The life of a full time professional and full time PhD student is tough. There isn’t any way to sugar coat the reality of working 40 hours, being in class 6 hours, and keeping up with an online class. Yes, I make a conscious decision to continue working and power through coursework, but that doesn’t take away from the stress, busyness, and chaos.
 
Some of you can undoubtedly relate. You might be in the exact same situation, you might even add a partner or children to the mix. Or you might be a full-time student, graduate assistant, researcher, and parent. Whatever the case, there are many unique situations in the graduate student life where it seems like you can. never. catch. up.
 
Let me give you some advice, give yourself some grace! Do the best you can in your current situation. Sometimes school isn’t going to be your priority, and that is okay. And you have to tell yourself that is okay. Some weeks will be easier and better than others and some weeks your school work will be better than others. Don’t take this as advice to slack off and use your situation as an excuse. But you have to be comfortable knowing… sometimes the best you can do, is the best you can do given your current circumstances. And that, is okay.

Emily Ivey | Educational Administration and Human Resource Development