grad school vs. undergrad

Month three. Getting more and more used to my apartment, a somewhat normal schedule, and figuring out work/school/play.

Big differences between my life six months ago, and my life today...

1. Today I am going to bed around 10:30 p.m. because I need to wake up at 5:45 to study/shower/go get coffee/get to work early before a 4-hour meeting. Six months ago I stayed at the Empo until 1:30 am, slept, woke up at 7, and functioned completely fine.

2. I drink coffee. This is a big step for me. I have always loved iced coffee, but hot coffee has never really been my thing. I don't even have a coffee maker/machine/whatever you call it in my apartment if that tells you anything. I might need to invest in one. Six months ago I would occasionally drink a vanilla latte, cool.

3. Six months ago I had a boatload of friends I could could call/text to meet up and grab dinner with. Today I ate tortellini on my couch and watched The Big Bang Theory while taking a study break in preparation for our Healthcare Accounting midterm.

4. Yesterday (because I didn't go to campus today) I saw, what felt like, 300 undergrads on campus, who looked so young. I mean, I'm not some outdated student by any means, and yet I felt like I needed a big sign on my forehead that said, "No, I am not dressed up to walk around campus for fun, I am a graduate student and I just came from work. I will show you my official badge if you really want." Six months ago, I was that undergrad. Maybe students at VT look older? I don't know. It all feels like it happened 10 years ago.

5. Today, no dining halls. Six months ago, West End london broil with vegetables and an oven-roasted tomato. YUM.

6. Six months ago, norts and a tee, complete with my rainbows. Today, it takes more effort. And sometimes high heels.

7. Yesterday I worked from 8:30-3:30, ran errands, was on campus by 4:45, studied, took at midterm at 5:30, was at the gym by 6:15, got home by 8, made dinner, studied, in bed around 11. Six months ago...class here and there, SGA office for majority of my day, a little studying, regular Empo nights, Cookout break with normally Megan or Lester, back to the Empo, bed. What a hard life it was.

8. Yesterday I got lost driving to Target. Six months ago, I could drive to Roanoke without a map (that's a big deal).

9. Six months ago, home was only 4.5 hours away. Today it is 7 hours, and not as easy to make a quick weekend trip.

10. Today I feel a great deal more independent and knowledgeable than I did six months ago.

11. Today I am working towards tangible goals that I know I can accomplish.

12. Today I am learning something new because I have been given an amazing opportunity that I could not be more thankful for.


There are definitely pros and cons. It's difficult, it really is. But then I remember why I'm here, and who made it possible for me to be here. I do it for him. I work hard because he knew I was meant to be here -- and that makes every day worth it.