Dear Eye View
Several years ago I was enrolled in a Ph.D. program at an Ivy League university. About halfway into my second year I fell into a deep depression. I realized my proposed dissertation was garbage, and that I didn’t want to pursue a career in academia. Somehow I passed my classes, and at the end of the school year I left abruptly. I had confided to one professor that I was unhappy. He said that my most significant paper would qualify as a master’s thesis and knew I had enough credits, so he suggested I submit it and get the master’s. I couldn’t even do that. Then my computer died and I lost most (though not all) of my work; it was one of the greatest weights ever lifted off my shoulders. Now four years later I am the happiest I have ever been, but I’m looking back with regret that I didn’t follow through. I have the knowledge that a master’s degree from a prestigious university represents, but I do not have the piece of paper. (No way can I redo the work.) My life is great and I love my new career. My work is only tangentially related to my old field, so should I just completely put this out of my mind forever? If so, how?
—Secret Master
Dear SM
I understand your concern. You claim you got depressed and your computer broke. You sound conflicted. You write you are the happiest you have ever been but have regrets in the same sentence. One way to stop this conflict is to lie. Lie about having a masters degree. Put it on Facebook. This should help with your conflict. Hope this helps.
EV
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Moody Eye View 
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