a long time...

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything. Almost a month. That tells of my life. It is hella busy. I did take my first mid-term though and get my grade back today. Lets pray for at least a B.... Pray people :)

The Jena 6

Today is a day of rally and support for the Jena 6.  These boys were basically involved in a school fight and were looking at attempted murder charges that could have carried up to 80 years in jail if convicted and sentenced with the maximum penalty.  

These boys were in school, where they should be learning and preparing for the best future possible. Now they are sitting in a jail in Louisiana, school being the furthest though from their minds I’m sure.

I am excited that people are rallying around this issue and looking at the injustice that was done in this case.  The rights that our parents ad grandparents fought for must be maintained and in this new age we must learn that we can’t just rest on our laurels but make sure we are actively apart of our society.  Becoming educated a definitely a away to do it but as Rev. Sharpton said this morning, “Education is not enough, you must also have action”.  I’m not saying put down the books and don’t study today, but I am saying find a way to support this cause. Use your education and the knowledge you are gaining to teach others, what is culturally acceptable.

One last plug, tonight watch CNN at 8pm, looks like it will be a good special on this case and the events that have transpired since this all began a year ago. Working in TV, I know if ratings are high, the will continue to do stories on a topic, so show your support

(Red Bull vs. Coffee) + Vitamins

This is a hard one

One thing I have learned since I started school is that sleep will be scarce. I know how I am, and I need sleep to function, I need a lot of sleep or I get very cranky. That being said, with a full time job, there is only so much time in the day, and when you have to read over 500 pages worth of marketing info you have to pull the time from somewhere.

I also recognize that lack of sleep leads to colds, and I HATE being sick even more than I hate losing a few hours of sleep. So I've been thinking of the most efficient way to solve this problem. To keep me up and alert I’m debating between Red Bull and Coffee. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I know neither is healthy so let me put that out there now, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I’m not saying this will be an everyday thing, but I need to have a plan, I’m thinking maybe rotating between the two every now and again will help. I also plan to couple this with some vitamins. I went to the store and bought some the other day. With the change of seasons and my sleep pattern I need some extra minerals.

I guess this is the life of a working grad student… what have I gotten myself into???

Why Am I in Grad School?

New column alert! So why do we do this to ourselves? Is it the yearning to learn more? The prestige of more degrees? The money? The fame? There is always a reason to go back to school. This column will explore those reasons with grad students in various disciplines. First up, we have Kenneth, a PhD student out on the west coast, also my little brother :) Let's find out why he is in Grad School.

Why are you in grad school?

As an undergrad, I got involved in research and really enjoyed it. As
I am in the biological sciences, it's basically required to get a PhD
in order to not hit the proverbial "glass ceiling." So here I am,
starting year 3 of my PhD program in immunology.


What do you plan to do once you get your degree?

Good question. If I want to continue on the academic track, I'll do a
post-doctoral fellowship (where you go another lab and work on a
high-profile project that you can hopefully spin-off into your own
lab). There's also the possibility of going into industry or trying
to complete a science-policy fellowship.


Why did you select the school you attend?

Stanford has incredible research, and the people here in the program
seemed very supportive of each other in a genuine way. Plus, the
weather here is considerably nicer than in Boston, where I was also
considering going. Additionally, (and non-trivially) as there are
VERY few people of color in the sciences, seeing that there was an
active minority support community & seeing a couple of black students in the program who seemed to have similar life experiences and that were enjoying themselves here made me comfortable in coming all the way out west.

What is the best thing about grad school? The worst?

The best thing is that I (more or less) have complete control of my
time. No one's looking over my shoulder to see that I'm in the lab
from 9-5 or anything like that. The worst thing about grad school is the pay :).

If you could change one thing about your current experience what would it be?

1. More people from more diverse environments around.

2. I would try to change the culture of science where things other
than lab work are valued. While I know that I'm here to gain
scientific training, I know that being skilled in the lab is not
sufficient to sustain me as a person (and I'd venture to say many
others as well). If professors would encourage people to explore
their other interests, I think that it would be to the benefit of
everyone.

Nice. Good luck little brother. Thanks for sharing :)

Wow

Umm so yeah, I have been in school for four days. I have officially been a student for four days... unreal. In that time I have had one class and have not had a chance to make a single post. So I guess that is the typical life of a grad student. No time, never enough time. I have to say though; it does feel good to be learning something in a classroom setting again. I have Economics on Mondays and Marketing on Saturdays. We all need to pray on Econ. I took it twice in undergrad, Econ 100 and 101. Let's just say I left much to be desired. So, this time around I am taking it more seriously and I’m learning something. I just completed my first homework assignment, which is a good thing. I have to meet with my group Saturday after class to discuss it. So whether I answered the questions correctly is another story, but at least I finished them and did all the required reading. Not bad for someone who hasn't been in school for a while huh?

I guess the lesson of this first week is time management. In the first week that I start school, my job also decided to become a little hectic. But hey I will make it work; I don't really have a choice do I? The key is going to be time management. I studied during lunch today and I see that being a regular thing for me. I can’t wait until the evening to do everything. I will drive myself crazy. With time management being the theme I posted some tips below (these were taken from my own experiences in the last week):


1.) Realize that there are only 24 hours in a day. I know we all want more, but 24 is all you get.

2.) Figure out when and where you're wasting time. Then save it by doing something productive.

3.) Set specific goals. You can’t be successful if you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve.

4.) Prioritize, Prioritize, and Prioritize. I think that is self-explanatory.

5.) Take a break when you need one. A short break, because if not you won’t be productive at what you do.

6.) Make a schedule. You can do one daily or weekly, whatever works for you.

7.) Do your part and delegate. If you are assigned a task, do it, and let others do their part. I know there are a lot of type-A personalities out there. But it is ok if you don’t do everything.

8.) ORGANIZATION if key. Use a day planner, blackberry, treo or electronic device of your choice to help you stay organized. If you need to have post-it notes all around you, whatever works, just make sure you know what needs to be done.

9.) Sleep, you can’t be productive if you don’t get any rest.

10.) Make sure you have a supporting cast. Whether it is friends, family member, co-workers, whomever… Make sure you have support around and you ask them for help. None of us can make it in this world alone.

Well, it is late so I guess I should take my own advice. Good night

The marathon has begun...

So after two days of orientation the one thing I know for sure is that this will be a long process. I’m excited though. I have met a great group of people and I think this will be a wonderful experience. I’m taking two classes this semester and the group that I have, it seems like we will work well together. Before orientation we had to complete a Birkman assessment and it is used to place us in group, teach us about our strengths and weaknesses and how to deal with the behaviors that drive them. I think this will play a big role in my professional and academic careers. I recommend taking one.

The first day of orientation was pretty standard, group and individual photos, meet and greet sessions, talking to financial aid, getting a first look at classes with our professors. It was a long day and was tired when it was over, but it was usual. The second day however, was a surprise. I do not like being in “nature” and we had to be at the school at 7am to go to the north Georgia mountains to do a ropes course. I have to admit it was awesome. We had a really good time and worked well as a team to accomplish some of the tasks. I guess that is kinda how this whole process will be, me stepping outside my comfort zone and doing things I’m not used to.

The "big day" is finally here

I'm exhausted, I went out last night and it was a blast. It will probably be the last time I got out for a while, but it was worth it! That being said, it has been a year in the making but I will finally be starting school tomorrow. I guess what they say is true, you sometimes forget the pain once it has left you. I don't even remember all of the work that went into the test, interviews, applications, etc. I'm just happy to have that part of the gschool process behind me and ready to start, ready for another set of challenges. This is what I have been waiting for. Wish me luck at orientation tomorrow and check back as I'm sure I will have lots to say about my first day :)

The Test: The LSAT

To all of my future lawyers, some changes have taken place at the test centers where you will be taking your beloved entrance exam. The changes were implemented this past June. Below are the highlights (as printed on the official LSAT website):

• Items permitted in the test room. Tests takers may bring into the room only a clear plastic ziplock bag, maximum size one gallon (3.79 liter), which must be stored under the chair and may be accessed only during the break. The ziplock bag may contain only the following items: LSAT Admission Ticket stub; valid ID; wallet; keys; hygiene products; #2 or HB pencils, highlighter, erasers, pencil sharpener (no mechanical pencils); tissues; beverage in plastic container or juice box (20 oz./591 ml maximum size) and snack for break only.

• Items permitted on the desktop. Test takers may only have tissues, ID, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, highlighter, and analog (nondigital) wristwatch. No electronic timing devices are permitted. This is a change from previous testing years.

• Prohibited items. Candidates are not permitted to bring into the test center the following items: weapons or firearms, ear plugs, books, backpacks, handbags, papers of any kind, calculators, rulers, timers, listening devices, cellular phones, recording or photographic devices, pagers, beepers, headsets, and/or other electronic devices. Bringing prohibited items into the test room may result in the confiscation of such items by the test supervisor, a warning, dismissal from the test center, and/or cancellation of a test score by LSAC. Prohibited items may not be used during the break. LSAC and LSAT testing staff are not responsible for test takers’ belongings.

The complete list of test center changes can be found here. In addition to the test center changes, which are important to note, because we don’t want you kicked out for rules violations, some changes have also occurred to the reading comprehension and writing sections of the test. It’s a long test, but make sure you are familiar with all the changes, rules and regulations for the LSAT. I want you all to do well! So check out the site and make sure you are in the know. :)

Two more days...

The case study is complete! Tonight is the last night of partying for a while... so let the fun times begin. I have to admit now that school starts for me in a mere two days, I’m nervous. I can’t believe I have actually signed myself up for school and plan to obtain this degree while working. I guess millions do it everyday and its not like I have kids to care for, but the reality that I will now have to study again is scaring me. But I know it will be done and two years from now when I get this degree I won’t even remember this night. For now, I’ll admit the nervousness has set in, but this semester is paid for the books are purchased and I’m ready, at this point I don’t really have a choice.

The Case Study

Today's post will be short. I'm tired and I still have this case study I need to complete. Luckily this case study is really short. I know they won't all be this way, but I want to thank the professors for just giving me a taste of what is to come.

I want to give a shout out to all my friends that started that march toward the next degree today!

Later :)

Party like a rockstar!!!

My friends are sending me off into the world of grad school in style! We have decided that we will go out every night this week, through Wednesday, I have to be fresh for orientation on Friday morning. Not that I won’t be able to go out when I’m in school, but I’m supposed to be focused, so I am trying to get the partying worked out of my system now. Last night was awesome… got home at about 4:45am, so you can imagine I slept most of the morning. In addition to the vacation I suggest you do everything else you want to do before school so you can be fully focused!

But I do have a case study that I have to prepare for orientation so before I got anywhere tonight I will complete that… the reality is starting to set-in. Life will be different very soon :).

I'm back and I'm ready :)

So as you know I was on vacation with my family in Mexico last week. I just got back yesterday and I have to say it was the best vacation I have ever had. It was the perfect way to end the summer and get my mind right for school, which starts this week. Check out some of the highlights in the slideshow below:



When I got back I realized that we are given breaks and vacations for a reason. I recommend to everyone before you go back to school, while you are there, or if you are a professional, USE THE VACTION TIME YOU ARE GIVEN!!! That doesn’t mean you have to travel the world or spend all hard earned money; if you’re in school I know you are strapped for cash so I’m definitely not proposing you escalate your debt.

What I am saying is when you have fall break, Christmas break, vacation days, etc. use them and take the time to really relax. Turn off the phone, computer, blackberry, electronic device of your choice, and just RELAX. The more days you do it the better. Go to the spa, walk in the park, sleep, or plan a trip to Italy, whatever floats your boat, but make sure you take the time for yourself and enjoy some personal time :).

The Last Few Days

So I'm two weeks away from school. Tomorrow I'm headed to Mexico with my family, should be a refreshing vacation. I do have a case study I need to review before orientation. I'm going to print it off, should be a nice read while I'm on the plane. Good luck to all those that have started school in the past week and enjoy your last few days of summer to those who are on their way :)

One Year Later (OYL): Law School

"One Year Later" (OYL) is a new column that will highlight what has happened in the year since you walked across the stage and picked up the next degree.

Today we look at Rhonda's life since she has become a legal eagle (go girl!), you want to hear more from her, let me know at gschooldiaries@gmail.com.


1. What is the first thing you did when you finished school?
The first thing I did when I finished law school was move to Atlanta! Literally the morning after graduation the movers came, I packed up my car and hit the road.

2. Your first job after getting the next degree, how is it working out?
My transition to corporate America has been a trying one. Work for a young associate in a large law firm is very time consuming and full of politics. However, I have enjoyed the many people I've met and opportunities I've had. No matter what lies in my future, this has been a great place to begin my legal career.

3. What do you think are some of the advantages to having your degree?
I'm much more marketable with my law degree. I can do anything and go anywhere. Its practical enough to help get my friends out of speeding tickets but is prestigious enough to get me staffed on billion dollar litigation.

4. If you could change one thing about your grad school experience what would it be?
I would have studied abroad if I could do it all over again. Spending a semester in Spain would have been great.

5. Any advice for those looking to go to Law School?
Approach law school as a full time job. Your first year is the most important. As an interviewer and recruiter now I understand the importance of looking good on paper--that's what gets you in the door. Personality comes second. Study, study, read, write, discuss and study. Plan to spend at least 12 hours per day "doing law school" during your first year.

6. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestion? Speak to the people!
Going back to school is a great move. In these competitive times it takes another degree to put you out ahead of the masses. Enjoy the process because once you are a part of the real world again, there's probably no going back to life as a student!

The Rankings Are In!

U.S. News & World Report has released its annual rankings of graduate schools in the 2008 Edition America’s Best Graduate Schools. Below is a partial list (top 3) for business, education, engineering, law, medical, sciences and fine arts programs. To view the entire list, including specialties and various other programs, as well as details on how each school received its rankings, visit www.usnews.com or purchase the magazine at your local bookstore.

Business Schools:
1. Harvard University
2. Stanford University
3. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Schools of Education:
1. Teachers College, Columbia University
2. Stanford University
3. Harvard University
Vanderbilt University

Schools of Engineering:
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Stanford University
3. University of California – Berkeley

Law Schools:
1. Yale University
2. Harvard University
Standford University

Medical Schools:
Research
1. Harvard University
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. University of Pennsylvania
Primary Care
1. University of Washington
2. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
3. U. of Colorado - Denver and Health Sciences Center

The Sciences
Biological
1. Stanford University
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of California - Berkeley
Chemistry
1. California Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Stanford University
University of California - Berkeley

Fine Arts
1. Rhode Island School of Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Yale University

Need a change at work?

The below information was taken from the Forte Foundation web site. Check it out if it comes to your town and let me know your thoughts.

WOMEN FOR HIRE CAREER EXPO

Fall 2007 (September 27-November 13)

Are you looking for a great new job or a new networking opportunity? Attend the Women For Hire career expo when we arrive in your city. Meet recruiters from great companies from top fields like accounting, aerospace, consulting, education, engineering, finance, financial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, human resources, insurance, law enforcement, pharmaceuticals, retail management, sales, and technology.

Check out http://www.womenforhire.com/ and see when we are coming to a city near you. Also, be sure to look for details and register for our Early Morning Seminar held the morning of each career expo.

Fall 2007 Schedule
Washington, DC: September 27 Tampa: October 9 Atlanta: October 11
Chicago: October 16 New York: October 18 Dallas: October 23
Houston: October 25 St. Louis: October 30 Boston: November 7
Los Angeles: November 13

The Test: GRE

So times they are a changing. Those out there set to take the GRE, please know that come this November, the GRE is making some changes. Originally there was a plan to overhaul the entire test. Those plans have changed slightly, and changes will be made to the GRE over time, with no firm timeline. Personally, I think that is wise to wait. I took the GRE and it was ok, but change on a test like this is never good.

In November, there will be two new question types, one in the verbal reasoning section and the other in the quantitative reasoning section. In the verbal section, sentence completion questions will now have two or three blanks to fill in as opposed to just one. The quantitative section will add number entry questions with a box for students to fill in numbers or fractions.

Check out the new question types and find out more here.

The summer is coming to an end

Like the first time...
Originally uploaded by CláudiaM

So to celebrate my last summer of freedom for a while, I have made it a point to do everything I possibly can do, and take as many vacations as possible. Since Memorial Day weekend I have either been out of town or had people come in town to visit, all but 3 weekends. I have added to my skymiles account this summer while going to my cousin’s wedding in Connecticut (congrats cuz!), Charlotte, Topsail Island, Durham, and DC. I’ll be in NYC/CT this weekend and next weekend I am going to Mexico with the family. That will be fun, a long week to sit at a resort and think about nothing, absolutely nothing! That is exactly what I need before I start the next chapter of this thing called life ☺

The countdown has begun...

In exactly one month, I will have taken my first grad school class. Today I have mixed emotions about it. I’m excited, nervous, thinking what exactly have I done? Will this really pay-off? What awaits me? What is I get in and realize I want to do something totally different with my life, then what happens? I guess a month from now I will know what I really got myself into. The reality is, it may be years from now before I really know the answers to these questions, but hey such is life!

I have friends that are in grad school or professional school, hey my little brother is getting his PhD- God bless him, and I guess heading in everyone starts out on the same path. It takes a year or more just to get your self together and apply, you have to determine if you want to go full-time, part-time, relocate, online classes, etc. Once you get through that, then you have to visit schools, study for THE TEST, interview, write and re-write essays, pay those application fees and then wait. The waiting kills you, but then you get in and everything is great!

Then you begin the process of figuring out "how am I are going to do this?" For those like me who have been out of college longer than the 4 years they were in, you have to remind yourself to let your old habits die. No more studying at the last minute, deciding whether or not you want to go to class, partying late and sleeping in. At this point everyone is telling you “you are an adult and need to act like one”, so it begins!

I created this blog to help all my folks out there that are deciding whether they need to “go back to school”, and everything it entails from info sessions, test prep, interview tips, financing, and once your in all that is at your finger tips!

Good luck to all those trying to make that decision, hope this help!