An undergrad in one of my classes came up to me and my fellow grad cohort and told us that she was sorry for us having to listen to all their "undergrad babble about the world". She thought we found them annoying because we were grad students and this apparently makes us inherently smarter than anyone else. My friend and I just stared at her for a second in shock--is this real life? We told her that the term "grad student" really just means "more work than everyone else student". Nothing more, nothing less. It certainly does have its perks--parties at grad professors houses, access to the "lounge", and of course the apparent stigma that we are somehow smarter than everyone else on campus because of our title. This is completely untrue of course.
My first day on campus involved me walking around the campus like I knew where I was going while secretly having my gps on to lead me to the building that I was supposed to be in--nailed it by the way--I don't think anyone knew. It involved me taking a horrendous picture for my U card--I was sweating and my glasses were glaring so I don't have eyes and I look wet...oh well.... It involved finding this wicked cool back yard patio thingy at the my main building then finding out that the door locks when you go out there so you have to walk all the way around the building to the front to get back in....worth it. It involved me introducing myself 3 times, telling everyone all about me like I was in first grade, and doing so mostly to the same people. It involved teachers throwing blow pops at me like I was in kindergarten and playing name games on the lawn.
Pluses--didn't trip up any stairs, found the parking lot and didn't hit anything--although I did try to go out the wrong way when I left, found the bathroom, met some pretty cool people.
Negatives: after receiving all of my sylabi-is that a word? yes, or I just made it one because I'm a grad student and I'm smarted than everyone...duh...--I realized that my life will cease to exist outside of school and work. Another plus-my seminar teacher put class on Friday night so that we could all go out drinking together after and get to know each other-quote. And there in lies the difference for me between undergrad and grad--your teachers in grad school will design your schedule to enhance your ability to go drinking with your cohort after class.
All in all, success. Thanks U of M.
