Updates

Several comments were made on my previous post, which I will now take the time to answer.

First off, I greatly appreciate your comments. I'm glad to know that my thoughts can ease someone else with the fact that it happens to other people. Whether struggling through a first year graduate program, or being told that you can't do something that you love and have been told all through the rest of your life that you were good at it. It is a disheartening time, for sure. But, we will rise above it.

I am now in the process of applying to new graduate schools. I will continue to strive for my PhD in Mathematics. I still want to do active research, but I am also looking for an institution that will aid me in developing my teaching abilities, as that is truly what I do want to do. Luckily, I leave JHU with a masters, so that alone should help me to get into many of the places I am applying.

As for the qualifying exams at JHU, yes, you are given two chances with an option for a free chance when you first enter (for those with masters and such to place out of the first year courses). My problem was that I did not demand the help that I needed, and my fellow students worked in a very different manner than I did. I prefer to have readings done before classes, and assignments done with at least a full day to spare, so I can look over it and catch any mistakes. My classmates were the exact opposite, which worked to my disadvantage only. They were able to do this and be successful, and I lost out on the valuable discussion that I desperately needed.

If given the chance to do it all over, yes I would take the opportunity. I know that I can succeed at JHU, I just needed there to be more support and willingness to help.

I will be staying at JHU for the spring semester. My current advisor would still be happy to work with me, and I will continue getting teaching experience. I will also be teaching my own course over the summer through JHU, so I'm not quite done with them yet. Luckily for me, there are some at JHU that do like me, and want me to succeed.

Thanks for all your support! I do greatly appreciate it.