The stress over my colloquium manifested itself physically (as always) in the form of a cold. I cannot tell you how many hours (days and nights) I spent preparing for my colloquium all the while fostering this fear that my professors would find me out and realize that I was an academic fraud. I suppose this feeling is normal when you have license to create your major- and there isn’t a tried and true formula for success. This said all three of my professors were extremely supportive and excited about my ideas. I wouldn’t call it easy (again, I am feeing a bit under the weather) but it definitely was not the interrogation I thought it would be. Having passed this phase of my academic career I must say that I am proud of my achievements. Et Voila- after taking the LONG and winding road I will finally be graduating in May 08!!!
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As an NYU Gallatin student (where we create our own majors as opposed to following a traditional track) I will be defending my concentration and rationale to three of my professors in 6 days.
I have based my studies on representation & the significance of art within society, with a focus on the preservation of folkloric dance. My rationale is an offshoot of a personal manifesto that challenges the social value of art.
While I am passionate about my concentration and feel lucky to have had such freedom in pursuing personal interests I am terrified that I will blank during this two hour conversation. (Also bummed that it is scheduled too early to bring in a bottle of wine!) Maybe I should put together a few fall-back phrases in case I get stuck- I doubt I will be able to charm my way to an A.
