Photo: Sven Menschel Text: Donatella Gasparro
I was wondering whether to write about the confusion of being back from Christmas holidays in the middle of week 1 or about the confusion of a new year starting with something new and still unfolded and pretty mysterious, mostly up to me, that most people call thesis. I decided to write about both.
I have to say that I really enjoyed my holidays. Especially because I was able to do absolutely nothing for quite some time, catching up with all the couch-hours that Wageningen life absolutely forbids. I think I’ve never slept as much as I did during these holidays. It’s amazing. ‘So now I feel pretty recharged and ready to get back to work’, I thought. Yes, sure. I arrived here in the middle of week 1 feeling like I was just suddenly woken up from a dream. It was comforting to see that I was not the only one, though. Many of us were just wandering around with eyes lost in the void of Forum’s walls. That’s also how I feel about starting my thesis.
Total panic
You know, second year master’s means basically one thing: you have to get your act together. On your own. It’s time to say goodbye to the safe and controlled space of courses, where you just have to do what someone else decided for you. Now it’s time to decide for yourself. Fun, gorgeous, I was actually waiting for it: finally, I can have my own project and do it my way (which is not always obvious when most of the ‘creative’ part of courses is in groups). But, of course, on the other hand, it’s just total panic. At this very moment, the excitement and curiosity of the brand-new beginning are very well mixed with general uncertainty about the upcoming months.
I was able to do absolutely nothing for quite some time, catching up with all the couch-hours that Wageningen life absolutely forbids.
One thing I decided, though. From these holidays on, I want to keep with me a general feeling of relaxation. Call it a new year’s resolution, or whatever you like. I do not want to needlessly stress out. I hope this mostly self-paced period will offer me the chance to actually follow my rhythms and needs and avoid overdoing. Ambitious. But worth a try.
Donatella Gasparro is a master’s student in Organic Agriculture; she hails from Italy.
Weekly news updates about studying and working at WUR? Subscribe to the newsletter now!
