You read that title correctly.

"Stay Woke for Grad School"

Don't do what I did, if at all possible. It will save you a lot of stress. I mean, if desperate times call for desperate measures, do it. Mainly don't do it. But...stay woke for grad school.

Senior year, most people know if they need to go to grad school or not. There are those majors where it's pretty obvious, like, psychologists or communication disorders people. They basically automatically go to grad school. Art majors like me...eh, not so much. Like, I'd be fine getting a job direct after college- graphic designers will always be in demand.

There were a few times in the fall where I thought, "would grad school be beneficial?" But I never really thought about it much. I mean, I had seen one of my friends get a similar job I had in mind right out of college and he was doing fine. I thought: same.

So how'd we get to me writing this article?

After some consideration and much alone time over the holiday break, two days after Christmas I decided I needed grad school. Not only for the masters in the areas I'd applied to, but also for the experience a graduate assistantship would give. Since so many jobs posted in my desired career path would say, "must have yay much years of experience" I thought "this would give me more experience."

So, yeah, it may take you a little more time to think (or realize) I NEED GRAD SCHOOL, but stay woke. Stay vigilant.

1. Research & Deadlines

FIND YOUR DEADLINES FIRST. If you're like me and jumping on towards the tail end, you need to know and LIVE by that deadline. Get your deadlines and get your research done for what program you're going to do. Sometimes it's not even close to what you're doing now. That's fine.

2. Know your limits

Know your limits financially. Each school is going to charge an application fee (usually $50). Plus there's a fee for when you send your official transcripts. So don't get too crazy sending in a million applications to a million different places if you're not going to be able to pay all the application fees.

Know your limits academically. I don't mean this in the sense of what you've done in school so far, but more "how many letters of intent or purpose statement or portfolio compilations can I get done in so much time to reach each deadline" because each place you apply to wants something different.

Know your limits timely. How much time do you need to get everything together? How much time do you need to write those letters of intent? DON'T BE A SLEEPER when it comes to grad school apps.

3. Know your connections.

Who's going to be able to write those letters of recommendation? Who can you count on to paint you in the best light possible? Mostly they're going to ask for academic references. Also, make sure these people have enough time to write- they have lives too- and keep them updated on THE WHOLE SITUATION (highlighted below).

4. Things will change.

Things will change. Especially if you're jumping in late like me. You may have researched the wrong program, or you're not liking the sound of one program you decided on. You may decide one deadline is coming up WAY too soon, or you could just be like "nah fam this isn't what I'm feeling."

Things like this come up, and you just have to flow with it. AND KEEP YOUR REFERENCES UPDATED ON THE ENTIRE SITUATION.

5. Keep grinding and slay.

Keep filling stuff out. Keep writing your purpose statements or compiling your portfolio. Keep grinding on it and don't let up until you got it all done. Because, believe me, if you're playing this like I did, there will be times you've wanted to just stop because you're thinking "nah, this ain't me" but it is. It's a viable opportunity. YOU CAN DO IT.

You just have to finish.

The guy in the Michigan singlet is you. The guy on the phone is your grad application(s). Take 'em down.

But it's better to have a head start. So, like, if you're thinking grad school and it's early on, get on it, then you're not straight grinding like I am right now.

Go Cats.