8.24.22
As I sit here typing this, I remark on everything that I’ve done this past year: taken six classes, served as a Graduate Assistant for four different professors, attended and presented at 2 conferences, maintained a respectable GPA, attended summer camp, and most of all, found a sense of belonging in academia.
Coming back to school this year was tough, mostly because I spent the summer back home in Maine, as a Unit Leader at my childhood summer camp. This was a decision that I made back in November, and I’m glad I did; being able to “turn off” my brain for 2 months was the best thing I could’ve done after my first year of grad school. Now, it’s right back into the fire. I have a conference coming up in November, as well as other fellowship and scholarship opportunities that occur in the fall. I know I’ll be busy, so I’m both excited and nervous for this year, although much less anxious about it than last year at this time.
One of my goals this year is to not only be more physically active, but also spend my days doing more meaningful work, even if that doesn’t look like traditional “productivity.” For so long I’ve internalized what “being productive” looks like, and I’ve come to realize that it makes much more sense to work smartly rather than longer. In a perfect world, this means that I will take more time to myself; go on long backpacking trips, workout almost every day, listen to music, and be better about setting boundaries. Constantly answering emails at 11:30 won’t do me any good in the long run – which reminds me, to delete my work/school email off my phone now that school is back in session!
Anyhow, those are some of my goals this year, and I hope to start off the semester strong!
-AZP
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