Being in Graduate school pushes you to limits you never thought existed both mentally, physically, and emotionally. The long nights of studying, stress and anxiety of tests and homework, and most of all the always being busy with school work and having to give up you social life time. After a while you start to miss being able to do whatever you want on the weekends, coming home from work and kicking your feet up, and being able to go with the flow of life and attend BBQ’s, parties, family events, and have nights out with your friends without planning ahead. In the chaos of it all, we often find ourselves saying phrases such as: “why did I do this to myself?”, “Why did I think this was a good idea?”, “I am so over it!”, “I just want to be done!”, “I don’t care anymore, I am so over it!”, “I just want to give up, I am so tired!”, and more.
This is when we have to look in the
mirror and give ourselves the reality check we need. When all else fails, have a vent session with your parents, best friend, sister, brother, significant
other, whoever your person/people are. How I personally get through my “breakdown
moments” is by either venting with my best friend who is also in my program
which is amazing because, she understands first-hand, or I call my mom! We are
human and this happens! It is so easy to get distracted by the stress of the
now and forget why we are doing this. This is when you have to remind yourself
of a few things:
1.
Your reason for going to graduate school in the
first place.
2.
How having your doctorate or master’s degree
will better your life in so many ways.
3.
If it was easy everyone would do it!
4.
In the long run all of your hard work is going
to pay off so just keep on pushing!
When all else fails some things
that I do to help me when I feel like I just want to give up and have lost all
motivation are:
·
Working out: Working out just makes you feel
better on the inside and out and personally helps me focus better.
·
Take a break: I take a break from school work
and go enjoy myself for a day. All work and no play makes for a very unhappy
person.
·
Look up inspirational quotes: This sound cheesy I
know, but sometimes I just need a little pick me up about life.
· Indulge: I will treat myself to a nice dinner,
ice cream, cake, and so forth. I work by butt off and shouldn’t deprive myself
is what I tell myself to make me feel better lol.
·
Watch a movie: sometimes escaping into another
world is just what my mind needs.
·
Vent: I am the type of person where sometimes I just
need to get it all out. I let my frustrations, anxiety, and stress build up and
if I don’t vent I will simply blow! This is when it calls for a serious mom
call or chat with my best friend.
Most of all remember that you are not alone, we have all felt like this
at some point during graduate school and ITS OKAY!!!
These are just a few things that help me get through my “breakdown
moments”. I would love to hear what helps you get through your “breakdown
moments?”
-Jessica
