....this thread is a joke,right?
You are WAAAAAAYYYYY too close to the prize---
and you have what it takes.
Take it from a 52 yr old...who is WAY closer to big-dirt-nap time
(worm feast!) than you are (I infer).And you're damn right that graduate
level work in a hard science is HARD CORE HARD.
Life goes like this: You look up at the hard goals.You plot/scheme/
strategize how to get there...then you pull the trigger and execute...
And you know (we ALL know) how terrifying and exciting and ALIVE
it makes you feel to grab a Grizzly by the tail....knowing full well that
if you let go then you'll have to deal with the WRONG end of the bear.
So don't let go.
Just know what is expected of you WHEN (not if) you lick this thing.
Kick back,be cool,and insinuate by word,deed,and demeanor,that the
whole thing was a walk in the park.
(Then run home and change your underwear.....but do so in a 'cool' fashion!)