Grad School : How To Get There

I have officially completed my first term of graduate school! Miracles do happen... I figured I would share some tips on how to get there for people who are considering attending in the future.

1. Figure out how to study. This can take time, but finding out what works for you is really important. It took me awhile and a lot of motivation, but it happens when you want it to. More and more students are going to graduate school now, and the admission criteria is getting harder, so do what you need to do if you want/need to go.

2. Decide fairly early what you want to do, and know the requirements for the program. There may be prerequisites that you need to get accepted to the program, as well as standardized tests such as the GRE, MCAT, LSAT, etc. It is understandable that you may change what you want to pursue, but knowing what your expected to do makes the journey more manageable.

3. Devote yourself. You may have to get rid of habits of going out every weekend. It takes time to get used to, but in a fairly short time period, you'll be happy with your decision. Make sure that you get to bed at a reasonable hour in order to wake up and study the next day. Especially if you are working, making time for studying needs to be planned and sleeping in till noon every day probably won't help you. Read everything you can about your future career/program/field, get multiple opinions....

4. Get involved in research! It is not as hard as it sounds, and it broadens your understanding of the field you are going into. For example, if you are pursuing psychology, you can choose a sub category that you are interested in such as child psychology, and then simply start writing out your question (just something you are passionate/curious about). You can also begin looking for a faculty member who has similar interests. This can usually be found on your school's website. You can then contact them for advice and they will usually be more than willing to help! Don't forget, they were once in your shoes! At most universities, there should be a research-based class that will help you get started as well. Mine was required in my major, and we had the opportunity to conduct the research on our own with the help of professors and GA's, as well as learn about a computer program that compiles data, so we were involved in the entire process. When I started the class, I was totally intimidated by research, but I am so glad that I stuck it through because now I know the basics and will be able to further my research in graduate school.

5. Research the program of interest. Just because a university has the program you are interested in, doesn't mean that the program is accredited. Also, just because a university is accredited, doesn't mean the specific program is accredited either. Knowing this can save you from looking at programs that aren't necessarily worth your time. For example, since I am pursuing a masters in counseling, I wanted to choose a school that was accredited by CACREP.

6. Attend a graduate school seminar. Many schools offer  general information graduate school sessions that give you up to date information on standardized tests, financial aide information, admission criteria, etc. I still have the notes that I took during the session I went to, and I've referred to them more times than I can count.

7. Finally, be organized! I honestly believe I would be lost without my planner! It is nice to see everything laid out in front of you when you start a new week. Also, I keep a "To-Do" list for each of my classes. I will write down every single assignment/presentation/something that my grade depends on and keep the list in the corresponding folder. It puts the course into perspective and for me has always made things more manageable!

These are just my opinions/advice about pursuing graduate school. Remember: everyone is different and depending on what you are going in to you could alter this advice. I'm looking forward to posting another blog on advice for while you are in graduate school, but I need a little more experience before that happens :]

Thanks as always for reading :)
-Kellie

Another Reason To Love Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque :]

Not only is this masque amazing for your face, but I just discovered that it is a super remedy for poison ivy! Just thought I would share :)

Nautical Neurosis

I'm loving this dress from Forever21!

OOTN: Outfit Of The Night

OOTN:  Dinner and shopping with my boyfriend! :]

Shirt: Forever 21 

Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch (yellow embroidered white jeans! I bought them 6 years ago on clearance!)

Flip Flops: Michael Kors

Bag: Macy's (Giani Bernini)

Pearls: Forever 21

Nail Colors I'm Loving For Summer!

This summer, I'm really looking forward to wearing bright, happy looking nail color as well as pale, nude colors and some taupe colors as well. Here are some of my favorites!

OPI in "How Do You Lilac It?". A perfect dupe for this is Confetti brand "Belle Of The Ball".

Any mint-colored nail polish!

Nude, natural Essie colors. They have such a wide selection it can be hard to choose. One thing I've heard is to make sure you shake the bottle before buying because it can show the real color much better. Another favorite pictured below is Essie "Playa De Platinum".

This Confetti brand taupe nail polish has a great finish and it's cheap!!

I rarely like to see my toes with no nail polish, but as far as my hands are concerned, I can sport bare-nails fairly often. If that idea isn't appealing to you, try using Sally Hansen's 2-In-1 Nail White Pencil and apply it under the tips of your nails for a more bright-white, french-manicure look.

Whatever you're wearing this season, the selection at almost every store I've been to is MASSIVE, so I am sure you will find something you love! :)

Joseph Joseph !

As I was browsing around Macy's today, looking for a few items for my new apartment (and admiring all of the very adorable Martha Stewart kitchen items), I discovered a brand of kitchen products that I will be thinking about until I have a big house one day that could fit the entire collection. The brand is named, "Joseph Joseph" (http://www.josephjoseph.com/kitchen-tools)

Everything is so modernly thought of. For example, the utensils are elevated to "improve hygiene" and "minimize mess".

Not to mention, the colors make a mundane item exciting! The item below is so organized that it makes me wonder who the genius is who came up with the idea of "filing" cutting boards. So simple, but so useful! Besides the fact that it "reduces the likelihood of cross contamination", it organizes like a pro and saves space by sorting the boards up right instead of flat!

I checked out their website and found these cute little timers as well!

These dispensers below are useful for oil, vinegar or even soap if you ask me. They are really modern and clean looking just like the other items, and I love the design!

Check out Joseph Joseph! So adorable!
-Kellie :]

Reading For Fun?!?!

When I graduated at the end of March, having "free" time until graduate school starts in mid-May made me feel like I had FOREVER to relax and enjoy not having the stress of assignments and exams in my mind 24-7. I convinced myself I would go to the library and get books that I wanted to read for fun, and that I would probably be hooked on a series or author by now. 

However, like most of my plans, this too has been altered by the busyness of scheduling for classes, taking out loans (aka: crying over how much my master's degree is going to cost :]), looking for a new job, looking for a new apartment, signing a lease, packing, re-packing, moving, working, and simply existing. 

I am proud to say I have read one book though. I really like the author as well, and I plan to read more of her books. (I'm just not sure when.) Her name is Nora Ephron, and the book I read is called " I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections". The style of the writing in this book is perfect for a short read. Each chapter is a different story from her life told in a super funny manner. I chose the book because I too, seem to remember nothing and that could be why this book struck home for me, but I really think it's funny and worth the time to read! 

Recommend other books/authors/series? Leave it as a comment!