The school year is finally over for me so now I can dedicate time to improving my blog, brand, and whatever other projects I decide I must take on in the summer (I’m not good at sitting still). BUT! Before I cancel all the school talk until August I want to offer advice no one asked for but may be looking for, and that’s choosing classes.
The beauty of college and especially graduate school is the freedom to choose classes you are actually interested in. I highly recommend choosing a class that interests you, even if it isn’t directly related to the career you choose you will most likely learn something you can apply to your future.
This semester I decided that I would take 2 classes that were of pure interest. One class was related to what I thought I wanted to do following graduation and the other happened to be with my advisor and that’s the main reason I chose it. I would venture to say I learned more in these 2 classes than I have in my entire graduate program. My program is directly related to my undergraduate degree so a lot of what I am learning is used to further develop skills I already possess. In these 2 classes, however, I KNEW NOTHING.
I started the semester sitting in the room feeling like I was way in over my head. At more times than I’d like to admit I left class either in the middle or at the end and cried out of frustration (also battling grief and other things). I am so proud to admit that by the end I had grown leaps and bounds. I finally felt like I knew what was happening in class, I could understand the material, contribute to the conversation, and feel like maybe I was meant to be there.
And that is what higher education is for…
It’s all about not being the smartest in the room. Walking into spaces that allow you to learn, develop, and grow. Challenge you to stick through the hard days and all the tears. Show courage and show up for yourself. It’s hard to go from excelling and overachieving your whole life to walking in spaces where you feel like everyone around you is speaking in a different language, and while they seem to understand each other, everyone is trying to figure it out.
I am so grateful for this challenge and for allowing myself the opportunity to grow. So whether it’s school, a new job, or any new feat you decide to take on, show up for yourself. Accept that it won’t be easy or linear. You will survive though and sometimes you’ll thrive.
As you enter the summer months with new excitement, welcome the challenges. You’ll thank yourself later.