Grad Life!

I have been writing and discarding blogs a million times over the last 6 months (oh man ! its been half a year in Stanford)! I cannot believe it! Finally decided to pen down random, arbit thoughts as they come by and click -'Publish Post' :)

The quarter system is indeed crazy. There is so much to do and so little time to spare, that almost every single second you spend relaxing, you are gonna enjoy it! I was blessed with the best start an international grad student can ask for. One of my best pals, was a student in the same department, living in the same apartment complex wrapping up her last two quarters! I inherited, a friend circle, all the department gyan, amazing company, comfortable shopping rides, great vacation trips, a of course a taste of US life, from her. To add to these, ofcourse, was complete tuition waiver and a big fat stipend in the first quarter. I was PAMPERED !!!! And as it happens with most pampered kids - spoilt !!! :P

Grad life is never complete without its share of struggles, and now I am slowly entering the grind. For most students, its a transition from struggles to comforts - with me (as is always the case), the graph has a tweaked course of ascent! Am into my second quarter now, almost mid way through - working part time with a front desk office, earning just enough to take care of living expenses and hunting for and internship and assistantship for the next few quarters. It can be a little distressing, but I guess this is what makes it worth the ride. I guess the pain wouldn't have been worth a mention had I not got used the comforts of corporate life over the last three years of life!

There is so much to do at Stanford, and every moment spent unproductive feels like a burden. Dance, music, sports, art, history, politics, entrepreneurship, health, food - there is sooooo much to learn. Every student I walk past has something great to offer, to this world. There is so much untapped talent all around and a 4-5 quarter masters program does not do justice to this place. To truly become a Stanford student - you ought to be an undergrad here, and if you have missed that slot, then plug yourself into the PhD program. Of course, in the latter, the university leaves the onus of making the best of the place almost entirely on you!

Disclaimer : All statements above are personal opinions and the reader is not obliged to believe them as is :) Ciao !