She Strengthens

Balancing Act: A Day in the Life of a Grad School Student

The Early Bird Catches the Coffee

My day begins at 6:00 AM, with a struggle to get out of bed. After just two snoozes, I’m up and filling my travel mug with coffee. While getting ready, I quickly check and respond to emails. As many of my colleagues are on the East coast, my inbox is already flooded with messages. The Today Show provides a welcome distraction during breakfast, with Matt and Meredith’s banter helping to wake me up.

The Workday Begins

By 8:00 AM, my client is calling with questions, which I answer while driving to the office (don’t tell my dad!). At 8:30 AM, I join a teleconference with our team in DC, discussing project updates and strategies. The morning is a flurry of activity, with emails pouring in and meetings with my client to prepare them for an important meeting.

Lunchtime… Sort Of

12:00 PM marks the end of my client visit, and I head back to the office to tackle more tasks. Lunch is a hurried affair, eaten at my desk while I continue working. A meeting with a co-worker to discuss their promotion assessment follows, and then I touch base with my study group to review a paper due that week.

Afternoon Madness

The afternoon is filled with back-to-back meetings, including one to address an urgent data call. I also finalize my expense report for my last work trip and make travel plans for an upcoming trip. By 5:00 PM, I’m ready for a break and head to dinner, courtesy of the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego.

Dinner and Homework

Dinner provides a welcome respite from the chaos of the day. I use the time to catch up on last-minute homework answers and finish reading a case study. Class begins at 6:30 PM, and I focus intently for the next three hours, determined to stay awake and engaged.

Winding Down

By 10:00 PM, class is over, and I head home to spend time with my husband and catch up on American Idol (thank goodness for DVR!). With a long day behind me, I realize that I still have much to do, but sleep is essential if I want to survive tomorrow’s meetings. I take comfort in knowing that I’m one day closer to the weekend and graduation.

Reflections

Looking back on this day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to document my journey as a grad school student. It’s a reminder that life can change quickly, and I’m thankful for this snapshot of my hustle. I encourage you to do the same – document a day in your life, and see how it inspires you to keep pushing forward.