Learning in the lab
Perhaps we students applying for universities all suffer from the obsession — checking for email boxes a plenty of times a day. Not hearing from XC these days, I read all the emails again from the professors I contacted. Here's part of Da's.
I think it's perfectly reasonable at your stage in life to not know exactly what drives you and what your ideal career would be— I certainly didn't. It's a good time to starting thinking though, and at some point (around when you get your Ph.D.) you will need to make a choice.
Every time I read this sentence, I am curious about Da's experiences. Fortunately, his personal website tells part of that, which makes me feel that he and E are not so far away from me.
Under the pressure of applying for universities and rewriting my JACS manuscript, I still get attracted by Da's thoughts. My intuition tells me that working with Da will be a great treasure for me, although I do not have any idea about other professors. I wish I could start my new life in Rice immediately and leave all my past here China except for my research, my family, my love and my friends. But sometimes, I also dream I could be admitted by Caltech and join E's group. That's the reason I still need to do the complicating application work. Whatever the result is, to live without regret!
Does it sound weird? Or rather lucky?
The professor whom I want to work with helped me revise my personal statement! Haha! Da makes me kinda happy. Thank you for your advice!~
After I sent Happy Thanksgiving Day email to XC, I finally got his reply. He was sorry for non-responsiveness and planned to skype me next week. XC — my first friend in the US. (^.^)
This feeling makes me extremely excited — I have already been a member in the big group of DNA, talked with those famous professors and made friends as well.
I am going to finish the application of Rice, the last one.
I haven't decided that whether I should go back to my dormitory or continue to stay at the lab. The reasons for staying at the lab: 1. It is warm. 2. I can work late at night without worrying about electricity or network. 3. Stay up late and get up early. (Usually stay up till at least 1:30 am, while get up at about 7 am)
The reasons for staying at the dormitory: 1. I can do something that I always want to do but did not have time, such as improving my handwriting of both Chinese and English, read some books like cytobiology. — But if the dormitory is too cold, I cannot keep studying efficiently. And if I arrange my time properly, of course I can stay at the lab studying. 2. Sleep well. — If I go back to dormitory, it is very likely that I will get to sleep at 00:30 am and get up at 8 am when it is cold outside. (.)
Comparing with the reasons from each side, I think it is rather easy to make a decision... Never stop learning!
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