Exiting the Cave

Sorry to disappoint, but there will be no references to Plato in this post (You know: "The Cave". Yeah, I haven't read it either). The cave I am referring to is the one in which I did all of my studying for the prelim. I just found out today that I passed! It was unbelievably anti-climactic. I got a handshake and a letter. But at least I passed and can move on with my life.

So now I'm TAing for the Senior Optics Lab, which is the grand summary apply the things you've learned and learn how to write scientific papers class for undergrads and master's students. The students do some standard (but really interesting and cool) experiments and I help them fix things when they break. Here's the secret: I don't know how these things are supposed to work any more than they do. I hide behind my cloak of "You need to learn how to do it yourself" and make suggestions that only sound helpful because of my title. So far the illusion is holding. I'm actually very glad to be with this class because of my inexperience with these things. I will probably be expected to know how to do these types of experiments at some point. And if I have a PhD, I should theoretically know more than someone with a masters. From rumours I've heard, after TAing this class, I might be able to get a masters by writing a 10 page paper. Woohoo! Free degree!

After a brief respite, I hope to take advantage of two things: 1.) By studying 14 subjects constantly for over a month, I now know how to study and 2.) My work/school days are confined to 9-5. Hopefully these things will enable me to study and learn and broaden my horizons in the evenings and weekends. Maybe I'll learn another language. I definitely want to learn to play jazz. The possibilities are endless! Suggestions?