Diary of an Accounting Student

Hello scholars. It’s 2020, a new year for new beginnings. How’s your day going so far?

How are you as a student:

a) with excellent grades

b) active in university activities (e.g. member of organizations, officer of student council)

c) a mix of both

Let me tell you a story:

In my undergrad, I was solely focused on getting good grades. I aimed to graduate with honors. As such, anything that would detract me from achieving it would have to take a backseat. I did not join organizations because these would require so much time which I could instead use to review or keep up with projects. When it comes to group projects, I volunteered to lead my team. I was great as a leader, or so I thought, because my group would always get the highest grade. Always.

A week before graduation, a professor asked our class who have received job offers. A third of the class raised their hands. I didn’t. While I did graduate with honors, I realized that I should have balanced it with networking opportunities. I should have attended more social functions offered by the university. I realized that while grades are important, I should have balanced it with other things such as getting more involved. I should not have only focused on being well-trained, but also on being well-educated.

“I have crossed oceans of time to find you” (Dracula, Bram Stoker).

'I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.'

Can you believe it? It’s the last weekend of October 2019! Woke up extra early today to finish reading and brush up my knowledge with current tax laws. After this, I will be chilling at home and rewatch Lord of the Rings in my pajamas. I have the extended version of the trilogy, which is really cool. 👩🏻‍💻

Getting ahead of midterms week, I’m spending the weekend reviewing. For me, the best iced coffee is the one from McDonalds. So, for this study session, I made sure to get a large cup. 👩🏻‍💻

The past quarters, I have always sported a huge bag to carry my study materials. However, walking around the campus with a heavy backpack has been straining my back. This quarter, I opted for a minimalist school bag and only bring the essentials. 👩🏻‍💻

Currently, my university bag only includes:

*laptop

*chargers

*notebook

*pen, pencil, eraser, highlighter

*calculator

*wallet

Another academic quarter started and I am back at the university. I haven’t set any goal yet when it comes to how I will tackle my reviews. Coming from a long vacation, I’m more concerned with getting back into the groove of studying again. 👩🏻‍💻

Preparing for summer quarter:

Notes.

Mind.

Attitude.

——-—

After cleaning my room, I went straight to study mode. It's the third week of uni life in the graduate program. Taking four classes this quarter is extremely challenging, specially with time management so weekends is mostly spent at home to catch up on homework and reviewing. 👩🏻‍💻

.

How many classes are you taking this quarter?

.

My professor for Business Ethics class gave us a take-home final exam. Though open book, it was time-consuming and very research intensive requiring a lot of reading. In addition, we had to go back to the course material since the first week for reference. But after 5 days, I have turned my paper in. It’s officially spring break!👩🏻‍💻

6 days before final exams: writing the review notes to train muscle memory. When I write, I remember. 👩🏻‍💻

Countdown to finals week begins. The stress of students is already palpable. I am at the library now where almost all the private study rooms are occupied; so, I contented myself in staying at a cube.

I only have one more essay homework to turn in before I review for the finals.👩🏻‍💻

.

Next week will be the last class before finals week begin. So as not to be swamped with deliverables at the last minute, I’m already reviewing and writing drafts for essay as early as now.

I study better with a clutter-free desk. So, before studying , I prepare all the things I think I will need and have those within reach. For example, a calculator, a notebook for my computations, and a pencil. 👩🏻‍💻