#gradschoolproblems

"So while all of your friends are out in the real world, making money, buying a new vehicle, buying a house... you are here because you just could not get enough school. You decided you wanted to do lots of research and write papers." *he smiles* --> What one of my professors said to us on the first day of class. 

Grad school is one heck of a crazy ride. It can be stressful, exciting, intimidating, draining, overwhelming and actually sorta kinda fun. You will meet some wonderful people and learn to push yourself harder than you can even imagine! There are times when you will feel like everyone understands what's going on while you sit there like "ummmmmm whaaat?" You feel a huge weight lifted from your shoulders when you actually find someone who feels the same way you do. 

Let me walk you through grad school in bullet points...


1. Late night rant sessions become a thing.
-- You complain about not learning anything until one night, while your friend is talking about her relationship you blurt out a communication theory [UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION THEORY] that relates to her issue... and you think to yourself... "Holy cow! I am learning!... It's a miracle!"

2. First semester doubts.
-- "I'm not smart enough." "I have no idea what my professor was talking about for the past 3 hours." "I want to quit!" "Yep, I'm done." "Trophy wife?!" "Okay, I want to go to nursing school" ... *weighing the pros and cons of quitting and going to nursing school* "I mean I have time, it's only a few weeks into the semester."

3. "Yes, I drink a glass of wine before I go to sleep. No, I am not an alcoholic."
-- You find yourself sending pictures of your alcoholic choice of the night with the caption "I mean, why not?!"

4. Your family does not understand what you're going through.
-- They think they do, but they do not.

5. You find joy in sending memes and gifs about grad school to your friends in grad school.
-- You've realized that there are people out there that understand what you are going through! HALLELUJAH!!!

6. No social life.
-- Like it just does not exist. 

7. Reading research articles.....
-- "Yes professor, I've read the article, and wrote a summary of the article..... no I have no idea what it was about."  

8. Weekends?! Hahahahahahaha that's funny!

9. Choose a hobby.
-- On your first day of class your professor advises that you pick up a hobby, ya know, so you can keep your sanity... working out, running, sports, ironing, I mean whatever floats your boat.

10. Undergrad school spirit-- flaunt it!
-- Even though your friends may rag on you, you wear your alma mater gear on campus.

11. No money.
-- Not being able to afford new outfits = SUCH A STRUGGLE!!!! So you set goals... Finished your first two papers? PSH you totally deserve a new outfit! I mean, not like you'll have anyplace to where it (refer to number 6 & 8) but whatever!

12. Relationships can be hard to maintain.
-- There are just not enough hours in the day to talk to everyone AND do research. Don't take it personally.

13. Perks.
-- Professors like you more and you have your own room in the library! SCORE!

14. GroupMe app. 
-- Really does make everything better!

15. MYTH.
-- Just because you're in grad school does not mean you know what you want to do with the rest of your life.

16. Life long friends.
-- The people you meet in grad school are people that can relate to the struggle you are enduring. They understand your "grad school humor" and are there to hand you a beer (or vodka) after your first, second, third (ect..) research paper is completed. They are your support system and your cheerleaders.



Grad school will add some bumps to your roller coaster of a life, but it's not a bad thing, it will definitely keep you on your toes. Life has its ups and downs, but what matters most are the memories you make while on your roller coaster. So sit back and enjoy the ride, because if life wasn't crazy, it'd be boring. Have fun researching!




Be Sassy. Be Sweet. Be You.