Get My Life Together w/ Me

23 yr. old trying to get my life together! Studying, working out, and more!

[getmylifetogetherwme]

What I've been doing for fun lately (fighting my phone addiction)

Hi all,

This semester, I've decided to take a big step towards my future goal of PA school. As many of you know, clinical hours are a must and thus far, I've done nothing to make them even remotely obtainable... until now.

Currently, while I am simultaneously researching, taking master's degree courses, I am also taking medical assistant courses at a night school.

It's been good so far. I feel a lot of the knowledge I've acquired during my biology undergrad is useful in the class. At least in terms of lectures. Once we start the lab portion, I'm sure it'll be more of a hands on learning experience for me which I'm really excited about.

With all this movement in my life, it's really important for me to have moments of relaxation.

I'd be lying if I said those moments didn't mainly consist of doomscrolling. So so much doomscrolling.

I'm definitely trying to break that habit. I feel like my brain is deteriorating. Anyone else feel that?

Lately I've been reading more. I took up a crossword puzzle hobby that I quite like. I still can't do sudoku though.

Before bed, I watch an episode or two of Sex and The City. I guess that's what really inspired me to start writing this blog again. Carrie's narrations are so fun, and it made me miss having a place to just ramble about things in my life.

For those of you who've seen the show, who's your favorite character? I have to say, mine is definitely Samantha, though if we're really being honest, I've probably been a Carrie way more than I've been a Samantha in my life. Lol.

I've been looking into classes to take for fun. Nothing related to my field. I mean something like dance or boxing. I've got a dance class soon. I'm not much of a dancer I don't think, but that's kinda the point. I'm trying to find things out of my comfort zone as well as experiences that will keep me entertained/stimulated. I want to grow as a person more than anything, and I feel like obtaining new lived experiences is exactly how I'll do that.

I'll definitely let you all know how my dance class goes on my end of the week update post (shameless promo: if you wanna hear all about my weekly goals, academic and personal, and whether or not I achieved them/how I plan to achieve them, stick around!)

I hope you all are having a fantastic week. Mine started off strange, but not in a terrible way.

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Weekly Goals (2/15 - 2/21)

Hi all,

Long time, no see. I used to do these posts where I told you all my goals for the week. I decided to bring them back with the revival of this account. It might take me a minute to get back into the groove of things so bear with.

Weekly Goal:

Study for and ace quizzes for the week

Stay on top of all assignments (I've had a few late assignments lately)

Pack lunch for the remainder of the week (Bought food today already RIP)

Go to the gym regularly throughout the week

Read for an hour a day

I'll be back at the end of the week to discuss what I did for each goal and whether I achieved them or not!

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

When Academia Isn't Fun + I'm Sad

Hi all,

Long time no see.

I'm currently in the library studying for the last final exam of my first semester of my master's degree.

I guess I should say it - Master's degrees are hard. No surprise there, I guess.

The weird thing is, I don't feel like I have as much going on as I did during undergrad. Like it's less classes and everything, and yet, I found it so hard to keep up with?

I guess it's the combination of classes, TAing, and research. Mainly I think it was just pure laziness.

If I'm honest with you all, I'm not even sure I want this master's degree. Over the summer, I kept trying to find a job where I could use my bachelor's in biology, so I didn't feel the need to get this master's degree, but I live in such a bad place for that job market.

I kinda just wound up getting my master's degree because I couldn't find a job. Insane, I know. Very bad thinking, I know. But also, I figured it might be helpful with PA school. Maybe that's bad thinking too.

Who knows.

Anyway, TAing is a lot. It takes a lot out of you. I TA'd four times a week, and it was fun. I loved getting to teach. But God, it was also so so soooo draining.

Spring semester, I should be teaching less. I'm hoping that'll ease my exhaustion.

TAing sucks when it comes to pay. I'm sure everyone knows that. I'm looking for another job, but again - terrible market for jobs out here.

Student debt racking up. Sigh.

I guess I would be lying if I didn't say that I am both extremely happy in life and depressed at the same time, and I'm not even sure how that can be.

I don't really find joy in the classes I'm taking. I find joy in TAing, but then I get exhausted all over again.

It feels like my spark is gone. That's sad.

I feel lazy, but it's like a lazy that I can't even fight. I just don't want to do much. It feels bad. I want to do stuff, but when I try, it just all feels so exhausting. Is that normal?

I know I love academia. I know I love teaching and learning, but why don't I feel that way now?

It's weird.

I hope you all had a better semester than me.

After this exam, I'm hoping to rest a bit and regroup so I can feel better about all of this mess.

Thanks for reading. I'm sorry it's so bleh.

I'll hopefully be back in January with some more upbeat, determined posts.

[getmylifetogetherwme]

06/04/25

Hi, everyone!

So for the past two weeks or so, I've gotten back into the gym. Not only that, but I've really started to improve my eating habits. I haven't quite made my protein goals yet, but I've been hitting around 100 grams per day which is way more than I've had before. I've started incorporating more unilateral movements in my workout routine, and I think that's helping with imbalances I have in my legs especially.

I started reading more again! I read three different books in a week. Granted, they were a series I'd read when I was much younger, but it felt good to just read for pleasure again. I'm thinking of reading Normal People next. I know a lot of people liked that one, and I really wanna read it before I watch the tv show.

As for school, I have my first and only summer class starting next week. It's a nutrition class that I'm pretty excited for. I've heard a lot of people from my university struggle with this course, so I'm a bit nervous, but I think I can work it out for sure. I just have to really put my mind to it. I have a lot less distractions going into this summer semester, so I feel it should be easier to be dedicated to the course.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well.

I'll try to do more updates when I can.

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Life Updates (Graduated College, Going to Grad School, + What's Next?)

Hi, all!

It's been a minute. I thought I'd tell you about life lately.

So I did end up passing my classes. Not only passing, but I managed a B in Physics 2, which you know, obviously wasn't the original goal, but was a sigh of relief when I consider I was dancing on the edge of a C.

I graduated a few weeks ago! I'm so proud of myself. I got honors despite all the cancer setbacks. That's pretty cool. I wish I had done better, but I know that I did what I could with what I had at the time. I think I have trouble being compassionate to myself. I'm trying to fix that.

I also got into grad school. I've been thinking about what I'm going to do in the future a lot actually, and I'm trying to lock in for that. I think after I get my master's in biology, I might apply for a master's as a physician's assistant. I know it's super competitive, but I think that if I can take a few classes at a community college while I get my master's, do some shadowing, clinical hours, etc., I can really do it. I think my personal statement and being able to explain why I want to be in the healthcare field can also really help me. I hope it will, at least.

So, obviously: grad school is next. I'm excited for it. I'm going the thesis route, so I'll have to do lots of research which is nerve wrecking, but I welcome the challenge for sure.

I've decided to really focus this summer on improving aspects of my life I neglected this semester. I think I spent a lot of time this spring semester in a weird funk, and I let a lot of things just slip away from my control. I'm trying to reel those things back in.

I got a new gym membership. The gym is super cool. I'm planning on really upping my protein intake so that way I can really see progress. I think even when I was exercising daily, my biggest drawback was definitely my diet.

A lot of my goals for this summer are just related to my own wellness, I guess. I'll definitely make a goals post later on.

I hope all of you are well!

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Updates + I Graduate in 4 Days!

Hey, everyone.

It's finals week! I've done my final presentation for one of my bio classes, and my final grade for that class is an A. I finished my final lab report for another class, and I'm more than sure my final grade is going to be an A.

I still have two more final exams to go through - biochem and physics 2. Fingers crossed that they go well.

My final for biochem is all about the TCA cycle, and I'm surprisingly pretty good at memorizing it. Thank God. I think it might be my best grade of the whole semester. Kinda funny.

For physics 2, I need to get at least 6 questions right on the exam in order to get a passing grade. Somehow, I'm still worried it might not be doable, but I'm gonna try my best. I really really such at physics.

Then I graduate!

I technically still have one more class in the summer, another biology course, but I'll be walking the stage in Spring since my college doesn't do summer graduations.

Hope everyone is well.

I'll update you after the chaos.

Thanks for reading!

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Trying to Make the Best of a Bad Semester

Hey, everyone,

If you read my last few posts, you know I've had a really bad semester. Two classes are for sure A's, but physics 2 and biochem are looking like C's if I even pass. From the calculations I did for physics, I can get a 0 on the final and still get a C. Obviously, I hope I won't get a 0, but yeah.

As for biochem, it's most likely going to be either a fail or a C. I haven't spoken to my professor yet, because I'm scared, but he does know I'm having a terrible semester. I might go speak to him tomorrow and just be really honest about everything that's been going on for me. I have a quiz for him tomorrow on the TCA cycle, which I'm sure is going to be terrible, but I'm gonna do my best.

Just in case I do fail, I signed up to take it in the summer. If I don't fail, I can just take it off and retake it in the fall when I'm getting my master's degree.

Oh well.

I'm graduating in two weeks.

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Day One of Trying To Do Better

Hey, everyone,

If you read my last blog post, then you know I've been doing pretty bad. In my personal life...academic life...etc. etc..

I guess today was the first day of me trying to do better?

I don't know if anyone can relate, but when I get like this - I go down hard. Financially, especially. I basically haven't gone a single day without eating out, which is really bad when you consider I'm working very reduced hours at my job, and I have several payments coming up.

So today, my goal was to not spend any money, but I woke up early to study for my test, and my school is about an hour from home, so I didn't have enough time to pack a lunch. I ended up going to a local grocery store and buying some mozzarella sticks for a dollar. I did not read the label, though, and microwaved instead of airfrying them, so all the mozzarella basically burst from inside the precious snack. But I still ate it. So today's spending was $1.28. I'm hoping tomorrow's will be zero.

I went to the gym. I went pretty late, so it was a bit packed, but I got to do an okay leg day. I'm definitely out of shape, though. My legs could hardly take it. Baby steps. I did some ab workouts too, and it felt good to be moving.

Lately, I've only been going on really solemn walks on campus, won't lie. I've been really sad.

Now, I'm drinking a protein shake before I start working on a few lab assignments so I can have my weekend open.

Small progress is still progress, I guess. :)

Hope all is well.

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Reflecting On a Bad Semester

The semester is over in about three weeks. Give or take a few days. It was probably the worst semester I've ever had. Really disappointing considering last semester was probably the best I ever had.

Off the bat, the semester started off bad, and it just continuously got worse. I could never find it in myself to be productive. I didn't spend enough time in the library. I didn't study enough. I didn't even go to the gym consistently.

I just fell off.

I'm trying to be compassionate despite my own disappointment in myself. I'm trying to tell myself this was just a case of burnout, but I'm dealing with the very real fear that maybe this is just who I am really.

Somehow, I've managed to dance the fence between passing and failing biochemistry. After a successful ochem run, biochem came in and destroyed me.

The worst part is: it's not difficult. The concepts aren't hard. I feel I know them, but I just can't bring myself to really care. It's weird, because I should care... I just don't.

Really, I'm exhausted. It's showing. Even my professor noticed.

It feels really helpless, because no matter what I say to motivate me, no matter what I promise myself: I just can't find it in myself to do it.

So with three weeks left in the semester, and a test tomorrow, I guess I'm just gonna try to give it my all.

I think while I'm getting my master's degree, I'm going to have to retake biochem. If I do pass that is.

God, I hope I do. I need to pass.

I guess I thought I should write about this here, because I know I was really eager to tell you all the good things in my academic life.

It feels dishonest to withold this from y'all.

I'm hoping that after the semester, I'll have some time to rest, recoup, and decide what I wanna see from myself moving forward.

Hope you are well.

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Goals for the Week (2/24 - 3/1

Hi, all!

The goals for this week are quite simple.

I have an exam this Wednesday and a quiz tomorrow so reviewing for biochem is going to be huge on my list of priorities. Likewise, I want to start reviewing for Physics 2, since my exam is next week.

I just got surgery last week, so I can't work out just yet, but I'm hoping I'll be able to walk on a treadmill at the very least.

I hope everyone is doing well.

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Days 4 through 8 of my Productivity Challenge

Hi, all!

Sorry for the late posting. I've been busy.

The 15th and 16th, I studied for my biochemistry quiz that actually got moved to next week, so there's that. I also studied for my physics 2 quiz.

The 17th, I studied for BioChem. The 18th I studied for physics 2 lab and made a 90 on my quiz. I was very proud of that. I also went to the gym and hit legs. It was very humbling to go back after such an extensive break. I felt like all of my strength had simply dissipated.

And today, the 19th, I have been sat, reviewing for my molecular biology exam tomorrow. I am on lecture 3 of 8, and it is currently 7 pm. The exam is tomorrow at 8 am so wish me luck.

I'll try to upload more frequently.

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Day 3/30 of Productivity Challenge (+ Struggling w Classes + The Aftermath of Cancer)

Today was a hard day. I feel like I've been having those lately.

As a few of you may know, I had cancer for the majority of my undergraduate degree. It really affected my academic performance, I won't lie. I hate that my transcript looks the way it does, so many B's, but I also know if I hadn't had school to distract me from the cancer, I wouldn't have made it through. Genuinely. One of those semesters, I had to drop 5 of my classes, because I had to go to the hospital for a month and a half for a transplant, and there was just no way for me to do my schoolwork.

Anyway, this semester, I ended up with a pretty big course load. I thought I could do it all, but I just can't. It's a real bummer. I think something has to give, and it'll probably be my molecular class, since it's an elective. I'm thinking of taking histology (also an elective) in the summer to fulfill that requirement, and I'll still be able to graduate in May, just won't get the diploma till July-ish.

The problem is that would make it 6 out of 6 drops. I feel like it's kinda silly for me to still be shooting for med school, when I have so many B's under my belt (and a C), but I still am you know. I'm worried that 6 out of 6 drops is too much. I don't really know what to do. If I don't drop it, I feel all my courses will suffer. :/ But if I do, I worry about med school. It sucks sometimes, because I realize those 5 drops were out of my control, you know. I didn't get a choice. It sucks sometimes when I remember how much of my life was altered in the aftermath of the cancer thing. Then again, 5 is already a lot, what's one more?

I'm going to meet with my advisor Monday, and I'll bring it up to her and see what she says.

Anyone have any advice? I'd appreciate it. I'm feeling really down about it. I should probably look up those reddit stories about people who made it despite the odds.

Anyway, day 3 of the productivity challenge.

Today I worked on molecular biology (funny), and it was really tough. I fell behind so much when I got sick. It was my first time being sick post-transplant, and I felt like I couldn't breathe most of the time. I'm trying to catch up, but it feels like a fruitless endeavor.

Nevertheless, I studied. I wish I had been able to do more. Some days will be like this, I guess.

Hope all of you are well.

Thanks for reading!

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Day 2/30: Productivity Challenge

Hi, all,

Today is day 2 of my 30-day productivity challenge. (Note: I know 30 days isn't a lot, and I'll probably end up extending it. I just wanted to start with something manageable before I bit off more than I could chew)

Anyway, let's get into it!

Today started off rough. I woke up late, but I was determined to get to school for my molecular bio class, and I did!

After attending that class first thing in the morning, I went to a study room and began studying for Molecular, but then I thought I better start with physics first, because molecular is more of a review given that I've taken cell bio before. The content of both are very similar. Still tough, though, I'm definitely not going to slack on it.

After that, I had a meeting with a professor. I felt kinda out of place. Everyone there was so smart. I felt like the odd girl out. I got through that fine, though.

I attended another one of my classes around noon, then when I was done with that, I decided to come straight to my local library. I find that if I'm on campus, I'll get distracted by my friends sometimes (unless I can get a study room and those aren't always available), so I felt it would be better to leave for the library, so I did.

It's currently 7, and I'm just wrapping up some physics 2 reviewing. The library closes soon, so I'm just going to take my things and head home to study more there.

Tomorrow, I plan on doing some very in depth studying for Molecular. I like to make ankis for classes like those, so I'll be getting those ready.

Next week is our first big test week. I've got 3 or 4 already lined up. Pretty intimidating.

I'm hoping I can really lock in for the occasion. I'm happy with the progress I made today definitely. I know I need to be more proactive with my studying and stop waiting to the last minute. It worked last semester, but I don't think it will this semester. There's just too much content to do that kinda stuff anymore!

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and I'll be working but that's okay. My part time job is just a lot of sitting down, so I get to work on school work which is great. Afterwards, I think I'm going to buy myself some pizza or maybe chicken strips. Then I'm gonna go home and watch Lisa Frankenstein or something.

I hope you have all had a fantastic, productive day!

Thanks for reading!

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Day 1 of 30:

Hi, all!

Sorry if the formatting is weird for this post, I’m on my phone. Today was day one of my productivity challenge. I got a lot done today!

Today, I studied for and took a biochem quiz. Results to come. Then I took 2 weekly quizzes for molecular and finished up one of my physics assignments.

Tomorrow, I’ll be working on molecular bio all day, hopefully/more than likely.

Hope all is well!

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

30 Days of being Productive

Hi, all!

I know most people do this challenge with 100 days, but I want to start small. I thought 30 days might be good.

These past few weeks, I've just been really slacking. I don't feel too good about it, and I'm determined to make a change.

One of the reasons I started this blog was for accountability purposes. Each week last semester, I knew I'd have to fill my readers (aka you) in on what I was successful with and what I wasn't. I think doing a challenge like this will be really helpful.

So what do I count as "productive?" Lots of things!

I count reading, writing, homework, working out, etc. etc., as being productive. I guess anything that isn't just lounging around watching endless Instagram reels, though I won't cut that off completely. Sometimes, you need that leisure. Really, I just want to get back on top of things.

So for the next thirty days, starting tomorrow, February 12th, I want to try to do a few productive things each day. Things that will help improve my life, my career, etc.. I'm not sure if I'll be able to upload a blog post every day but that's the plan! I think that's what most people doing this challenge do.

I hope you will follow me on this journey! If you enjoy academics, studying, people trying to improve their lives - you should check out some of my other posts!

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

Goals For The Week: 2/9 - 2/15/2025

Hi, all!

This is the first "goals for the week" post of the new year. I'm not going to lie: I've been pretty unmotivated this semester. I haven't gone to the gym once, and I've only had one study session for Biochem. I also haven't attended a single molecular bio class yet, because I'm just so mentally exhausted.

Nevertheless, I'm trying to get back on the horse. I woke up really early today and didn't feel like coming to the library, but I forced myself. So here I am now. I've got a good number of assignments due today, but I really feel this blog helped me stay motivated last semester, so I figured I should start with this first.

Academic Goals:

Submit all lab reports

Do all pre and post lab quizzes

Study for molecular biology (test next week)

Study for biochemistry (test next week)

Do Physics homeworks

Fitness + Health Goals:

Get back in the gym!

Start attending cycling classes again

Get back on a skincare routine (I've been slacking so bad)

Pack all of my lunches for the week at home!

Financial Goals:

Save as much money as possible by not buying anything unnecessary

These are my goals for the week!

I feel they're all very achievable, but I have to be motivated to do them, and I'm just not? It's so bad. :/

I don't know if this is senioritis finally settling in or what, but I just feel so sloppy. That's the only way to describe it.

Anyway, I'll be here, finishing up some assignments in the meantime.

Hope you all are doing wonderful in your classes.

Thanks for reading,

-C

[getmylifetogetherwme]

A Late Start To My Spring Semester

Hi, everyone!

I know it's been a while. Technically, I've been in school for two weeks already, but I have been dreadfully sick. :(

I haven't been dedicating myself to school at all; I've just been showing up for attendance purposes. FINALLY, I'm starting to feel a bit better. I still have a cough, but it's not nearly as bad as it was a few days ago. Now, I'm fully ready to get my head back in the game.

This semester will be my final undergraduate semester! It's so exciting, and yet, really terrifying to think about. Given the rough start I've had, I'm really hoping to right all my wrongs thus far this week.

Usually, I would do my weekly goal post which is coming, hopefully, today. For now, though, I have goals for today.

My goals for today are:

Finish any assignments that are due.

Finish my pre-lab quizzes (I have three. Yikes)

FINISH MY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR GRAD SCHOOL

Study for Biochem

Study for Molecular Bio

Plan out the rest of my semester!

I think I really need to put a huge focus on planning out the rest of my semester. Also, that scholarship application! I'm about to work on it right now!

Hope everyone has had a better start to their semester than I have!

Be careful out there!

Thanks for reading,

-C