It's crazy to think that just a year ago I was busy writing cover letters, perfecting my resume, and putting off homework just so I could work on grad school apps. I had no idea where I was going to be in a year, and that thought thrilled and terrified me at the same time. After hours of researching, list making, and list editing, I finally settled on 4 schools. 2 were super competitive, long-shot schools, 1 was my alma mater, and the other was one that my mother had talked me into. "It's got a wonderful program, and it's only 45 minutes away from home. We could get you a little car and you could commute." Needless to say, I wasn't entirely sold on that plan, but the program and GAships looked good so I kept it on the list.
I'm ashamed to say that my fear at that time was "getting stuck" in the Midwest. Now, I wish I had been a little bit more practical and listened to all my mom's advice. You see, she warned me about applying to such big-shot schools. I had the experience, yes, but with flailing around in 4 different majors, well, let's just say I had to put an "Explanation of my GPA" at the end of my personal statement. I guess schools that receive 300 applications for 20 spots don't want a girl chalking up those 50 engineering elective credits as "a lesson learned the hard way."
Regardless, last October, I visited the campus on a quiet Saturday and found myself unknowingly imagining what would be my life here. I even took a Muleskinner (the campus paper) home as a souvenir, and to this day haven't actually read one as a student. A lot of people have asked me lately how my transition has been, so if any of you read this, here's my "advice" for grad school/life in student affairs:
1.) Listen to your mama! Or daddy. Or whoever you know that has that wisdom that only comes with age (even though you don't look it, Mom :) ).
2.) Be practical. I so badly wish I would've applied to only 1 big-shot school. While the rejection letters are flattering, I would've rather had more options. And my 100 bucks back.
3.) Be YOURSELF, not some cookie cutter version of what you think people want. Tell your story. People come into student affairs for a variety of reasons, and I'm not the only person in my program that had to fail time and time again before realizing I could use those negative experiences to help others.
4.) Take time for yourself. This one actually was my mentor's advice for me, but it's definitely true. It's so easy to over-work yourself in grad school, especially when you have a GAship that you love. But it's also easy to freak out & wonder why the heck you're doing this to yourself. Balance is everything.
5.) Remember, this isn't undergrad, so don't act like an undergrad. You are a mature adult now. Don't skip class just because you think you can, & don't procrastinate. Writing a paper the night before it's due will result in a point being docked for APA citations because you typed "and" instead of "&".
I don't want to ramble too much, but this is what I've decided is key with my many many long days of experience :). At the end of the day, I am so happy that I'm temporarily "stuck" here in the Midwest. The beautiful thing about my life in student affairs is that I have no idea where it'll take me, but I know I will love it along the way.
