I have finished my first days as a USC graduate student.

Plan, Plan, Plan.

Those are the most important three words right now. It is hectic, especially the first few days because I am trying to get oriented with the technology, read the syllabus, read the guidelines, and figure out the types of assignments.

Prior to the start of class there were readings to be completed and forum posts to the discussion board in response to questions. While I did finish most of the first week assignments, it was not easy figuring out how to incorporate my school, work, and everything else in the 24-hr day. Thus, I broke down the week by the hours I spend on each activity. Weird? Perhaps. But, this allowed to see how I spend each hour of my week and how long I take to commute, study, class, prepare and eat meals, get ready for work, and sleep. I also wrote the days I clean, exercise, budget my finances, and complete laundry. This way I am not thinking “When should I complete _ _ _?” Now I have each task preplanned for the next 12 weeks (the length of the semester). The only thing I must mentally prepare for are long nights, early mornings, and assignments and life situations that I cannot preplan for. Basically, I need to learn to become even more of a planner yet spontaneous and be able to adapt to life’s changes.

Hope and plan for the best and expect the unexpected.

Women's Studies, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi

I am writing this as I finish my graduation cake.

Now, I am a college graduate. Technically, I am done with school. I am now semi-ready to venture into the real world and become an employee and to no longer hold the title, with all its privileges, “student.”

The feeling of being a college graduate is unique.

For the first time I feel like an adult. When I was a student, I was able to do (or not do) certain things because my studies came first. I was able to bounce back and forth between majors. Now the deal is done. The degree choice has been made and finished. There is no going back and changing my decisions.

Even though I will still be a college student at USC, I will not be the same type of college student. I now have more bills to pay, I have a different course load, and I am on the path to an advanced degree.

I am now a college graduate and it is time to take ownership and responsibility as an adult.

Tell Me: Describe the feeling you had when you graduated college?

Today, I reviewed an archieved webinar for the January 2012 MAT@USC cohort. I was half listening and half thinking about graduation from Sac State this Friday. But, luckily, I did tune in because I discovered some exciting news: my federal stafford loan amount for my first two semesters might be reduced by almost $4,000 because I received federal stafford loans in fall 2011.  Great. . .

I had to e-mail the financial aid office regarding the loans I received in fall 2011, I could have kept quiet but sooner or later they would find out (that what the scare tactic used in the webinar) and I would owe money (not that I wont already owe) or my future amount would be lower, thus causing worse financial hardships.

The financial aid office should reply to my e-mail in 3-4 business days and then I should know the fate of my finances. If my stafford loan amount is reduced this means I will owe not only 1,300 out-of-pocket but an additional $4,000 ($2,000 each semester).

My current thoughts? Maybe I can pick up the Thursday shift at work.

Tell Me: Financial aid horror stories.