This semester I’ve started my second and final year of graduate school so I want to share a quick graduate school update with you all. You know what has amazed me the most? How fast the time has gone.
It seems like it was more of a challenge to complete my associate’s degree than my master’s degree. Maybe because while working on my associate’s degree I was younger, less mature, less grounded, and had less figured out about life. The early 20’s can be complex to say the least.
Being in graduate school at 30 helps me I’m sure. I’m more stable, more focused, and more grounded which helps me to stay focused on my goal.
Graduate school is not easy, but it is gratifying.
One thing that has allowed me to progress through graduate school so fast is my course load. During my first semester I took 10 hours (9 hours is full-time in graduate school), the second semester I took 9, during the summer I took 6 hours, which has now left me with 2 courses and my final capstone project. I honestly can’t believe I’m 2 courses & a project away from my master’s degree. Thank You, Jesus.
The majority of the courses have been enjoyable. Only one has made me cry (I think) and it was statistics. It was a four week summer course and I know there was no better time for me to take it than when I did. My previous courses prepared me and I have developed into a more flexible learner. I’ve learned that although all things may not come easy to me, I have to understand how to learn material that I don’t grasp as easily.
By the time you’re in graduate school you learn how to learn.
Research is a major part of graduate school. “According to research” and “research has found” becomes apart of your vocabulary. Opinions and unsupported statements stand out- and they are rare.
Lastly, reading, writing, and presentations also play a major role. You read in order to analyze and apply theoretical concepts, you write with clarity and strategy, and you present with confidence and few “umms“.
Overall, I can say that I am enjoying graduate school and I’m thankful to have made it to this point in my educational journey. Oh, and as I write we’re expecting Weslee Nichole in exactly 5 weeks and 3 days. 🙂
Read Graduate College vs. Regular College
