Kush Tripathi
I don’t know anything- Comprehensive exam
Today, I am very disappointed with myself. Somehow I feel I am not fit for IIT as well as for Ph.D. I guess this is the reason why I didn’t get here after my 12th class because I am not made for it.
Today I appeared in my comprehensive exam, which also had DC meeting prior to it. I just don’t understand one point, What joy a professor gets when he embarrasses a student for not knowing something.
Will he get a Nobel Prize for that? Is the student that much shitworthy.
Indeed second statement is true. A student when he doesn’t know wave equations, eigen vector, partial differential equations then how he can be capable of doing Ph.D . He is not spun out for it. Despite the fact he has done whatever is required to clear the coursework required in IIT. Because he is not good in maths. So how he can be a good engineer. If he can’t derive a transform how he can do good research. Yeaah he has found a problem which is not good. Which is not viable in terms of research. A problem which no body has thought off.
But how does it matter. He is not good at maths so he wouldn’t be able to do anything in this world. He would be a black spot in the name of IIT if he stays further.
This was my experience of comprehensive exam, when I heard that I am not worth of passing the exam.
Questions started from write a wave equation, write equation of simple harmonic motion. write a equation for spring suspending a weight, write a equation for RC circuits, write a equation for RLC circuits. Write a matrix, solve for eigen values, solve for eigen vectors. Write the dimensions, write the vectors, write a partial differential equation. Solve partial differential equation. Your way of research is not correct, MRI is the best. You should not do ultrasound at all. You should know whats going on in there.
And even after you have tried, Have you heard of these terms in your life. Did you do anything in your courses. How you managed to clear your courses. Is this the way you should study. And what not.
Mind was bursting, I was under the fire of questions one after another for one full hour. Is it my fault that I am a graduate student. Did I signed up for this. I was not told I would be asked this.
What you expect?
The things which you learned in 10th 12th you can recall anytime? is it so easy?
If you are taking viva for me 1 year after I finished my coursework that too on a short notice of a week, is that fair?
I know Life is never fair, So is nothing in life. When you ask for shit people give you more.
But this just happens to recall my decision that why I am doing Ph.D. Why I am listening to something? I don’t know alright
I don’t know anything……………………………………….!!!
Categories: ThInK hArD
Tags: Comprehensive examination Differential equation Doctor of Philosophy Events Math Nobel Prize Partial differential equation Wave equation
Buddy, don’t take too personal….PhD is a long journey with lots of beautiful and difficult moments…..You are doing PhD because you love it and want to be a good researcher in your field…..and no one should able to stop you to fullfil your goal….
Having spent 2 years in IIT, I know the culture…. you will be under fire for some wrong reason sometimes…and of course, we can not know everything, neither we should or we wish to….I think the trick is to stick to your strong points and when you are under fire try to bring back the situation in your comfort zone….
Anyone can do anything if he/she is trained for it… same way is research. But passion for sth is gonna make the difference. One can be a success if you master your stuff, but only those who tries the best to give the best can be true achievers. May be some people who dont believe or encourage such attitude does the lame way of testing ones knowledge. Stay positive and stronger to give your best shot. Good luck!
BELIEVE !!!
Reminding here :
“I failed in some subjects in exam, but my friend passed in all. Now he is an engineer in Microsoft and I am the owner of Microsoft.”
― Bill Gates
See its not about being Bill gates or not. I am feeling bad. Because I was asked ” Have you ever heard this term”
Just have to ignore for the sake. B’cos if you had the authority to talk back you could have replied ” I have’nt heard of it so far, if you know you could explain and i’m willing to learn”. And feeling bad … cant be avoided , I accept. Everyone cannot know everything …