I Don't Go to Grad School

... but oh, am I learning.

This weekend, which was extremely relaxing and wonderful, I thought a lot about what I would have been doing if I wasn't a JV in Houston.

Honestly, I have no idea what that would be- I can't even picture it! I did think a lot about grad school, and it's still absolutely something that I want to pursue, but I want to have some real life experience first. I didn't want to spend my senior year of college or my JV year studying for the GREs and doing applications, and I'm really happy with that decision. While it's weird not being in school as a student, that changes nothing of the fact that I'm a lifelong learner, and I'm pretty sure that this is the best education I could have gotten this year.

What have I learned?

1. Teaching is really, really hard.
In fact, it might be the absolute hardest. This year is hands down the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm doing it, but it's exhausting. I am simply flabbergasted by the hard work of all of my teachers and professors, and while it's also exceedingly rewarding, it's so challenging to remain energetic and enthusiastic! Teachers have twice the homework, by the way. No one told me that. My time management and organization skills have improved so much in the past three months out of pure necessity!

2. I'm an East Coast girl at heart.
See previous post. When it's almost Thanksgiving and you're wearing shorts and flipflops, there is something wrong with the universe.


3. There is so much that I don't know and there are so many books that I haven't read.
I am constantly adding to my "to read" list. I may have a college degree, but I don't know a lot. Many students expect their teachers to know everything. Yikes. I want to learn about so many things!! Good thing I'm only 22.. but I know better than to think that I've got time. This requires action!

4. It's so important to do things that scare you.
If I didn't do anything that scared me, I wouldn't be here right now. I have learned so much from so many seemingly scary experiences, and as one of my favorite members of the wizarding world of Harry Potter tells me, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." I should have remembered that while I was without power...

5. I can get up really early if I have to.
This has more to do with priorities than anything. You always have time for things if you MAKE time for things- what you do is what you prioritize. I DO have time to go to the gym if I MAKE time to go to the gym. Which I am consistently making time to do, even though I am so sleepy because I get up early. It will be worth it in the end!

So while I don't go to grad school, I am learning. And I'm only 3 months in... a quarter of my way through my JV year! How time flies! 17 days until I get to hang out with my parents in Texas, and 47 until I hit the East Coast!