Getting here hasn't been the problem. Getting the grades I'm accustomed to getting hasn't been the problem. Getting the work done hasn't been the problem. Finding time to raise a half-puppy, half-old man Labrador hasn't been the problem. Finding a way to balance personal relationships and graduate school hasn't been the problem.
Well...what's the problem?
The problem is that I never realized that I had to alter the plan my 16 year old self made to fit the reality that is grad school. Everything up until this point had been easy as pie. Double majoring a year and a half before graduating Howard was a walk in the park ( and honestly it was no different that one major would have been). Now here I am 56 credits into my program without a research project to call my own, though it hasn't been a lack of trying.
Seven months ago I thought I had the perfect project lined up, all I thought I needed to do was call CEO of Company A, CEO of Company A would call Staff Member B, Staff Member B would pack up and ship my samples and I'd have a whole semester to analyze and write my publishable paper. By May 2014 I would graduate, spend the summer interning, and I'd return in the fall to begin the doctoral phase of my stint at Florida.
IS THIS HAPPENING?!?! you ask....well....NO....far from it.
It's been seven months of sporadic emails, finding out that FEMA was involved, having to send a dissertation proposal, coming close to having a mental and emotional break down, wanting to pack up and move back home. I honestly was ready to throw in the towel when I found out that my sample was no where close to being shipped, my graduation date was being pushed back to probably the fall, and I needed desperately to search around for a sample of my own.
Unfortunately, as much as I would love to give a happy update about finding a sample and beginning my analysis, that part of the story is still unfolding.
My point in writing this post is simple. Grad school, at least from my experience, is a period of uncertainty. Involving so many players in your story means that not everything is going to fall exactly into place as you would like it. Make Plan A and keep on going. You never know when someone isn't going to return your emails or calls, when a government agency will step in, or when things are going to start getting better.
Ask for help if you need it. I was too stubborn to admit that I needed help, not just with my research issue but emotionally as well, but I'm thankful for all of the amazing people who have been there to support and love me.
Remember....THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!!
Until next time...
