Grad school so far

So it has been roughly a month into the semester and so much has been going on. I'll start with my academics, tips I've learned so far and then the fun!!!

Academics

I have ADVANCED Research Methods on Monday, Intermediate Statistics on Tuesday and Personnel Psychology on Thursday. I'm sure your wondering why I capitalized Advanced and nothing else. Well let me start by saying this class or better yet the prof and individuals in the class is a joke. I probably shouldn't be speaking my mind like this but I really feel as though my teacher has no idea what he is teaching, I'm in a class of SOME Clincial Psych students and MOST I/O students and my professor has the nerve to call us "Clinicians" you idiot!, oh and the clinical psych students in the class clearly should not be in grad school! Again, that probably isn't right and I could make this whole post dedicated to my professor but i'd rather not get started. Just know that is only the beginning of a long semester! I pray my brain cells aren't dwindling from this class because I have much more to focus on!

Next, we have intermediate stats. Which is pretty good! My prof is my research advisor so that is a bit intimidating. The class is cross listed for undergraduates and graduates and I hope they can hang in there! I remember being in a graduate stats class as an undergraduate and how intimidating it could be! Anywho, I have had one test so far and I think I did horrible considering I was a stats minor but my colleagues seem to think otherwise. But hey it was the first test so now I know how he test, I should do better next time.

Lastly, personnel!!! By far the most interesting class ever! I'm probably being a bit bias because I consider myself an "I" person and this class is all about the "I" side of I/O Psych. So far we have learned about Job Analysis and conducted a Job Analysis!!! Which was tough at first because it requires a lot of time but the end result is sooo worth it! Just to be able to apply what we learn in this class is so amazing!!! We are starting selection this week, which will be the longest and hardest section of the class and the most interesting because I would love to go into selection of course :). The last section will be Job Performance which should be interesting. So lets see, lets see.... Oh I had my first test! I did pretty well, so I'm pleased!

Tips 

1. If your taking a class that you feel you won't learn much in and there is another professor teaching that course, I suggest switching out!!! If I had the time, I would have! 
2. Definitely study in groups! This way you can bounce your ideas and notes off of each other and if you have any questions then you have someone there to answer them or help you figure them out. i think some students are learning this the hard way.
3. If applicable: If you have a lot of reading to do in a short amount of time, divide the readings up amongst a few people and take detailed notes of whichever readings you have. Doing this will give you less to read and as long as you meet your group and discuss in detail the what you read, you should be ok. 
4. Start projects ahead of time, you never know how long a project will take until you start! 

Fun!!

So my schaumburg cohort and my chicago cohort decided it would be a fantastic idea to go out for dinner and drinks/wind down after each test or terribly draining class. Me being the social person I am, jumped on the occasion. I must say I have had the best times with my cohort hanging out after class. Just talking about the most random things over dinner and sharing good laughs definitely helps reduce the stress of graduate school.

Schaumburg is pretty freaking nice! There is a huge mall and various shopping centers across the street from the school and restaurants everywhere, which is awesome for study breaks! There is also movie theatre about 10 mins away. Some students from my cohort went to see the Help after a long stats class and out to dinner after a test. Oh I can't forget to mention this AMAZING place called westwood tavern,  my friend Alex discovered. Its like a high class sports bar! Big screen TVs everywhere, draft fountains at the tables, couches, fireplaces and awesome drink specials!!!!! 

I had the opportunity to explore downtown and the neighborhoods surrounding downtown, as well as try new food and new atmospheres with an amazing group of people. I'm pretty sure I've found my "click". My click is comprised of a diverse group. The main click is 1 black girl (me), 1 white girl (Chandra) 1 indian girl (Mini) and 2 white guys (Nic & Brendan), and whoever else decides to tag along that night.