Ph.D.

When I was nine, I took an extracurricular class in computer. A dozen kids, from the third grade to the sixth grade, were in that class. I vaguely remember learning about control panel, Microsoft Words, and some html codes. Creating blinking or moving phrases on a white webpage was impressive. The materials were interesting in general, but I was not in love with this whole computer class.



One day, my computer teacher told the class about a Microsoft Word Processor certificate prep class. When I heard the announcement, there was this image popped up in my mind, and it allured me to recklessly sign up for the prep class. In the image, there was a college student walking on a peaceful campus, with heavy books on her arms. Her silky hair was being blown by a wind, and sunshine, scattered through the leaves, danced upon her smiling face. It was so beautiful.



I knew that if I took that Microsoft Words prep class, I would be like that college student, exploring the exciting world of unknown knowledge. Of course, the prep class was nothing like the image from my mind. There were strange people from different ages—from “old” middle school students to “really old” adults (probably in their 30s.) The lecturer was creepy. He scared me each time, because he always looked at me and smiled! Now, I understand why. I was the only elementary student in his class! A nine-year-old girl paying attention to his lecture on creating charts on Words. How cute it must have been.



I got the certificate at the end of the program with the “creepy” teacher and disappointing learning experience. Nevertheless, my desire and admiration for knowledge in depth is still present. From time to time, I would record questions, which no one (or no book) had answers to, in my notebooks. Thinking of my future ahead, I wonder if these questions and desires indicate that I should pursue Ph.D.



Ph.D. sounds a distant future, yet I’ve got to remember no future is not too far away.




Here is a link to an informative and fun webpage on Ph.D. Check it out.

http://public.randomnotes.org/richard/PhDtalk.html