LIFE UPDATE: Happy New Year + I finished grad school

Happy new year, friends!!

How the heck are you?! I saw a meme that said I hope your 2021 is as good as your 2019. It made me chuckle because 2020 really was a doozy! You guys already know why, so I won’t get into it.

I’m grateful to have made it through 2020 though and I’m looking forward to crushing my goals this year. I’ve got some health and wellness goals, as well as some ambitious blog goals.

So, I did something major! 3 weeks ago, I finished grad school. I cried during the entire virtual ceremony because I was so overwhelmed with a strong feeling of victory. Completing a master’s degree is no easy task, and there is a high level of sacrifice that needs to be made. You have to sacrifice time with family, friends, and even personal time for yourself. For 18 months, I did countless projects and assignments that made me want to pull my hair out. I was working a 40 hour work week, and doing about 15-20 hours of class work per week.

Before I started the program, I was dreading the loss of all the “free time” that I had. As I embarked on this new journey, I felt overwhelmed thinking about how I would juggle all of my responsibilities while being a student. The time flew by so quickly, and I’m glad I didn’t let my fear or complacency get in the way of accomplishing my goals. I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve learned so much that will enhance my professional career. Here are some things that I learned about myself.

1. I can handle stress and work well under pressure. I learned that the more work I had to do, the more productive I got with the time I had.

2. Group projects really suck. There is always one (or two) classmates that refuse to participate and do quality work. Don’t let them ride your coattails! Speak up and let them know they will need to pull their own weight to stay in the group.

3. Keep your eye on the prize. For me, that prize was graduation day. Each class was harder than the last and became more difficult each semester. My heart was set on graduation day so I pushed through and worked hard every week for 18 months. The TV show that you think you have to watch on the night it airs? Trust me, it can wait.

4. Time management is key. As mentioned, my classwork took up about 20 hours per week. I had to prioritize and make time for my work without excuses. I wanted this degree so I had no choice but to create the time I needed to complete my school projects on time, all while working full time, and being a full-time mama and wife.

So, I’m starting 2021 with a brand new degree, feeling super accomplished, and ready to tackle my goals for this year! If you have any major goals that you want to accomplish this year, write them down, prioritize, and take action!

xo,

Nicky