anneconnell

Say it with me people, D-O-N-E.  Wow.  I fell like a huge weight has lifted.

I also feel very lucky to have worked with Nick, ZQ, Varnali, and [yes, even him] Paul this summer.  I learned so much.  Even though I felt very old being around a bunch of bright young things [age range of 23-28], whom did not share my lifestyle (husband, kids, job), I am so glad I went through with the project.  For the most part, people treated me with kindness and respect.  I was even “sought out” on occasion for my input, which made me feel fabulous!

Since the project was funded by my boss, I feel like the value of the experience can be added directly to my  job.  How cool is that?  He’s awesome.  Most importantly, Mike was on board with this and supported me entirely.  I am a lucky girl.It always seems that I’m on the difficult path toward a destination, but that makes arriving there so much better! At least, this is what I choose to believe.

Here are some lessons I’ve learned from Grad School:

• Never go part-time
• Don’t have kids along the way
• Never leave a good lunch in a ’shared’ refrigerator
• If you do, seal it in a plastic bag and mark it “live sample” with a date that is a week old — no one will touch it
• Do not fall asleep on a ‘public’ couch, not unless you have your own blanket and pillow to put your head on
• Group Projects are about group conflict and how to resolve it in an optimal way
• Grad students will eat anything for free [only sleep deprivation trumps this]
• Do NOT complain to another grad about what you owe in student loans, for they also have debt
• Presentations matter more than final artifacts (at least in a Masters program, not so much for PhDs I hear)
• Take lots of pictures of your process, you’ll need it – nothing provides better context than a picture of you/group doing the work
• Never say user testing isn’t needed.  That’s like trying to say you will “un-know” your own code.  For example, once you saw Bruce Willis die in “The Sixth Sense” you can’t forget it.  Search out users for objective input and you’ll be surprised at what they point out – this will make your product better!!!!!
• Sleep is overrated
• If you do have kids, accept that you won’t be the best mom or dad during this time of your life but you’ll do much better later, you’ll have guilt to sustain a lifetime
• Grad school allows you to make wonderful contacts in an area you are heavily interested, be good to these people
• Appreciate the feedback, especially the negative feedback, this will make you better at whatever it is you do
• No feedback is a bad sign
• Try to reach out to the person that is the harshest critic,  this way you’ll arrive at a refined solution earlier
• Every person on your team serves a purpose and has value to contribute, you must be willing to adjust when necessary

That’s all, for now…