Revolving Doors & Safety Nets

It's that time of year again.  Nope, not holiday season.  End-of-semester crunch time.

While holidays are demanding enough, we grad students are fortunate enough to still have deadlines to dance around and schedules to tightly choreograph.  You know what I mean. That special way we very meticulously craft calendars outlining when a project wraps up and the window opens to begin preparing for your finals (or "cramming" as it is called in some circles).  It's like a Revolving Door of Responsibility, if you will.

I don't know about you, but during these few weeks, I toe the line between Responsible-But-Freaking-Out and I-Am-Over-This-I-Give-Up.  A mental spin cycle of "How Will I Do It All?"  "How Will I Do It All Well?" And, "Ugh, I Don't Care."  Sound familiar?

My friend, Julie, does the same thing... But in the second-to-last-minute, she realizes she really does care and kicks it into high gear to knock the socks off any outstanding assignments.  I think it's in the DNA of Grad Students to hit a personal threshold where the drive to (over)achieve kicks in, and adrenaline fuels those last four pages and the following four hours of edits.

Those of us who work or have children, I honestly don't know how you do it.  It's tough stuff! You really should get a Nobel Prize for the balancing act you do every day!

So, here's what the panel of experts suggest:  In times like this, lean on your friends and family.  Do not hole yourself up like a hermit!  It's called a Support System or Safety Net for a reason.  Whether you lightly lean against them or collapse onto them like a polar bear on roller skates, it's OK.

As a very smart man once said, "No man is an island."

Nine out of ten Grad Students agree: Doing this, you'll refresh your mental stamina, and you will get more done in less time using less energy.  And, you will still maintain a balance in your life and find joy during your time in B-School.  What's better than that?!

Take a break. Gain some perspective.  Enjoy the levity and laughter of those around you, then you can turn back to the project at hand with a renewed vigor and knock its socks off! Good luck!