1. Trust yourself. Let’s face it: anyone in grad school is all too familiar with impostor syndrome (and anyone who says they aren’t might be lying haha). This year has been an exercise is trusting myself with knowing that I worked my ass off to be where I am and I’m just as smart as the people sitting next to me. My awesome cohort has become a bunch of people who have motivated me to push myself this year, harder than I have before, to step out of my comfort zone/personal boundaries. 

2. Find (a) community. Grad school will be one of the most isolating undertakings (especially if you’re moving alone). It’s important to find people outside of your department that you can hang out with. Everyday will be a mental exercise so it’s important to have normal conversations with people outside of your own field. 

3. “You should never not be reading.” Yup. Just keep reading. This is one of the easiest years you’ll have (and believe it or not– the most free time you’ll have).

4. “Work is never done. It’s just turned in.” The papers you write right now are essentially building the foundation for your thesis or dissertation. Take advantage of every course and use them to build a framework for the larger undertakings looming just ahead. 

5. Keep a space that is a work-free zone. Have a place that is dedicated to just lounging or relaxing. For me this was my apartment. I made sure that my apartment was, for the most part, a place where I could go to escape the craziness of everyday work and grading. 

6. It’s okay to say no. You’re probably going to have ten events happening on the same day/in the same week. It’s perfectly fine to say you can’t make it to some of them. You really can’t be in six places at once and mentally even more so! 

7. Remember to have fun. Whether it be nights in binge watching a tv show (big ups to Bobs Burgers) or a night out on the town. Remember to do something, anything fun for yourself. 

I agree with all of this!