Well, my summer has been super busy! I finished my first year of my Master's program with amazing grades and even more amazing friends. I kicked off the summer with a visit to the great state (it is, so hush) of New Jersey followed by a trip to visit my fiance in England. And before I knew it, it was July and I had to return to reality.
My reality has turned out to be pretty busy, too! I started my new assistantship, Graduate Student Life, just last week and have been in a state of constant spinning. At first, I was nervous! This made me feel silly because I'm at the same school, working under the same Student Affairs umbrella; but, as I was reminded, it may be the same place, yet I needed a new outlook and refreshed ideas in order to be successful.
How many times does this happen to us? We enter another year at the same institution, but we go in with old ideas and feelings that don't serve us? I was grateful for the reminder to begin fresh.
It didn't take long for anxiety to set in, though. By day two, I realized that the setup of the office wasn't entirely suitable for the success of the graduate student. The desk and computer, which belonged to the GA, was also the desk and computer of the work study students. I felt that I spent the entire previous year in my GA seminar classes talking about creating a space that made you feel connected, and here I was, trying to figure out how I was going to share my tiny space with a handful of other students. I was stressing about not having a computer accessible to me at all times. How was I going to get my work done? How was I going to create a schedule for the work study students that reflected the times I needed the computer...when I had no idea when I'd need the computer? Stress=no sleep.
Stress=I needed a plan.
There was not money in the budget for another computer and in order to get furniture, you need a year...ridiculousness! I sought out another supervisor and asked her what she thought might work. (Here's where networking and being super nice kicks in, pay attention!). She said she's seen a room full of computers the university isn't using and that if seek out the right person in Operations, I could be guided to an old desk or something. I called the IT office and spoke to the IT person I knew from my old position. I asked what the deal was with this mysterious room of computers and he told me they were just 'old' by the university standards, but were completely fine. So...they're free and a request was approved for me to get one! Then, I sought out the head of Operations for my building and was (not) surprised to find that I had been to an off campus event with her. We struck up a conversation and she said she'd be on the look-out for desks. A day later, I was hooked up with one!
Problem solved=stress level down.
Later my supervisor said to me, "Now I know if I give you an answer you don't want for something you think is important, you'll go about making it happen." While that might sound offensive, the tone of his voice actually seemed impressed. I made all of the arrangements and it cost our office nothing, but the space it creates is great. And, as far as equity goes, all of the GAs have desks and personal computers besides this office. Now, this office does.
Of course I know my limits. I know if I'm asking for something and my supervisor says no, that I have to let it go. The issue with this case was the budget, not that I wasn't allowed to make it happen.
As my summer ends, (summer ends the last week of July in higher ed, right?), I'm really looking forward to the many opportunities this position offers. I feel as though I do have a chance to do some great things here. I'm already planning a Professional Development Series for graduate students. The first one is about networking, (social included).
Let the year (the year starts in August in higher ed, right?) begin!
