Does School Tear Your Relationships Apart?

This has been an awful trend in my life. I'll be in a healthy, long-term and thriving relationship, one that I could see lasting endlessly. Then, a graduation comes around and it is time for me to get my next degree. This has happened twice already: after junior high graduation and after high school graduation. Now, it seems like it is happening a third time, as I pursue my MFA. Part of me says that I should think about my professional health and education. Another part of me says I should hold onto this relationship and postpone graduate school. I'm stranded in this all too familiar predicament. Obviously, in the past, I've chosen education over relationship. I don't believe that I regret those decisions. Now, the third time around, for once, I'm honestly considering keeping this person around by postponing my educational life. In all honesty, a year or two away from academia may do me some good. But what will I do and where will I work during that time? I have an English degree and little to no work experience--who in their right mind would hire me for anything?

In short, has anyone else out there in blogland been in this messy situation before? how did you handle it?

The Neurotic Writer

We've all heard this phrase before, "the neurotic writer." The saying goes that neurotic people make great writers because they see the world from an odd perspective. I, for one, am somewhat neurotic. Recent issues at home, this application process, and my social life are all bringing out this neurotic side to my personality. What is this going change in my writing? Is there some truth to the saying?

Thoughts?

GRE test

I just took the pointless test last night. How'd I do? Let's just say that I'm glad that I'm not applying for any other degree. Okay, I scored averagely (or close) on both sections, whoop-dee-doo! I'm glad to have that inaccurate little thing out of my way.

Theater and the MFA

I never considered myself to be an actor. In fact, it would be a stretch to even say that I was intrigued by theater, playwriting, etc. But, as of lately, I've been immersed in the theater scene at the University of Chicago. I've seen 4 plays this month. I've been working on a scene from Ma Rainey's Black Bottom with three classmates; for this reason, I bow to all serious actors: remembering lines, actions, cues, and all that other stuff is more difficult than I anticipated. Several times I said "this is bullshit" during practice, yesterday.

Yet, through this, I've gained a new perspective on theater. Today, we had our big scene performance. To say it went well is an understatement. My teacher told me that I have a career in theater should I focus.

Maybe, theater is a potential endeavor for me. Not in acting, but in playwriting.

What Theater MFA's do you all like and why?

U of Texas-Austin

Oh, yeah! I'm tackling the beast just like everyone else. Moments ago, I submitted my online application. This is a huge moment me. Hell, this type of moment would be a major one for anyone applying to any school, any program. This is the moment when you announce your devotion to the application process. It is official, says the -$50 from my checking account:

I am a prospective MFA candidate!

That felt darn good to say. But it also felt forces me to open my eyes a bit wider. In less than a year, if I'm lucky, I will be in an entirely new city and new community, meeting and greeting with fellow artists day in and out. I'll be searching for new places to kill time, all the while practicing time management. With all of my might, I trying to keep this post from becoming one big 'ole epiphany blurb. On that note, I should end here. :)

Good Luck to everyone out there,

-T. L. Robertson

GRE

To say that I'm annoyed because I have to take this GRE is an understatement. (Livid is an overstatement.) A friend of mine let me borrow his books from when he took the test some two or three years ago. I flipped through it yesterday night at around 2am. One thought: where in the hell do they find these words? A second thought: This can't possibly tell anyone if I'm a talented writer or not. All of those GRE-requiring programs out there need to take a page from Brown and Iowa; the GRE should not be required for MFA applicants, case closed. Sure, I understand that it usually isn't the CW department whose responsible for this requirement. I also understand that universities may use these scores to influence your financial aid packets. But, darn, is there a better way?

The MFA

Is anyone else out there feeling the pressure? With all of those iddy-biddy acceptance rates dancing across every school website I visit, I cannot be the only one who is a little intimidated. Come on, 3%....7%......11%! Are you kidding me? Ivy League undergrad admissions have nothing on these selectivity rates. Now that I think about, I need to honestly sit back a device a second back-up plan just in case things don't flow so smoothly come March madness (not the B-ballin season).