As stressed out as any 21 year old can be

[PrincessRora]

Ok, so I just needed to vent a bit and I hoped this was just as good a place as any to do so. I usually vent to mom, but then she gets upset and worried that I'm going to have a break down or something and so she gets stressed, and well, not a good idea.
Anyway, I'm panicing. I've got 2 more finales to get through, and then graduating College a week from Saturday. I'm nervous. I don't need to pass the last two classes in order to graduate, and I'm no where near in danger of failing either of them. I just feel so much pressure, and I'm constantly worried somethings going to go wrong. I'll be the first person in my family to obtain a bachelor's degree, so it's a really big deal to me and my parents. I just feel like I'll disappoint them if something were to happen. And the weather man is not helping. It's supposed to be 81 degrees out next Saturday, for an outdoor graduation. And it's supposed to rain. Which means, it'll be moved to the old gym with no air conditioning or air flow. And I can just see my grandmother getting upset and throwing a fit and embarrassing everyone.
And on top of this, I want to go to graduate school. I've been accepted, I have an advisor, but 1. the school is 19 hours away from home, and 2. I did not get an assistantship (thus far) and may have to find a way to pay $23,000 to attend based on out of state tuition.
I just feel so much pressure and more than anything I want to just pack up and run away to WDW right now and escape all of it.
Sorry if that was long.

 

[Russian-in-Kansas]

Hang in there! I am graduating in a week, from grad school though..but yeah these last few weeks are a pain for pretty much everyone, a lot of stress. But not much longer left, just hang in there and do your best.
As for grad school assistantship--pay for your first semester, but prove yourself and you will most likely get it if it is a Ph.D program (or M.A. program with adequate funding). At least in my uni, I have yet to see those capable and enthusiastic being denied support, on the contrary it has been more than generous hours and compensation wise.
Good Luck, stay strong!

 

[PrincessRora]

Hang in there! I am graduating in a week, from grad school though..but yeah these last few weeks are a pain for pretty much everyone, a lot of stress. But not much longer left, just hang in there and do your best.
As for grad school assistantship--pay for your first semester, but prove yourself and you will most likely get it if it is a Ph.D program (or M.A. program with adequate funding). At least in my uni, I have yet to see those capable and enthusiastic being denied support, on the contrary it has been more than generous hours and compensation wise.
Good Luck, stay strong!

Thanks. I noticed that you live in Kansas. The graduate school I've been accepted to is Fort Hays State University. The professor who's said he would be my advisor is looking to see if he can get a research grant from the government for me.
Congrats on your own graduation.

 

[Russian-in-Kansas]

That is an awesome place (not mine, though), if your advisor is already working on it, I am sure it will come through, perhaps he just doesn't want to jump the gun. Thanks, yeah trust me, I have to tell myself to calm down, but the comps results are not back yet, so its worry, worry, worry all the time, but it just has to work out!

 

[PrincessRora]

I'm crossing my fingers.
I heard from some professors near me that FHSU is the school to go to if I want a degree in biology from that area of the country.
That's exactly what it feels like. Worrying like crazy. Sleep is hard, lol.

 

[Aliceacc]

Congratulations!!!

Take a deep breath. I know the pressure seems overwhelming right now, but the worst is behind you. You KNOW you're going to do well on those two finals, you KNOW you're going to graduate. Just do what you've always done: take it one day at a time, one class at a time, one exam at a time.

As to the weather: you're a smart 21 year old, and you KNOW there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. First of all, weather forecasts are notoriously WRONG. Secondly, the school from which you're graduating has this down pat. They've dealt with cranky old grandmothers before; don't sweat it. Besides, grandma may be so proud she'll surprise you. Don't set her up for failure. Put someone-- your brother or sister or someone-- in charge of ensuring that grandma gets a seat, and ask your parents to be sure she has some bottled water. Warn her that it's likely to be hot. Living in NC, I'm sure she knows the drill.

As to grad school: many, many of us did it part time because we simply couldn't find the money for full time. If you join the part time ranks, there's no shame there. What's your BA in? Is it a field where you could consider working as you go to grad school? (If you're a bio major: it's possible to teach in some places without certification. And science teachers can be hard to find. ) I taught full time during mine. It took a few years, but that's OK. Once you get out of college you'll realize that there no longer is a timeline. You no longer worry about finishing "with your class" or "behind your class." You take classes and finish when you finish.

So take a deep breath, have a glass of iced tea, study for an hour, then go for a walk. Come back, grab something to eat, and study another hour. You'll get through this, I promise.

(And it's great prep for planning a wedding or prepping Christmas with small kids )

Again, congrats!!!

 

[PrincessRora]

thanks so much. I will have to think about something like that, but for now, I'm just gonna get through the next week.

 

[GraysMom]

What will your degree be in? I'm a teacher, and the district paid my tuition for me to get my Master's degree (I paid for books and lived with DH). I was limited to 4 classes a year, but I wouldn't have wanted to do more than that anyway.

I know the company my DH works for (and his previous employer as well) will pay for him to take a certain number of classes a year as well, so you might want to check around if you think you'd like to work for a larger company.

 

[Aliceacc]

What will your degree be in? I'm a teacher, and the district paid my tuition for me to get my Master's degree .

Wow... that's GREAT!!!

In NY you HAVE to get your Masters, so it's unusual to find a school willing to pay for it.

 

[Val]

Take a deep breath...you worries are normal. And even if Grandma makes a scene, she will be doing it with all the OTHER grandma's making a scene!

Look for assistantships outside your department. Try the student study center, the athletic center (someone has to tutor the football/basketball team ). If you have technical computer skills- contact the IT for your college...they often need techs who go out and help professors. Also check the assessment office- they need grad students willling to enter data, run analyses and process scan trons.

My department pays the lowest on campus- I always advise my grad students to go outside the department unless I can fund them on the grant.

And my the "grant gods" look positively on your major professor and my lab- I have several grants pending and in the hands of the national review committee.

Good luck---and CONGRATULATIONS! You IS A COLLEGE GRAJUATE!

 

[PrincessRora]

What will your degree be in?

My undergrad degree is in Biology, and if I go to this school, so will my Masters. I want to work for the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Take a deep breath...you worries are normal. And even if Grandma makes a scene, she will be doing it with all the OTHER grandma's making a scene!

Look for assistantships outside your department. Try the student study center, the athletic center (someone has to tutor the football/basketball team ). If you have technical computer skills- contact the IT for your college...they often need techs who go out and help professors. Also check the assessment office- they need grad students willling to enter data, run analyses and process scan trons.

My department pays the lowest on campus- I always advise my grad students to go outside the department unless I can fund them on the grant.

And my the "grant gods" look positively on your major professor and my lab- I have several grants pending and in the hands of the national review committee.

Good luck---and CONGRATULATIONS! You IS A COLLEGE GRAJUATE!

Thanks for the advice and the Congratulations. Only one more very easy exam to go, and then graduation in 7 days. So yeah, the excitement bug has finally started... although, I am more excited about WDW.

 

[SweetAmy31]

Congrats and good luck!

I agree with the others who posted. Take a deep breathe and relax.

Maybe slip one of those mini travel fans in grandma's purse, like everyone on this forum suggests taking to Disney. Whether the ceremony is outside or inside, she'll keep a little cooler, plus it'll show her you were thinking of her.

As a single mom working full time, and going back to college, i know stress. Remember "this too shall pass!" Its a phrase that has gotten me through a lot of tough, stressful times!

Congrats and Good Luck!

 

[PrincessRora]

Thanks so much. I'm feeling a bit better. I love the fan idea. Gonna ask mom later this afternoon to pick one up.