Lessons I will carry into the next chapter

It feels like I just started graduate school. But the calendar says two years have passed and now I’m almost done. The final deadlines are approaching, and people ask me: How does it feel to be graduating soon? I usually say, “Great!” or “Exciting!”, but it’s more than that. I’m finishing an experience that took a lot out of me and gave even more back. 

I decided to go to grad school hoping to gain the skills needed to succeed in my field. I’m leaving with that, but I’m also leaving with a deeper understanding of who I am, and the career I want to build next. 

I feel proud of all that I have achieved in the past two years and the memories that I will cherish. The small changes. The internal wins. The lessons that I didn’t even  know were lessons at the time. Here are some things I’m taking with me into my next chapter. 

I now believe that I can learn anything. During graduate school I experienced some academic concepts and work tasks that were difficult and that I didn’t understand right away. I spent a lot of time reading, thinking, working, and learning. Slowly, things started to make sense. I learned to thoroughly examine things and ask the right sorts of questions. I learned that growth comes from persistence. I now believe that if I put in the time and effort, I can learn anything.

I now believe that new knowledge can change how you see everything. During grad school my thinking shifted. I’ve gained more knowledge and skills that have helped me understand the world in a more nuanced way. I love that. I now have a better understanding of why I have certain beliefs, and why I believe certain things are true. 

I now have greater confidence. Confidence came quietly. I took-on projects I didn’t think I could pull off. I prepared for presentations that I dreaded. I studied topics that I had a difficult time understanding. Eventually, I successfully completed everything that was required. While doing this I developed greater confidence and independence. 

Now that I’m completing grad school, I’m a better version of myself. And while I don’t know exactly what comes next, I’m excited to be able to take everything I’ve learned into it.

Thank you for reading my blogs and for being part of this meaningful and unforgettable chapter of my life. I’m carrying this with love.

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