I get intimidated quite easily by the silliest things, I must admit. In this instance, I am admitting that I get nervous when I have to talk to my academic advisor…let’s call her Sheryl *. So…she is tough to approach. She is bristly, prickly, and blunt.  She is somewhat nice at times, but she is SO blunt and seems cranky all the time. I have had nice moments with her. And I have had difficult moments with her. No matter what, though, I almost always have a panic attack before I have to approach her for anything (along with my other advisor, Brenda**).

I talked with her over a month ago when I decided to postpone my fieldwork until next semester. We were discussing whether or not I was going to postpone my program. She didn’t think I should and thought maybe I should drop my graduate assistantship. I decided at the time, to postpone the program and NOT drop the GA.

But…recently, I decided that I was NOT going to postpone my program. I was only postponing for ONE class. ONE CLASS. A class that is rumored to be relatively simple to get through. The money isn’t going to be an issue, and I would end up in less debt if I just took the class NOW than later. So, yeah. It only is taking a few more hours out of my week. So I emailed that advisor today to get added to the class. And now I’m in it!

THEN…I get an email from her this afternoon.

Subject: Appointment

Melissa,

Do you have time this week to sit down and meet?  Here are a few
times that would work for me:

Thursday 2-3:30
Friday 1:30 - 3

Gah. Seriously?? I really hate when she does that…Sends off emails to request an appointment…and doesn’t even say what is about. At first, all I could think about was bad stuff. Crap…was I not getting in enough of my hours for my GA? Did I do something wrong…? Oh, right. Time to go back through my timeline for finishing school…and I bet ANYTHING that she’s going to try and talk me out of my GA.

I know know know I can handle it and I’m GOING to be firm about keeping the GA. But she likes to throw out a lot of excuses and negativity and I’m afraid I will fold. If I don’t take the GA, I will still have to end up getting a part time job next semester. Which may end up being more hours. And A LOT less money…with no tuition being paid for. None. The GA pays me AND it pays me for 3 credit hours. It’s a no brainer. Especially when the job isn’t all that difficult to begin with!

Wish me luck as I visit with her tomorrow (Thursday). I hate that she didn’t tell me what the meeting was about…HATE IT. But I will hate it more if I walk in there like a big fat WIMP. I’m not a wimp…She just intimidates me so badly…

*not her real name, duh
**not her real name either!