Well folks, it’s November. The semester is winding down, assignment deadlines are quickly approaching, and your to-do list has a to-do list. At this point, you may be in need of some motivation. If this applies to you, I would encourage you to ask yourself 3 questions:

Why am I here?

What do I hope to gain from this experience?

What steps will I take to achieve my goals?

Why am I here?

I have found that reflecting on why I came to graduate school often gives me the motivation to stay the course. What attracted me to NC State the most was the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members who were engaged in research efforts related to my interests. Passionate about the retention and persistence of underrepresented minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, I knew that earning my Master’s would better position me to tackle these issues. Also, I recognized that continuing my education was not only an investment in my personal success, but in the success of the students that I hoped to work with in the future. So, I challenge you to think about why you decided to come to graduate school and the lives that will be positively impacted as a result of you being here.

What do I hope to gain from this experience?

For many of us, the decision to pursue a Master’s degree was driven by a desire to advance professionally. Whether you had prior experience in the field or this was a new endeavor, deciding to earn your Master’s was a sign of your commitment to your professional development. Personally, I wanted to gain the skills to re-examine my academic and professional experiences in Higher Education from a scholarly perspective. This program has allowed me to do just that. Next semester, I will be engaging in an independent research project, in collaboration with Dr. Tiffany Davis and my supervisor, Dr. Clyde Wilson, exploring the experiences of African American women in the Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) program at NC State.

What steps will I take to achieve my goals?

Realistically, there may be some long days and late nights on the horizon, but remember this is time well spent IF you use it wisely. If you have a specific interest within Higher Education already, utilize your class projects and assignments to explore your interests more deeply. If you would like to gain experience in a different functional area, pursue internships and opportunities to volunteer in that area.  If you are considering getting a doctorate after your Master’s, take a couple of doctoral level classes to get your feet wet. Taking these steps have undoubtedly made my experience more meaningful and kept me focused on the bigger picture.

So when the going gets tough, just ask yourself 3 questions. And maybe, just maybe, you will find the motivation that you need to tackle that to-do list.