And so, I've completed my first 10 weeks as a graduate student.
Submitted my final paper electronically just a few moments ago, and upon a confirmation of receipt from my professor, it'll be dubbed "official."
I couldn't be happier with the way the quarter has gone and the way I plunged into this experience full force. For anyone who's made a leap like this before - spending 20+ years of your life in a city like Buffalo and coming to a city like Chicago - they'll know what I mean when I say it isn't easy. It's a big adaptation, there's so much to get used to.
I approached the experience fearlessly though; I think that's how you have to be. Within a few days, I had an internship lined up. I continuously made networking a priority and met new people every chance possible. I put an emphasis on continuing to write, write, write, contributing to sites like WindyCitizen.com and BleacherReport.com. I jumped into Twitter and I began populating/reading as many social media/technology/online journalism blogs as I could find.
I also experienced some things I could have never dreamed of. First, I witnessed the Chicago Cubs complete one of the worst collapses in MLB history (sorry Cubs fans, this HAD to be in here). I was one of 70,000 to be in the ticketed area at Grant Park on Election Night. I put a video together of that from my vantage point and posted it on YouTube; Generated some 7,500+ views (so far). And somehow, a generous guy at WGN Radio - a friend of a friend of the family sort deal - gave me a pair of 100-level tickets to a Blackhawks game for free. These things just don't happen!
At times, I think I tried to do too much. But it lined me up nicely. Next quarter, I will be a graduate assistant for the College of Communication. I'll continue to freelance for BladesCrusades.com, who I just started working with a few weeks ago. And I'll be going to Washington, D.C. to help cover the Inauguration. Wow.
Must have done something right. Will take a brief intermission and give it another go on Jan. 5.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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3 comments on "First quarter in the books"
woo hooooo! Congrats on being done with your first semester, you accomplished so much... have a safe trip home and see you soon! :) Love you
thanks melissa :) i cant wait to come back and see everyone! i can smell the turkey! will see you soon and love you too.
you are so cool! congratulations! now I think you need http://www.proofreading-services.org/ for writing some essays or dissertation work. It will be difficult, but not with our help :)
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