<p>I went to my current school because none of the out-of-state, terribly expensive schools had funding to offer the year I was applying. I didn't get on well with my first adviser, as I found him to be overbearing (like, trying to coerce me into taking jobs I had no interest in... sort of mapping my future for me, then getting disappointed when I didn't want to follow that path), so I submitted a portfolio, got the MA, and moved to another department with the intention of finishing my MA thesis with an adviser I was more on the same page with.</p>
<p>I'm very close to finishing. Just comprehensive exams, finishing my thesis, and a few classes. The last several semesters, I've had to have multiple jobs to support myself; I haven't had an actual break in years (the pauses I have taken lead to hastily doing work, as there is always some project at hand), not even for holidays; and I realized last Fall that this department simply isn't a good fit for me.</p>
<p>I thought I would be staying through Spring, but was informed I should graduate in December (as it will be right on the 2 year mark, though I was dually enrolled between two departments my first semester in). The theories and methods, once I got a good look at them, don't apply well to my research. The things I used to love doing are now robotic and suffered through. The professors are nice and brilliant... this is all just so forced for me. </p>
<p>But, I don't know what to do. My exams are just a few weeks away. I have yet to finish reading all the material (I don't have a proper background in the scholars of this field, so I take notes on everything, not quite sure of what the "takehome" is... so I write books of notes on books). I am behind in my research, and so on... </p>
<p>If I leave, I have no insurance, no job, and no (second) MA. I am producing a manuscript for publication and have thought that maybe if I just finish that, I could use a chapter to continue in a PhD program that actually has what I study (instead of trying to contrive my research fit this field). I'm also nervous because the school has funded parts of my thesis project, and I'm not really sure what will happen there. Heck, if I could even take a semester off to just get caught up on my research without stupid deadlines looming in my face all the time, things might be doable... but I feel so pressured to graduate in December. Everything is now now now now.</p>
<p>It seems like all the "tough" decisions I can find mapped out are about hard science. I'm in humanities. I just don't know what to do, and everyday is wasted with me looking around, trying to figure out if I can do this or that or if a job is open here or there. The whole scenario has caused a lapse in my depression, which causes things to spiral even worse. </p>
<p>Does anyone have advice for attempting to change into a PhD program using something other than a thesis?
Leaving a department that you are not suited for?
Should I just suck it up and plow through with the only intention of getting letters of rec out of this deal?</p>