First Week Frenzy

The fall semester at PennGSE started less than a week ago, and I haven't even had all of my classes yet. That said, I already feel like time is rocketing by. One of the reasons I chose PennGSE's Higher Education Management program was for its rigorous curriculum, and I certainly haven't been disappointed early on. I'm taking five classes this semester, and between the four I've already attended, I've been assigned about 500 pages of reading and two papers, all due within the next two days. It's really easy to feel overwhelmed, but I continually think about how fascinating the topics are, and it energizes me.

I think that a certain passion (though some may prefer the word "insanity") is required to be successful in graduate school. I came here after seven years in the professional world, looking for a career shift. I'm motivated to do well not just for the sake of preparing myself for a new job or doctoral program, but because I have a respect for learning that I maybe didn't fully develop as an undergrad. Reading 500 pages or more every week isn't a chore; it's an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about topics that will likely be the foundation of the rest of my professional life. In one of my classes, I'm reading a book called The History of American Higher Education. I want to be part of the future of higher education that will someday be deemed worthy of inclusion in a historical volume. I want to do my part to change the landscape.

It's only been six days and I think I've already wanted to pull my hair out a few times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. That's passion...