What is new

Well other than the pictures I haven't posted much recently. This is because the social monster of my school gobbled me up. I never knew that my social life was so lacking until I started at Booth.

Classes are going well and they are rapidly approaching the end. I have 2 weeks of classes left and then a week for finals. It is crazy how quick this academic year has gone by.

I am going to write the rest of this post as a reflection of my first year at Chicago Booth. Warning it will be long.

Things that have been awesome:
I can't believe the number of accomplished men and women with whom I not only get to interact but are my friends. The people at this school are doing amazing internships and awesome research. their interests are much more varied than I thought would be the case.

The social aspects, not only the parties but also alumni events, club events, trainings, lectures, are all so much more than I expected. I find myself constantly declining invites because I already have something planned for lunch/ evenings/ weekends.

Things that have changed me:
This school has re-awaked my desire to lead and join in groups. I have become a co-chair of a great group (public speaking club) and joined a variety of fun and more career focused clubs.

I competed for and landed a position as a Career Advisor. As such I will get to help incoming first years navigate pursuing a non-profit internship.

Having classes with incredible professors and my wonderful classmates has made me more confident of my skills and yet very aware of how little I know.

I am more social. From the very first day of LOE I challenged myself to be more social, to make the effort in leaving my comfort zone (and my house all the way in Homewood) and to really experience the full time program. I know that this challenge has sometimes been very hard for myself, and at times I have failed, but in the end it has made me more well rounded and provided me with so many fun memories.

Things I wish I could change:

I wish I wasn't leaving my home for the summer. This will be very hard on both me and Bill, but I know that the internship is important and I am so lucky to have landed such an amazing opportunity.

I get frustrated with my classes, especially this quarter. It is so hard to pick out your classes and a study group and it is very disappointing when you look forward to a class as you don't get out what you thought you would.

I wish I had gone on a random walk/ gone to the chicago area meet ups. Last summer I was so excited to get into the program and have the chance in expanding my academic horizons. I was NOT looking forward to all the social events and the new working and interacting with people. I wish I could call my past self up right now and yell at her. I would have met my friends even earlier and started bonding even earlier.

Things I look forward to or worry about next year:

Finding a job - I both look forward to recruiting and worry about it. The timeline for on campus recruiting for full time position is compressed into one month. But if you land a job you are set and can enjoy the rest of your year.

More travel - travel with Bill, travel with friends, and maybe some family time. that mixed with a weddings of close friends in october, november and december will make for an awesome fall

Overcommitment - I worry that between the club the recruiting the weddings the travel AND the classes I might have already overbooked myself in the fall (and this is before the social monster of Booth tries to gobble me up again).

There are so many more things I feel about this year but above all I am so blessed to have had this time, to be a part of the Class of 2012, and to have the wonderful family and friends (old and new) support me and my decision to return to school.