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I change my mind about what I want to pursue after I get a BA, right? I'm still quite interested in Irish history/studies, but there is just way too much stuff I want to learn about Ancient Greece. OK, so was it that Persia was the friend of the tyrant, or is Persia just the friend of whatever government was already in place (per Cyrus' previous policies) and just tried to use that to their advantage? Was the Ionian revolt against Persia or against Greek tyrants? Did Herodotus over emphasize the Ionian revolt as being against Persia, when in reality it was against tyranny? Why was Sparta so against this form of government? Was Greece against Persia because Persia was allegedly the friend or tyrants or was it because they invaded the mainland? Everyone, except Athens, seemed not all that concerned about Persia until Marathon.
How far along are you towards your BA? I thought you were fairly close to completing it. I would say yes, you have to study something that interests you. To me history is a labor of love, I study it because I love it and historical characters and actions fascinate me.
No, I'm only about 1/3 of the way there. I'll probably change my mind a few more times too, haven't taken anything yet in Roman, Medieval, or US history. Thinking of dropping my minor so I can take more history courses, but I'll worry about that later.
The best advice I can give is to decide what you really want to study and go for it with the caveat that you should not let momentary enthusiasms carry you off. You may end up deciding that Greek history is for you but you may also decide that some other area of history is where you want to concentrate. I did not decide I wanted to concentrate on 18th and 19th century Prussia until I was within a few classes of finishing my BA. I did know I wanted to study European history just not which area. The biggest thing with your BA is that it must complement whatever area you choose to study later, you really narrow it down during your MA.
Ski, sounds like you're having fun in all your classes. That's how I am…there is too much history, so little time to learn. And funny about what Scout said in his last sentence…I'm supposed to be narrowing down my area, and I'm finding it hard to do so. However, I have a better idea than I did a year ago.
My only regret is starting so late. With an UG degree I'm not really thinking career change yet. When or if I go for a graduate degree is when I'll start thinking about that. Pretty sure I'll stay in the European realm of history, just where and what period is the question.
You say your problem is you don't know which area to concentrate in. I have the opposite problem. I am 3 classes from my MA and burned out on school. I have done 100+ hours of coursework in the last three years and am heartily sick of schoolwork. It does not help that 4 of my last five classes are on subjects I cant stand and I despise my classmates for being a bunch of mindless drones who merely regurgitate the professor's material back at him. I am so close to being done I can touch it but I am ready to throw my hands up and start reading sci-fi again. I am taking a two month break this summer, my first since I started back to school, and I hope it rejuvenates me. I cant wait to get school behind me. If I pursue a PhD, it will be a few years. I have an idea for a business I want to try out first.
I'm not making light of your situation, but I think it's interesting to hear your story since it's somewhat the opposite of mine. I have really enjoyed my classes and am very thankful that I am able to participate in them. In fact, I can't wait to get on the other end of the table and teach these kinds of classes that I am now taking…as well as others in my future area of specialty. I am hoping to get into a phd program right after getting my Masters and I would like to finish that degree sooner, rather than later. All the classes I have taken at my current level (aside from my present independent study) have been seminars, so they naturally demand a lot of participation. I have reached a point in life that I feel I can participate effectively and add more to the discussion than I would have been able to had I entered the program right out of college. One thing - it sounds like I am not taking as many classes at a time like you are, so that may be a big reason why I am having a different type of experience. I have heard of burnout occurring after studying too many years without a break, so realize it does happen.
I think my main problem right now is that I dont like either the subjects I am taking nor the people I am taking them with. I think my next class will be more of the same since it is the history of the Enlightenment and a required course. But I am going to suck it up and drive on because two more classes and I can concentrate on my thesis, which does interest me.I too, look forward to teaching and that is one of the things that keeps me going. Mostly, I am just ready to be done with school though, so I can study what I want instead of what someone else tells me too. I want to narrow my historical focus and stop shotgun-blasting it.
I was pleasantly surprised that my current course ends this weekend (I thought it was May 3) and now I have a week off before the other class begins.I need the week off too because it has been stressful putting the pieces together to determine that it was the American Left who treacherously flashed the shield signal at Marathon!
I need the week off too because it has been stressful putting the pieces together to determine that it was the American Left who treacherously flashed the shield signal at Marathon!
???What does that mean?
and yet another change. Just changed minors from Middle Eastern Studies to European Studies. The courses sound more interesting. After all, why wouldn't someone with an interest in the Classics not want to take Ancient Western Philosophy? (and, besides, that sounds too difficult to take as just an elective! 😮 )(all I hope now is that there won't be any change in school itself. Work is getting a little iffy. Hopefully the money I have aside for school is going to remain for school and not have to be used for stuff like a mortgage or bills. Maybe I should have studied 'the everyday life of a Spartan' a little more. ;D)
I remember when you first wanted Middle Eastern studies. Didn't you originally have something different before that? I suppose that it's only naturally to feel your way around and see what you like. I didn't pick a major in college until maybe my sophomore year, or was it junior year?
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