Grad School: Round II

I'm a 20-something Northwestern alum working and studying in Chicago. In fall 2010 I started as a first year grad student (physical therapy) at a medical school, but realized I wanted to be working with students instead of patients. I left the program to pursue a new graduate program in higher education/student affairs, which I began in fall 2011. This past fall I began my first full-time job as an academic advisor. I am finally about to finish my masters degree in spring 2013. MBTI = INTJ I can be reached at [email protected] These are my adventures in grad school... round two. The opinions expressed in this blog are my own and not those of my employer or my program. You can also find me at http://my-quarterlifecrisis.tumblr.com and http://katerinabeth.tumblr.com

[gradschoolroundtwo]

I'm not sure if anyone still follows me since I haven't been active in like 9 months, but I interrupt my hiatus to report that I registered for a class to take for fun/prep for a possible phd. I'm actually surprised I didn't get back into the classroom sooner, but here's to 9 months of not being a student coming to an end.

I have a problem. Is professional student a real thing? Cuz I want to be one. 

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Where'd you go?

I just randomly logged onto this account and saw this…no idea how old this is, so hopefully I'm not too late.

Anyway, I'm done with grad school (for now), so this blog is on hiatus. I'm still very active on my other two blogs (1 and 2).

[northwesternu-blog]

Watch Mikhail Baryshnikov’s complete speech to the Northwestern Class of 2013.

[gradschoolroundtwo]

A little bummed I didn't end up going, but my former roommate went instead for me! I had to get ready for my graduation program luncheon. I'm so glad this video exists. Love love love.

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Remember when I lived in Connecticut?

Yesterday marked one year since I jetted off to Connecticut to spend the summer working at an amazing summer program at Yale. I remember how afraid I was for many reasons (fear of flying only being one small part), but it was such a phenomenal experience. It really doesn't feel like it was a year ago already...it literally feels like it was yesterday. I miss all those people so much, and according to their Facebook statuses a lot of them just got back on campus to get ready for this summer's program. I'm a little bit a lot bit jealous. I can't wait until I've worked in my job long enough to get at least 4 weeks of vacation time so I can go back and work for at least one of the sessions....that is still a few years away.

That was such an amazing learning experience for me on so many levels, and it was a freaking blast. 

[katerinabeth]

{What I Wore: June 21, 2013 - Graduation Day!}

Yesterday I graduated with my master’s degree….I’m no longer a grad student, and that’s crazy to me. I’ve been a student for the past 23 years since I started preschool at age 3. This is quite surreal. But most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to wear a dress I bought at Target over a year ago but haven’t a place to wear it.

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Reblogging photos from yesterday's graduation! Officially no longer a student, which is crazy. But, knowing me, I'll probably just take classes for fun now. 

(Also, I never publicly stated where I went to graduate school on here because I wanted to keep it quiet, but it was probably pretty obvious. If not, here it is: I now have two degrees from Northwestern). 

[gradschoolroundtwo]

{Graduation Day!}

Today is the day. I actually picked up my diploma yesterday because they had it ready early (and we just get the diploma cover when we walk across the stage), but today is the day that's been in the making for the past three years. It's a bit ironic that when I started PT school I would be graduating in spring 2013 (albeit two months ago because they are on a slightly different schedule), and when I left PT to do this program two years ago, I'm essentially graduating at the same time as I would have.

There will probably be one or two final posts on this blog, and then I'll be deciding what I want to do since "Grad school round two" will no longer be a fitting title. Stay tuned. 

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Now what?

Well if that isn’t the million dollar question, I don’t know what is.

I’m going to keep working full-time at my awesome job, enjoy my free nights, watch a lot of TV, read a lot, and do some other things (I actually made a list over on my other blog haha). I think more school is definitely in the future, but I’m going to relish this non-student thing while I can :)

[gradschoolroundtwo]

what is your thesis on?

I just saw this…my apologies for not responding sooner. I looked at faculty-student mentoring programs and learning communities in medical schools. 

[gradschoolroundtwo]

DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE

Now just gotta wait around for graduation, but I have submitted everything and officially have no more classwork. This is such a weird feeling. 

[sharingpostgrad]

How it feels to finally graduate

Source

[gradschoolroundtwo]

FINAL PAPER OF GRAD SCHOOL SUBMITTED!

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Currently working on my last paper ever! I'm writing it on dance programs in community colleges, because I figured I may as well write about something fun for my final assignment.

In reality though, I'm super procrastinating. I think part of me is afraid to finish it because that does mean that it's really over. Right now I'm making a mental list of everything I want to do when I have free time again. First up, read Inferno by Dan Brown, which is currently on hold for me at the public library. 

(this is an old photo from a few days ago, but aside from the fact that I'm not drinking a smoothie, it's pretty much accurate). 

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Attended my last class ever of [my current] grad school [for now]!

Only 5 pages left of a 10 page final paper to write by Monday at noon, and then I am done with grad school forever*!

*or until I decide to apply to a Ph.D or second master's degree program. I dare not say it's my last class ever because I already have my eye on classes to take in the fall just for fun because I'm a nerd like that. 

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Kate Writes Her Thesis Part XVI: The Final Installment

This is the final installment of my "Kate Writes Her Thesis" series, because IT'S DONE!

Today was the day....the thesis is due. It's been submitted, and although I'm sure there are still a million things I could do to revise it, I'm letting it go. It's done. I thought it would be a lot more cathartic than it actually is, but maybe that's because I still have one 10-page paper left to do for another class next Monday, so I'm not really done. But I'm done with the biggest assignment of my academic career to date, and that makes me happy :)

[gradschoolroundtwo]

{Kate Writes Her Thesis: Part XV}

I decided this morning that in order to round the last corner and cross the finish line, I needed to make an actual list of things I have left to do on my thesis before next Monday. So, I started making a checklist this morning. As the day went on, more things were added as I realized things were missing. Then I made the most important final addition. If this isn't motivation, then I don't know what is.

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Holy crap I'm less than 2 weeks away

Two weeks from tonight I will officially be done with grad school (as in all my work will be submitted...graduation isn't for awhile still, but all the legwork will be done). My thesis is due in one week, but I hope to have it done by this weekend so I can knock out my other final paper quickly.

Holy crap. This is such a weird feeling. I've never not been a student. I'm seriously considering looking into therapy for a few post-grad appointments to learn how to be a real person.

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Check In: Monday, May 20, 2013

Obsessing Over: My cat. I haven't seen her in over two weeks. My parents are keeping her while I finish grad school since she's had some issues peeing on things she couldn't (mainly pillows). She needs to be watched 24/7 and with work and class I can't do it right now. 

Working On: Nothing right now, but I should be writing my thesis. it's due in 14 days. 

Thinking About: whether I want to make a quick stop at IKEA on my way to work this morning. Last night I decided I want a step stool. Anticipating: The long weekend...it's still five days away

Listening To: Design on a Dime. I haven't seen this show in years. Drinking: Diet Pepsi. My parents don't have coffee and I need caffeine because Calliecakes (my cat) woke me up at 5am wanting to play.  Wishing: That it was June 10th at 12:01pm when I will officially be done with graduate school.

[gradschoolroundtwo]

Kate Writes Her Thesis Part XIV: Almost Done!

On Monday night I gave my final thesis presentation...so glad that's over (but it went well! And don't tell anyone, but it was actually a little fun. I'm just glad at least the stress of it is over). I still have three-ish weeks before the final deliverable product is due and a lot of revisions, but I'm so close I can taste it.

I'm almost done with grad school (for now). Yay!