mspoperspenguins-blog

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A classmate sent this to me during finals week of the last semester. I was struggling with the overwhelming feeling that I wasn't going to get through the semester and was going to be kicked out of the program. Needless to say I ended up with all A's and B's. Not even on academic probation. This quote means so much to me because my biggest hinderance to my success is my own doubt that I cannot do it. Tell yourself that you can. Students in worse situations than you have pushed themselves further and succeeded. You can do it.

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Hey guys! So I just finished my first semester of graduate school. Boy was it a roller coaster. And even though I only have 10 days between semesters I'm making the most of it. My brother got married and I spent the first few days at the wedding with family and have spent the last couple days at home enjoying my hobbies. In three days I've finished an Afghan, made a queen sized quilt, a garbage can for my roommate's car, a robe, and two pairs of pajama shorts. I love to sew and it is very relaxing. Sitting at my machine has allowed me to decompress and let my creativity flowing and relax. Find what lets your mind go and run with it!!

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Hey guys! Sorry I’ve been buried above my head in finals. Seven days of school till the end of the semester and 9 finals... phwew. Anyway! 

I wanna talk about pushing yourself. This can go for anything, not just graduate school but I think it. is an important thing to talk about. This semester is the first semester of my program and we are in anatomy. It has been a true challenge with the other classes we’re in. The first exam, I got a 65% on it... and I was ecstatic. In my undergraduate studies, in anatomy I’m lucky to have passed. So I took it with a grain of salt but still went and talked to my professor. 

In our program, at the end of the semester you’re allowed on C+ and nothing below that or you’re out. Well I went to see what I maybe could change about my study habits and mentioned to him about how I was upset about my grade but still semi proud of myself and he gave me the kick in the pants that I needed. 

“That grade may have flown in your undergrad but it’s not going to cut it here. Take this as an opportunity to prove to yourself and to me that you’re better than this” 

That has stuck in my head since then because I am better than that and anyone can conquer anatomy. It’s manageable you just have to figure out what works for you. I have changed my study habits and pushed myself harder than I have ever pushed myself before and am proud to say that on every exam since then I have not gotten anything below an 82%

Keep at it and push yourself past your boundaries. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you do it and you will thank yourself when you accomplish your dreams!

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Find yourself a great support group! In grad school, tempers run high and everyone is stressed out. You all get to mess up together and look silly (as in this picture). Making the best of it and getting close to those around you will make graduate school a much better environment. You will get to know other’s strengths and be able to use their strengths to help you while using your strengths to assist their weaknesses. 

You don’t have to get along with everyone and you don’t have to hang out with them on a non-academic basis but to know that there are people around you that are in the same boat and there to help you will make all the difference. You never know, you may make a great friendship out of it. 

In a program like mine, we are together for 8 semesters and the physical therapy program is hands on and intimate with your classmates. If I didn’t have a couple of great roommates and some great cohort members to lean on, this experience wouldn’t be as great as it is. As of right now, one semester in it’s been amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

If you ever have any questions feel free to reach out to me!

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When I started grad school in May I started having more frequent anxiety attacks than I had ever had before. I figured the stress of life was getting to me and they would go away. I was two days post graduation from my bachelors when I started graduate school and had just moved to Utah to start school. As the first month went on they got longer and more frequent. Im going to share with you some things I have found that work for me to help lessen the frequency and severity of my panic attacks

1. get active. I know life can get busy especially between classes and studying but just taking thirty minutes out of your day to go on a walk or run or join a workout group will help you to burn off some of your stress and can help you sleep at night. If you don’t think you can fit it into your schedule, reflect on the amount of time you spend on Facebook/social media. I can guarantee it’s more than 30 minutes. 

2. find something that brings you joy. Even if it’s something silly, if it brings you joy, work it into your schedule. Many times we get bogged down on everything that needs to get done but don’t sit down and look at the stars or read a chapter from a book. Something that allows you to take some time to breathe and relax and clear your mind. 

3. talk to someone. You may not realize the people around you who are also in the same boat. After two weeks of agony, I confided in my dad that i had been suffering since high school and they had been terrible since the move. He took the time to let me know he also started having them when he started grad school and it got to be so bad he was miserable. I then confided in my mom and she also had been taking anxiety medication for years. It was comforting to know I am not alone and I had two people really close to me that I could confide in and discuss my issues with. 

4. journal. I know, I know. It can be silly. However, sometimes there is no one better to talk to than myself. (Wow that sounded crazy). I mean it though. I can sit and write for hours about anything and everything that is on my mind and feel relaxed because its a judgement free zone. My mind is free to come and go and I can talk about anything I need to. 

5. go see a doctor. I understand that some people don’t like to take medication but to be honest with you, my panic attacks haven’t been as manageable as they are currently while I’m on anti anxiety medication. Plus, just because you’re going to a doctor doesn’t mean you have to get put on medication. Many doctors have other resources they can provide you; support groups, tips on meditation and other suggestions on natural ways you can help yourself in your situation. 

6. self care. This has been a huge thing for me. There are countless apps out there that provide 10 guided minutes of meditation. It’s only 10 minutes. It can be done during a study break or after lunch or right before an exam. This is a great natural way to relax and be able to let your mind go and take some time to reflect. 

I’m not saying these are going to work for everyone because everyone’s situation is different. My main goal is to let you know that you are not alone and it is completely normal to experience these problems. If you need someone to talk to there will always be someone willing to listen! 

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Intro

Hey guys! I'm a doctorate student just working my way through grad school. I'm gonna post about tips and things I've done to help get myself through school as I go through the program! Follow me through it