oo0-madison-0oo

[oo0-madison-0oo]

I just submitted another application!

I feel so weird about it!

One more left before I feel safe relaxing!

[oo0-madison-0oo]

💚🎁🎄 Christmas Day 🎄🎁💚

Well... here we are. This is the final "checkpoint" of the year.

I have a VERY festive workstation setup today. I know I'll want to work on grad apps today, so I set up next to the tree to boost morale. Next Christmas, I know I won't be working on applications at the very least. I'm very thankful to be pursuing another degree.

My mom always asks for me to make her something for Christmas because I loved to draw in high school. I made an oil pastel window drawing. The light illuminates the scratched-out snowflakes and highlights. I don't do much art so I'm pretty proud of it! Peanut Butter (cat) kept me company as I finished it this morning.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

🎄Christmas Eve🎄

I tried not to work, but I couldn't help myself.

I ended up working on my research and two graduate school applications. I did about 4 hours' worth. I feel good about it, and it didn't feel forced.

Christmas is boring at my house, so I had nothing better to do. I got some wonderful food and played with cats. A very chill Christmas Eve indeed.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

My grades this semester!

To preface this, I am unapologetically proud! I work three jobs and have a turbulent personal life. I am posting this to share what realistic good grades can look like. I don't need all As. I am not going to medical school, and I'm not interested in any PhD programs that expect robotically perfect students.

Senior Seminar in Physics: A+

Enjoyment of Theater: B-

Quantum Mechanics A+

Hip-hop and Social Movements: B

Philosophy: Love, Sex, and Sexuality: B

I worked hard to remind myself often that physics is my major, so I should pour into those classes wholeheartedly and leave extra energy for the others. That really paid off for me.

I also learned to be less critical when I cannot meet a deadline. I am learning to accept my flaws as a human. This has been a healthy shift of mindset, and I am better for it. My anxiety level has been more manageable this past semester.

Next semester is the last semester of my undergraduate degree. I will finish strong. I am sure of it. ♡♡♡♡♡♡

[oo0-madison-0oo]

We took a trip in the midst of PhD program applications, and the anxiety I normally get from things like this was delayed. I'm home and submitting them now. There are no words for the way I feel paralyzed but inspired by the process. The stomachache is keeping me in bed, but I'm thinking about all the things to add to my statements before I send them. Whether I get in or not, I'm in for big changes. I just hope I can keep doing what I've always loved to do. I feel privileged as a first-generation student to finish my degree. Let's see where I end up...

[oo0-madison-0oo]

As a full-time student with three jobs, it can be hard for me to take time to relax. This is my favorite moment from fall, back when there were still leaves.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

The research program was rough, but I became better than I have ever been. The fall semester just ended. <3 I'm thankful I've made it this far.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

[oo0-madison-0oo]

This week will be WILD

I'm so ready to move into something that benefits me in financial and career growth.

All the actual work I've done so far has been for money alone. The experiences add to my value as an employee, but not as an astronomer or physicist. Now I'm going to do something that has the potential to bring me money and job-specific valuable experience. I'm so excited.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Packing the car, moving to where the opportunities are.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Mushrooms r cool! Also! I got a research and development sponsorship! Very nice. I feel very excited to go and gain that experience. I've never done anything at a different university, so this should be very fun.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Optical fibers look REALLY cool without coating. This one is just core and cladding, so you can see the light spreading and escaping. This was the highlight of my day last Tuesday. I measured this fiber for an optics lab course I am taking.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Notes and diagrams make me happy. So happy.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Saturday night Check-in time

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Fall Break is in full swing. Everyone say hello to my family's newest cat, Peanut Butter.

[oo0-madison-0oo]

This week was difficult, but the light stayed on.

I'll be posting more as I have time! I had a lot of things preventing me from doing my work, but I was able to redeem the week and finish strong. I wish everyone a similar success.

- Madison

[oo0-madison-0oo]

Me:

*Works really hard all week* *Studies every day*

*Works on assignments daily*

Also Me:

*completes 0 assignments.*

:')