I got accepted as a teaching assistant and I have my first consultation tomorrow!
It’s exciting and a bit scary because the work load is something! Shoutout to the Professor for making a detailed sheet of tasks and hours!
That’s another first on my list of firsts!
Today I have two intentions, one is to celebrate things ! and the second is to remember to breathe. Although i’m taking the smallest number of classes yet since starting my masters this Wednesday is my fullest days as a student.
Wondering why that is?
Well in addition to my regular routine of working out, production class and praying I have school, I am teaching English as a second language at 17:00, I have an advisory board meeting and then a live production class at 9pm .
Oh and I had Bible study which is usually on Monday today, so today’s a full day, which is why I need to remember to breathe.
Learning moment!
As a masters students it’s ok to do multiple things. Why are we talking about that? Well yesterday I looked at my LinkedIn and I began to worry about it looking all over the place but then I remembered, I’m not a line I’m a person. The way I have multiple organs doing different things, I am allowed to do different things.
I’m not sure if I mentioned this yesterday but setting intentions for your masters program is important especially as an international student. In addition to setting daily intentions, it is important to set wholistic intentions as well because it will shape how you show up.
For instance do you want to work in the country you’re schooling in or do you want to go back home? This will shape whether you apply for jobs, how much you apply and where you apply for jobs?
Pro tip: Joining AIESEC might be helpful especially if you study in a country where English isn’t the first language.
In the spirit of embracing that I can do different things, I’m also working on my music, whilst doing my masters and figuring out my career because life is meant to be lived to the fullest and that can include embracing new experiences and expressions.
Here are some colourful things that I noticed in my class today I like to describe them as a few non academic things that stood out to me,
"I like research that benefits people." This was part of someones reason for taking the class “Public Policies for Human Development.” This response reminded me that it’s ok for things to be simple and honest . It doesn’t always have to be so elaborate and constructed.
"Sitting infront is brave."Words I have never heard or considered, for context I always sit on the first row at the extreme left but not once had I ever considered myself brave for sitting in front. For me it has always been a thing of safety, the corner is the place I feel covered and protected, its the uninhabited place.
Learning moment!
Todays seminar didn’t hold and that changed the trajectory of my day. It made space for everything else to breathe. In life things will change unexpectedly and that’s ok. Recalibrating or pivoting like my partner and I like to call it is a skill you should embrace. It’s also important not to fill up empty spaces with activities you can do another day because I’ve come to learn that your to do list does not ever get empty.
Knowing this helps me sleep easy when there’s still stuff to do. Now I embrace the point of having 7 days in a week.
I’m off to prepare for my English class! Wish me luck guys!
Before I leave here are some interesting things I learned from my fave news letters
“You have changed. And they’re welcome to get to know the new you- excerpt from Lessons learned and Taught by Bukiie Smart, a simple reminder that change is constant and people are welcome to get to know you.
“Depending on yourself is a non-existent reality too. You are hardwired for dependency …” - Kaz Johnson from The Roadmap, a simple reminder that I am a relational being and anything outside that is a non-existent reality.
I’d love to hear something interesting you saw or learned today.
Until next time,
Your friendly
Public Policy and Management ,
Masters Student.
13/09/23