On Aging
I feel old. At MCGrads last night, I realized that entering grad students were sophomores in high school when I finished college. I remember also, when I started grad school, how it was rather difficult to say much to “old” grad students… not so much intimidation, just that I didn’t really have much to say. “Wow, six years is a long time to be here.” “Really? It doesn’t seem like it, somehow.” And it doesn’t, until I think back to the details of those six years. Or realize that 22% of my life has now been spent here (25% by the time I’m done). Or look around the department and realize how many of the people I entered with have left, one way or another. And I was very grateful to certain “old-timers” who made me feel welcome right from the start.
