Lessons learned as a graduate student

1. Sleep doesn't exist. Four hours a night is a good night.

2. Any social life you once had is basically non-existent, especially in the second or third year of your program before graduation.

3. Textbooks and parking will take a good chunk out of your bank account.

4. Just when you think you're getting ahead financially, something will spring up and take your money from you.

5. Pleasure reading? What's that? The only thing you've read in months is textbooks.

6. Sacrifices, many of them (working out, free time, sleep, etc), will be made and all for the good of having a Master's degree.

7. It is impossible to balance work, school, family, and friends without losing your sanity.

8. Your idea of a good Friday night is sweatpants, a movie, and bed before 11.

9. People weren't kidding when they said you would cry a lot in grad school. It's like the tears never end.

10. Your once calm, cool, and collected personality will disappear, your anxiety levels will rise, and you will snap. Trust me on this one.

11. The job hunt is tedious and discouraging but if you hold out long enough, someone will hire you. Right?

12. You will crack up forever at something that really probably isn't all that funny but in your slap happy mode, you find it hysterical.

13. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You are NOT superwoman and believe it or not, that's what your friends and family are for.

14. Speaking of them, they will still love you, even when school keeps you too busy to spend as much time with them.

 15. In the end, through the tears, frustration, late nights, and roller coaster emotions, looking back, you will be glad you made this journey. It makes you stronger and teaches you what you are truly passionate about. If you can tackle this, you can tackle anything.

And that's all I've got for an update. Life is so crazy right now and I'm too tired to write about everything going on. Maybe this weekend when I baby-sit. Maybe. Or maybe I'll sleep when the kids sleep. Hmm....