2/13/04–I have been spending the past couple of days gathering more information for my options after graduation. I take a lot of time just seeing what the job markets are like in different U.S. cities, as well as all over the world, using probably hundreds of online resources. I have pretty much decided for sure that I will be waiting two years before entering grad school, although the location of my potential grad school will be a big factor when I decide to move to a new city.

Also, I have been trying to put together a list of contacts, including past professors, employers, and acquaintances who might have the kinds of connections I will need. Like it or not, they will receive my resume soon. I definitely need all the help I can get…

2/12/04–I have been a Government major since I started attending Sac State and chose International Relations as my focus not long after. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Not only am I able to study something I am passionate about, but I have had the opportunity to take classes with professors who have truly inspired me. I don’t think I could have been half as ambitious without their support. Unfortunately, there are too few of us who can say the same.

The ideal college situation consists of great professors, interesting classes, and bright classmates who challenge you. Having the latter is great, but it is the two former that can make or break a class or even a degree program. I have been so spoiled by my department that now, as I finish up the classes in my minor and a few GE classes I can’t help but be a little apprehensive toward my current professors. If I had it to do over again, I would schedule at least one class every semester with a professor I knew I could trust to challenge and provoke me, as well as appreciate the classes so as to get the most out of them.

2/11/04–One of the difficult things about the transition from college is the status of current relationships. I am still in touch with only 2 or 3 people that I went to high school with. Will I end up the same way with my college friends? We would like to think no, that we would all stay in touch, live near each other, and maintain our friendship; but drifting is inevitable. For most of us, our old roommates will become people we once knew rather than the lifeblood of our social lives. Our college romances will only be a happy (or troublesome) memory of more childish times. In my case, I will be separated by distance from many of the relationships I have made. My former roommate, who is also one of my best friends, will be heading off to law school, another close friend is moving to Germany, and many others will be taking jobs on the other side of the country. As for everyone else, I will eventually leave them behind for my own pursuits. Either way, it will never be the same. While this harsh reality is sinking in, I am going to be sure to make the best of our last days as college buddies.

2/10/04–Hopefully, at some point, almost every CSUS student will reach graduation. Obviously some will take longer than others, but in general we all look forward to it. However, it has always seemed like some obscure future event that would happen, but just not any time soon, like when you are 8 years old and you throw a curtain over your head and wobble around in your mom’s high heeled shoes: You look forward to getting married, you expect it to happen, but there’s still no need to worry about the date, the groom, or your future children.

2/09/04–So basically, graduation is not just an abstraction anymore. Of course, because I am finishing college I am supposed to have some sort of plan. Well I don’t. Being the queen of indecision, I change my mind constantly and if it were up to me, no one else would ask what I plan to do after I graduate. Grad school? Job? Move out of state? Peace Corps? Retirement? I have answered ‘yes’ to every one of these questions at least once and I still have no definitive answer on any of them. Am I really that far behind?