By Ali Parisi
MS Public Relations ’16
BU College of Communication
Last semester was definitely one for the books. I dove head first into grad school and faced the roaring currents head-on. But after a well-deserved (and much needed) winter break, I’m already back in the thick of it. Chapters and chapters of reading seem to be piling up faster than I can even order my books. And yet, something feels different this semester.
For one thing, I finally feel like I’ve got this whole “balance” thing down (even though sometimes I feel like I’m going crazy trying to get all my work done and actually have a life on the side). When I take a second to stop and think about it though, I know I’m ten times more confident this semester than the last one.
Yes, the workload is still just as intense, if not more. but this time I know how to manage it better. I know how to prioritize and organize my homework so I’m not overwhelmed. And I know that if I don’t read every single word of every single assigned reading, it’s ok! Professors care more about understanding the big picture than memorizing and regurgitating minute details.
As much as I may feel more confident and ready to take on a new semester of grad school, I know the stress will still build up. It’s inevitable when you’re in grad school because frankly, it comes with the territory. You knowingly sign up for a rigorous academic curriculum and convince yourself that it’ll be just like undergrad. Unfortunately, it’s not, and you’re still going to forget to complete an assignment or cram the night before an exam.
Again, that’s ok! So what if I get too busy and can’t study for a test as much as I’d like to? And yes, I’m repeating that as much for you as I am for me. Because even though I can say that it’s okay to screw up every once in a while, I know I inevitably will still stress about it. Guess I’ll just have to click back to this post if I start to head towards a mental breakdown for a little encouragement.
Because I’ve done it once, and I can do it again. Right? Right.