities waiting for all of us.

No need to attend classes is great and it gives me more flexibility.

It's awkward when I'm around with friends cos they tend to talk what's going on with their working life.

Sometimes I just can't help but to feel left out.

I'm not sure about the abundant opportunities ahead of us. Will there be a tenure track position or we might end up having a temporary/unstable job after grad school.

Personally for me, I don't feel so lonely. Maybe because I have friends that continue their study in the same batch as me, or maybe I live near them, so I can always see them. Regarding about working friends, yeah they do talk about their working life, but not all the time. I guess I have some sort of understanding friends

Regarding life planning, yes I do feel that as well. But it is the path we already took, and it is a different one for us. Instead of being left out, why don't we think that at least we can contribute to society in our own way. Their lifestyle and planning might differ, but this is just a journey, not the destination yet. Until we reach that place, never give up.

And hey, wearing lab coat and getting my name cited always float my boat

I have friends who pursue post grad as well but some of them left their study halfway. I guess they didn't have the real interested to further study at the 1st place. I also know some of post grad students but we never bring the friendship outside of the uni.

No doubt that making a contribution makes me feel good. But living in a society that measure success in terms of tangible stuff such as properties and monies, I can't help but to feel I don't really achieve anything so far as compared to my other friends. I know we can't compare but as a normal individual, sometimes we might do so. Though, I never regret going to grad school - it's an experience that not all people willing to take.

My field doesn't require me to wear a lab coat or working in a lab

i just finish my masters n currently waiting for my convocation this coming may.
yeah.. it was kinda hectic days i must say. but again i always think of all this in a positive way. left out yes. but its for our own good. dont let other stuff demotivates u man. just finish ur study.

Who knows, some of newly found friends are gold
Nevermind, at least, in years to come, long after we're gone, people still gonna cite our name (depending on studies )

And some things aren't meant to be compared. Just be happy with what you have, and give your best in everything. BTW I'm just started my master last sem, this is my second one. Hopefully I will have the strength to make it through

Congratulations.

It demotivates me in some way but not to the point I will quit.

The strength to get through is from your own motivation and a little bit of support from others as well.

Yes I do agree. But now kinda lazy to dissect my sample

Just do it for the sake of "contribution to the society"

too late packing stuffs now
achieve my limit for today. lab is super cold

At least you got a lab to go.

ur doing research or just study eh? curious

full research that only need to go to the field to collect data

You're doing population dynamics izit?

No. But related to org training and development

I see now why you feel left out. If you're working in a lab then it should feel like normal work life, except with very low pay.

That's one of the reason for sure.

Continue postgraduate study is really a lonely journey especially when you are doing ur phd study contribute knowledge deeply into niche area. Glad to meet people that have same feeling like me here

My field trip only lasted for several months only. That means the rest of the time spent doing it alone at home, library, etc

And I always try to avoid the questions like what I do currently and when i can grad. It's funny to see other's reaction when I said "I'm not sure when I can grad".