Back to School...Again Part 5

We continue our summer series with our fifth installment. 

In the penultimate part of our series ”Going Back to School”… students continue to answer questions about what it is like to leave the working world to enter graduate school. We hope our experiences have helped others feel more confident about the prospect of going back to school. This weeks’ blog post asks: 

What recommendations do you have for surviving grad school?

I think the most important part is to know yourself and set yourself up for success.  Maybe take a class at night or online to practice being a student again.  Definitely know your study habits and find a steady spot (or two) ahead of time to get your work done.  A nice desk setup, coffee shop, or library spot is critically important.  Know what you need to succeed, be it a coffee maker, a nice pair of headphones, or a study buddy.  A set schedule or a gym membership may also come in super handy. – Sarah Brunker

Be patient with yourself. Appreciate that you are a different person than you were in undergrad and in any past work positions. This is a new experience with different constraints and goals. I initially tried to fall back on my old strategies for both studying and stress relief and realized that many were no longer a good fit. On the practical side, it is not a bad idea to take an in-person course over the summer before going back in order to get a refresher on how to take notes and manage assignments.-- Caitlin Russell

A sense of humor and humility are key here.  Being able to understand what you don’t understand and then reach out to the appropriate channels is just a grad school requirement.  The faster you can accept that this is a new day and a new challenge, the faster you’ll be able to embrace the process.  Keeping perspective has also really helped to alleviate some of the stress as well.  Unlike undergrad, I am more motivated by knowledge than points this time around. This has really given me the freedom to look further into topics presented in class and forgive myself for test scores that were a little disappointing.  In the end, grad school is about preparing you for your career, so being able to appreciate all the learning opportunities will make you a better professional. -- Kelsey Bohnert

Remind yourself that going back to school isn’t easy. It takes time to transition back and adjust to academic challenges such as sitting in lectures each day, studying, and taking exams. It’s important to be patient and reward yourself for your achievements (no matter how small).– Alyssa Azevedo

This is a really good time to readjust and try to integrate good practice into your everyday life, for me it is doing things like yoga or other important self-care - by making myself a priority now I know I’m creating good habits that I can use when I’m in the ‘real world’. I also think it is important to remember that while it is easy to get swept up in the small stuff, the larger picture is that I’ll get to be a genetic counselor at the end of this, and trying to get everything out of my time in school so I’m the most prepared I can be is the more important thing. I think really trying to challenge yourself in the safe space that is school and your training is really helpful, it is hard but at the end you’ll know you really gave it everything and with grad school (like so many things in life) you get out of it what you put in. 
– Natasha Robin Berman

Buy a giant desk calendar. In a rather frantic trip to Staples one night, after fumbling through my first couple of weeks, I found myself in line with a gigantic desk calendar. It proved pivotal in improving my time-management skills the first semester. Having the month out in front of me was instantly relieving. In a glance, I could budget my time week to week, knowing when I needed to buckle down, and when I could afford a day for self-care. Now, filling it out it is a monthly ritual. Secondly, carve out enough time for some exercise (even just a walk!), healthy food, and sleep- no matter how hard it may get (you’re not you when you’re hungry, or sleepy, right!?). Lastly, be kind, be curious, be bold, and be courteous. -- Charlotte Skinner

Summer Series: Back to School...Again Part 4

Today’s blog is a continuation of our summer series about going back to school. We have been asking some of our students who took time off before coming back to school a variety of questions about how they decided to come back and what it has been like. This week we’re asking one of the most important questions:

Would you do it again?

If I could do it all over again the only thing I would change would be that I would have started the process of going back sooner! – Sarah Brunker

100% - I have no regrets about any of the decisions I made that led me here. I really enjoy all that we are learning and cannot wait to envelop myself in it as a career. But, it required a lot of sacrifices and leaving a life that I felt I was finally settling into. While it was certainly a scary leap to make, I’m glad I did. --Caitlin Russell

Without a doubt.  I miss my old position, but I am certain this is the right choice for me.  I’m glad I took the time to try on a few hats before I settled on this path.  It has not only given me confidence in my pursuit of a Masters in Genetic Counseling, but it has also brought a unique perspectives to my studies. -- Kelsey Bohnert

Yes! I love being in the classroom again and working in a collaborative learning environment. Although leaving a steady job (and income) is terrifying, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m proud of myself for taking such a huge step and investing in myself and future! – Alyssa Azevedo

110% yes, I wouldn’t do it any other way! I think my coming back to school has helped me have perspective I otherwise wouldn’t have, and I hope it has been a useful perspective for my classmates. I’ve really enjoyed going back to school, and I’m even more excited to be starting in a field that I know I’ll love to work in. I know that this is a sacrifice in many ways, but one that I know I will always be happy I made. When one considers that if you work a normal 40-hour week you probably spend more awake time at your job than you will with your family, it should probably be something that you feel good about. – Natasha Robin Berman

 

Yes, I certainly would. I have been pressed, and sometimes super stressed, but I feel so confident entering the clinic now. This program is tough; some weeks, it can feel like a marathon. But when you finally look up, seeing how much you have learned and grown gives a sense of confidence like nothing else I have accomplished. – Charlotte Skinner