November 2020

Part 1 of 2
It’s finally the spookiest of all seasons, and not just because of the Halloween décor in front yards or the horror movies on TV. It’s because we’re at that time of the year where projects accumulate, finals are loom ahead, deadlines approach, and dread begins to settle in. Grad students everywhere have increased stress from all the pressures of school. Do you remember the famous quote from the shining, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?” That’s what this season of grad school reminds me of.


Activity | Time | Frequency Per Week | Total |
Reading | 3 hours | 4 | 12 hours |
Classes | 3 hours | 4 | 12 hours |
Research | 1 hour | 5 | 5 hours |
Writing | 2 hours | 4 | 8 hours |
Projects | 3 hours | 3 | 6 hours |
Meetings | 1 hour | 4 | 4 hours |
Administrative Duties | 1 hour | 1 | 1 hour |
Homework | 3 hours | 4 | 12 hours |
Total | 60 hours |

Unfortunately, this is the status quo for grad students; always be on your A-game, work hard, be productive, and check off your to-do list. This life-style creates false fulfillment for grad students. We attach our self-worth and identity to our academic achievements. We begin to live only for the hundreds of pages of readings, 4 scholarly essays a week, 12 hours of class, daily assignments, work in group projects, and capstones. Schoolwork becomes our meaning, our identity, and the thing we live for. That’s not what it is supposed to be.
I want to challenge those who read this to step back and examine where their identity comes from. I have a feeling that most of you are going to think your identity comes from your achievements as a student, but that shouldn’t be the case! I want to remind you that there is more to life than essays and research! Do not let the fear of being unproductive deter you from enjoying life. Break the status quo! And most importantly, never forget that “all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.”

--- Lily Bivins
Lily Bivins is a master's student in the Department of Bush School of Public Service