Make it to the Top

By Ajeng Soepangat

I flip through my photos from my 6-week trip to Indonesia this summer. Thoughts of nostalgia begin to pop up. No. I can't be reminiscing right now. The first week of Graduate school starts tomorrow. I have to finish reading this Social chapter before bed.

Great. Now the pressures of grad school begin to form. Let me just get through this chapter first. Nope. I'm too distracted now. I can't focus.

Okay, Ajeng. Just remember all the advice you were given about grad school.

Manage your time wisely and efficiently. Dividing a large project or reading into smaller, manageable chunks will make it a less daunting task.

Take initiative and ask questions. Speak up in class, not because of participation points, but because you are an information seeker and researcher.

Embrace your mental breakdowns. You're bound to have at least one a semester, and that’s okay. It’s a right of passage.

All right. Now I've gained perspective.

Instead of asking myself, “What did I get myself into?” I can ask, “Well how can I improve?”

Any area I currently still lack in leaves even more room for improvement.

It’s important to become your own anchor and embrace the challenge. 

No matter how many mental breakdowns you may have, you have to stay with an open mind. 

I know it will be difficult, but we'll make it to the top.

First Year Master's Students ready to make it to the top!