Your Decision
Your Decision
Transcript
The decision to pursue graduate school begins and ends with you. There is no right or wrong answer, no correct choice, no pre-set path. Graduate school can be an important step in one's life, but the decision to go depends entirely upon when or whether it is the right choice for you.
With that in mind, remember that self-reflection, both in and outside of the classroom, is crucial to your success. Life goals can be complicated. You owe it to yourself to devote a little time to think critically about your own values and your own goals.
As you progress through your undergraduate work, we'd like you to keep two principles in mind. You are the one guiding this process, and self-reflection is crucial to your success. It is an iterative process. None of this will matter unless it matters to you.
Having the fanciest degree in the most difficult field from the most prestigious university hanging on your wall doesn't matter, unless that particular path fits your life, your values, your goals. Going to graduate school-- like any of the decisions that matter most in life-- is ultimately, your choice. Pragmatically, this might mean dedicating some time each week to focus on your values in addition to your personal and professional goals.
Give yourself the time and space to do the practical work necessary to prepare for your future, whether or not that future involves further education. Review your values and goals regularly. And most importantly, revise them. Listen to yourself throughout this process. If you find that certain classes or opportunities excite you or that something doesn't feel right, those are clues about your direction. Listen to those clues.
Life is complicated, and what you know now might change a little as time goes by, and that's OK. Revising your goals, adjusting a list of what matters most to you in life isn't betraying your core principles, rather, careful self reflection can help you make the adjustments you need to stay on the path that's best for you. So update your goals, and write them down.
As you reflect on your short, medium, and long-term goals, give yourself some space to consider practical approaches toward attaining these goals, whether in higher education or professionally. Think through the concrete steps you need to take to prepare for that final exam, to get into graduate school, or to earn a promotion at work. Write those steps down too.
It might seem a little awkward at first, but think of this as part of the difference between daydreaming and reflection. Remember, it's about building habits of mind. Reflection and repetition are keys to success, so keep it up.
With that in mind, remember that self-reflection, both in and outside of the classroom, is crucial to your success. Life goals can be complicated. You owe it to yourself to devote a little time to think critically about your own values and your own goals.
As you progress through your undergraduate work, we'd like you to keep two principles in mind. You are the one guiding this process, and self-reflection is crucial to your success. It is an iterative process. None of this will matter unless it matters to you.
Having the fanciest degree in the most difficult field from the most prestigious university hanging on your wall doesn't matter, unless that particular path fits your life, your values, your goals. Going to graduate school-- like any of the decisions that matter most in life-- is ultimately, your choice. Pragmatically, this might mean dedicating some time each week to focus on your values in addition to your personal and professional goals.
Give yourself the time and space to do the practical work necessary to prepare for your future, whether or not that future involves further education. Review your values and goals regularly. And most importantly, revise them. Listen to yourself throughout this process. If you find that certain classes or opportunities excite you or that something doesn't feel right, those are clues about your direction. Listen to those clues.
Life is complicated, and what you know now might change a little as time goes by, and that's OK. Revising your goals, adjusting a list of what matters most to you in life isn't betraying your core principles, rather, careful self reflection can help you make the adjustments you need to stay on the path that's best for you. So update your goals, and write them down.
As you reflect on your short, medium, and long-term goals, give yourself some space to consider practical approaches toward attaining these goals, whether in higher education or professionally. Think through the concrete steps you need to take to prepare for that final exam, to get into graduate school, or to earn a promotion at work. Write those steps down too.
It might seem a little awkward at first, but think of this as part of the difference between daydreaming and reflection. Remember, it's about building habits of mind. Reflection and repetition are keys to success, so keep it up.