Nora's post about finding her summer song really got me thinking. Her posts do a lot of time - she's working full time & also working on her masters, so a lot of her posts really hit home for me. I feel like I could have written some of them, actually!
I've been done with grad school for almost 4 months now and let me tell you - I do not miss it one bit. You should know that I am a lover of school. I adored my college years - they still stand out as some of the best years of my life so far. I missed undergrad after I graduated, and thought I might feel the same about grad school, but that is so not the case. At my graduation party, people were teasing me and saying that I'd be getting another degree; I boldly proclaimed that I was really done with degrees for good. But a little voice in the back of my heads said - Really? Are you going to eat your words on this little topic?
Well, it's been 2 months since the grad party and I am more confident than ever that I am done-zo with degrees. Maybe I will take a language class some day, but that's where I draw the line.
As much as I tend to moan & complain about grad school - I am glad I did it. It's going to further my career and because of that degree, there should be some changes on the horizon for me.
I am just really glad it's over. Because I kind of lost myself in the process of getting that degree. I let go of hobbies I really enjoy, like running. I put on weight. I really didn't see much of my friends. All of this was exacerbated by the starting and ending of my relationship with Ryan.
So this summer has been about getting back to the me I was before I started grad school in the fall of 2006. I've started running again. I tackled a book I never thought I'd be able to get through. I've shed almost all of the weight that I put on during grad school (note: this did not happen overnight. I've been working on it since Thanksgiving!)
And while I haven't proclaimed this as the 'Summer of Me', as others have, it definitely has felt like that.
And I still have about a month left and have so much to look forward to, including the wedding a good friend & my sister's wedding.
So here's to finishing out the summer on a high note.
Now, if we could just get some summer weather, that would be fabulous.
Hey, just wanted to say thank you for all your kind words over the past week. It meant a lot to me, especially since we barely know each other. :)
ReplyDeleteThose "Summer of Me" posts have really been hitting home for me, too! I wouldn't say it's been the summer of me so far, so I think I want to make it the "August of Me"..
ReplyDeleteYou're so right! Here's to ending the summer on a high note!
I will try to send some of my HOT weather your way, I could really do without it :-)
Thanks for your sweet words! It's definitely a task to try to do everything (job/degree/relationships/family/friends), isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI am SO looking forward to being 100% done with this degree and moving forward.
I used to think I'd get another degree too but I'm ready to have my entire life back, and not just in little pieces.
What did you get your Masters in?
And kudos to the weight loss. I think we ALL know how hard that can be =)
Way to go on the "Summer of me" attitude. It's important not to forget your priorities. And yikes, where did summer go??
ReplyDeleteI had a great time in college and went to grad school mainly because I didn't know what else to do. I won't say that I regret going to grad school, but I will say it was struggle. It only two me two years to get my MS, but I constantly was ready to quit, I'm still amazed I made. I will definitely agree with you that I am done with school for good!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to be able to post something similar. I totally agree with you that I love school....but I am sick of the lack of a social life, the extra 20lbs that are impossible to loose when the only thing I have time to do is sit with a textbook, article, or laptop on my lap, oh and the lack of time to read for pleasure!! I will take your lead and fully enjoy the simple things in life the entire summer after I graduate! :)
ReplyDeleteMaster's school weight! Thank you for giving me hope it can be lost. I used to think I'd never be one of those peope who gained weight in grad school (since I lost weight in my undergrad), but oh how wrong I was.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the weight loss and the degree! What did you graduate in?
I am so glad this has been a great summer for you :) but I have to say reading this post scared me a little!! How long was grad school for you? It's supposed to only take me a year...but it is a little scary. My grades have to stay high, and there will be a LOOOOOT of research going...but like you said, I don't think I'll regret doing it :)
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