Peer Advisor Blog Posts

Welcome to MBKU! 

Graduate school can be tough, so I think it’s really important to find ways to treat yourself! Having things to look forward to can keep you motivated throughout the year, 
even when you feel like you might be burning out. For me personally, I love to get a sweet treat after big exams and proficiencies. I’m going to share some of my favorite dessert spots around school that I like to treat myself with throughout the year!

1.Bag of Cakes

When I moved from Arizona to attend MBKU, I felt like I had everything figured out, except I did not have a car. But, reflecting back on the school year, I think everything worked out!

Here's How: 

One of the biggest reasons I felt comfortable moving without a car was that I found a place within walking distance of campus. Being able to walk to class every day made life much easier and saved me from dealing with parking or transportation costs. And, as a bonus, I got a little walking workout every day!

Free time?! In a graduate program?

No, it’s not a typo. It really is possible to have free time while you pursue your studies of Optometry, Pharmacy, or Physician Assistant. While I’ve only completed my first year of Optometry school, I know many upperclassmen in my program that follow the same principles that I will be sharing. It works. Not only will you survive, you can also thrive.

Grad school can be a hectic transition, especially for those moving or returning after several years. As someone who was still unpacking during the first week of classes, I understand the stress of balancing my academic and personal life. Staying organized can make that transition much smoother, but there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. I often use different organizational tools depending on the class or task at hand. Here are my top three recommendations that I hope will help make your transition into grad school a little easier

When I started graduate school here at MBKU, I expected long study hours, never-ending exams, and zero time outside of school. It was easy to feel like my entire identity was “graduate student” and nothing else. What I fully didn't anticipate is how important it is to take care of yourself outside of school. In order to not lose myself in this program, I realized I needed to protect the things that make me feel like me.

Grad school can feel very overwhelming, especially with the amount of new material you need to learn each week. But! Once you find your groove, grad school can become a little more manageable! Below are some study methods that helped me!

Organize Everything 

Before starting graduate school, I didn’t know what to expect, and I truly thought my biggest challenge would be the courses. While that was an important factor, I quickly learned that graduate school is much more than its rigorous material. Looking back on my first year, I’d like to share 10 things I wish I'd known before I had started.

1. Everyone is Nervous, Even If They Don't Seem Like they Are