To Graduate or Not To Graduate

As my pharyngitis got better, it became a severe cough for the weeks after. It is always like that. So for the first two weeks of October, I suffered from seemingly neverending cough. But hey, there's a piece of good news from my supervisor (or not really?).

On that fateful day, after a boring seminar, my supervisor told me that I can graduate next March. Meaning that I can obtain my master degree within 1.5 years in total and directly continue to PhD. The other student (who also went to Graz last month) also got the good news. That's what she wants; Graduate ASAP because she is bored with her research topic. However, it causes a dilemma at least for me.

First of all, I enjoyed my life here. I can work at my own pace, I can travel for free for every paper got published, good living environment (some people call it boring, but I call it heaven), lastly I can save my scholarship allowance nearly the same amount if I do a full-time job (after deduction of tax, insurance, rent, and daily living expenses).

This is my assumption; With the income tax of 20% for income range 3300k-6950k per year (275k-579k) then, in case I got the minimum number (after PhD ofc), it means I have 275k - 55k = 220k for rent, foods, transport, etc. Subsequently, after calculating my monthly food bills and some input from my friends who live outside the dormitory for utility bills and rent fees, I should spend around another 100k for those kinds of stuff (30k for food is my minimal limit). Which left me around 120k to be saved. Only 20k more per month. Is that really significant? I don't think it is.

Oh wait, there is more tax! Health insurance (10%), prefectural tax (4%), and residence tax (6%). Which means that you will never see that 40% of your income. NEVER. If we recalculate the numbers above, then 275k - 110k = 165k left for rents, etc... Tch. There's only 65k left per month to be saved.

Secondly, I am afraid if I am not enjoying my life. Honestly speaking, I was actually able to enroll in 2 years mid-school program before, but I refused because I want to enjoy the time of my life and I was right. I never regretted that decision. I never find school or study is something that has to be done as quickly as possible. I mean, office work is boring. Research is cool unless you are expected to do it like an office worker with a 9-5 shift.

I like where I am now. I like how things are currently. Why should I rush it? Ain't life is like riding a bike? You can rush in the beginning and burnt out in the middle, or you can enjoy the view, feel the breeze as you pedal towards your goal.