My Time Here at Stern

It sounds cliche to say that the 2 2/3
years here at Stern went by just like
that. On some level this was true and
yet there were times where it felt like it
would be a never-ending journey. During
the first year, graduation felt like a distant
goal. Time was instead spent getting to
know other Sternies, studying for exams
and figuring out how to juggle school with
a full time job. During the second year, as
the core classes were done and I began
picking electives, it struck me that I was
halfway done with my time here at Stern.

Where had the time gone? I now wanted
to make sure I experienced everything that
the Langone program had to offer in the
time remaining. I went through
LPDP/LRP, took a class with Sternies outside
of NYC, made sure I took classes that
came recommended, and became more
active in student government. Now with
less than 1 week left to go until I’m done
with classes and just a couple of weeks until
commencement, I find myself thinking
that I need more time to do that one other
thing that I’ve heard good things about.

Funny how that works out. It’s been a great
ride and part of me will miss the grind of
juggling classes with work, the long days at
work after staying out too late at a happy
hour and the feeling of dread that came
with studying for a class final. The other
part of me will now try to figure out what’s
next now that I have all this free time.

Do I think I have some meaningful
insight for current students? I’m not sure.

The Langone program is large and varied
enough that everyone will have a different
experience. Here’s what I wish someone
would’ve told me when I started.

Be involved. Do something! Be active in your
club. Join PTLF (or one of the committees)
It’s a good way to meet other students and to
get (more) value out of the program.

Travel with Sternies. Go on a DBI, treks,
or one of Chernoff ’s Operation classes.

It’s fun and educational.

Enjoy the ride. Graduation for you will be
here soon enough. Take the classes that you
want to take and not the classes you think
you “have” to take. With only a limited
number of classes until graduation, the last
thing you want to do is regret taking a class.

The last thing would be to get to know
your fellow students. You’ll be with them
for a number of years and there will be
times when you see them more than you
will see your significant other or family.

Try talk to your classmates about something
non-academic in between draft
revisions or study questions.

I’m sure there are other things that I
missed but hopefully this will help make
your journey through the program just a
little bit easier.

I’ll hopefully see some of you at the next
PTLF event.