Day seven: grad school

It’s easy to complain about grad school. I think it’s probably always easy to complain about our current realities. And I will admit, there are times when I wonder all of the reading, thinking, researching, writing, studying, class-going, lack of sleep and copious amounts of caffeine are worth it. Particularly since my post-graduation career in the nonprofit sector isn’t likely to be one distinguished by financial solvency gain.

But the nature of complaining is contrary to the idea of living in the present. Complaining might masquerade as a “now” action, but I think at its core, it either points to the way something is different from how it was in the past or how it should be different in the future. The opposite of complaining is to do the work–to be satisfied when things aren’t perfect, to seek to improve the present reality, or to learn to live in contentment regardless of the situation. I want to live in the present.

I also want to acknowledge my privilege. According to Wikipedia, only 7.6% of Americans have obtained a masters degree. Being a part (almost!) of this statistic shouldn’t be taken lightly. While the right to education is included in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), I have seen first hand the many barriers to education that is a reality for millions of people globally, particularly in the developing world. And that is just concerning primary (and secondary) education. So few people world-wide have the opportunity for college, much less for advanced degrees. So I want to take the time today to consider and be thankful for the incredible opportunity to attend graduate school in pursuit of a master’s degree.

A few elements of my grad school experience for which I am incredibly grateful:

Critical thinking: While I think I have always had a little bit of a “why” complex (always asking why and how is something done, and for what reason?), graduate school has pushed, stretched and challenged my views and opinions and has taught me a whole new way of critically analyzing not only my own life but the world around me. I’m so thankful for the ways I am able to engage in critical thinking that I never would have dreamed of before, and I hope that for the rest of my life I am consistently a critical thinker.

Multi-faceted dialogue: I am daily amazed at the incredibly intelligent, talented and experienced people I get to engage in dialogue with and learn from (I am speaking of both faculty and fellow students). My ability to critically analyze wouldn’t be nearly as developed if it weren’t for the level of dialogue I have experienced not only in my classes but in conversation as well. I have learned how to appreciate vastly different perspectives than my own and how to have lively intellectual disagreements without becoming offended. In the process, I think I have also become a much better active listener as well.

Vocabulary: I joked during the first few weeks of my grad school experience that I didn’t know what the heck anyone was talking about because of all the big words they were using. I’d read a chapter of book or a journal article and have to look up half a dozen words just to understand what the author was trying to say. I suppose I was surprised because I’ve always thought I have a fairly advanced and expansive vocabulary repertoire. Grad school has only enhanced my vocabulary, however, and as self-declared “word person” (and also: “nerd”), I seriously love it.

Academic writing: I love writing. I’m not sure whether or not I would characterize myself as a great writer, but I love it. I do know that the level of writing I am regularly asked to produce in graduate school has been invaluable to improving all aspects of my writing, academic or otherwise.

Research capabilities: This is perhaps a no-brainer part of the graduate school experience, but I think it still bears noting. I’m certain that the skills I’ve learned related to extensive and in-depth research will be incredibly useful in both my career and personal life in the future.

Books: Here’s another topic that might warrant a “Nerd Alert! Nerd Alert!” from my friend Molly. I love reading, and graduate school has been good to my bookshelves and hard on my wallet. I’m not just talking about the required readings, but the dozens of book suggestions I have gotten every semester that relate to my interests in social justice, human rights, and nonprofit work. I’ve probably added a good 25 books beyond my textbooks to my collection that I haven’t been (and won’t be) able to read until after graduation.

Applying theory in practice: The professors of the classes I’ve taken in grad school have really endeavored to combine academic and intellectual theory with practical application in the community. I deeply appreciate this combination. I believe theory is important because it asks for better ways of thinking about and doing things. But none of us live in a happy little theoretical vacuum; we live and work in the real world. I hope to take the skills I have learned in practically applying theory into my nonprofit career.

Grad school textbooks (for just the first semester!)

I purchased my cap and gown today for graduation in just over five weeks. In the midst of an insanely busy week (which will just become progressively worse in the next five weeks) I wanted to take the time to consider and document some of the reasons I am so grateful for where I am at right now.

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to attend grad school.

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