At the beginning of the new year, I avoided telling myself that this was a new year so I needed to unlock a “new me”.
Instead, I told myself that this year would be my rebuild year. The year where I did really hard things simply because I am capable of doing really hard things.
So, in the spirit of challenging myself, I decided to go back to grad school (after having “dropped out” a year ago), I started taking my photography side business more seriously AND I deemed this the year that I take Tarleton Bound and Tarleton COGS to the next level on YouTube. Don’t even get me started on my 2026 Goodreads reading goal!
With all that said, I’ve slowly but surely found a way to effectively navigate work, school and everything in between all while avoiding having my usual mental breakdown.
NAVIGATING WORK
If you haven’t guessed yet… I work full-time here at Tarleton State University! My official title is Content Marketing Specialist in the Department of Enrollment Management. However, when I’m explaining what I do at a family BBQ, I say that I am a social media marketing manager, content writer and photographer.
This is my DREAM job but at times, it can get a bit overwhelming. The world of admissions is never ending. As soon as we finish marketing to one class, we immediately shift gears and start communicating with the next.
My saving grace? Workplace chit chats! Sometimes simply being in the office and being able to chat with my friends helps alleviate some of the stress that comes with working in marketing – specifically social media marketing.
Being able to step away every once in a while to shift my focus and remember why I love what I do is imperative. I think the same can be said for people that don’t necessarily love their jobs. As long as you never lose your North star, you’ll never permanently fall into the VERY NORMAL workplace slump.
NAVIGATING SCHOOL
Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room…
Yes, I did originally drop out of graduate school. I always told myself, and anyone who asked, that I would NEVER go to grad school because I just didn’t want to.
However, two weeks before graduating with my bachelors degree, I applied (and got accepted) to graduate school. If I’m being honest, I enrolled for all the wrong reasons but nevertheless, I persisted.
After a summer spent stressing about whether I’d get a full-time job or not, I landed my first job in corporate America. My corporate career was short-lived and within a year, I was FINALLY able to land a job here at Tarleton State. (BLEED PURPLE!)
In the blink of an eye, my life was changing. My boyfriend and I had to move closer to Stephenville which meant I would be moving, starting a new job and continuing my education. I needed a break!
That “break” turned into a year of simply enjoying my job, my life and my new apartment. Once the 2025 commencement ceremonies began, I felt like I had missed out on making myself a better person.
It wasn’t until this year that I decided I couldn’t live with the regret of having never gone back to school after previously committing myself to do so.
My first course back was a 4-week winter minimester and I couldn’t have asked for a better reintroduction into my program. That class gave me no choice but to jump in head first and now that December is only 8 months away, I feel more motivated than ever.
The winter mini course taught me how to get my work done without starving myself of life’s everyday wonders like sitting poolside with a good book, date nights with my boyfriend and spending time with my family (our lazy orange cat included).
I’m the most Type A person I know but I have to approach grad school with a “one day at a time” mindset in order to keep my emotions at bay! (It has made all the difference).
AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
As if working full-time and being in school part-time wasn’t enough, I am also a part-time photographer!
When I’m not working, doing homework or snapping photos, you will absolutely find me trying to stay on top of my 2026 Goodreads reading goal.
Reading a few chapters of my book before bed has been another great way to effectively manage my time during the day. It’s like a much needed brain break, especially after working on any managerial statistics homework!
So now to answer the age-old question of how to navigate work, school and everything in between. The simple answer is balance. Find time to do the little things you love so that you can power through the hard times like midterms or finals!
Ready to forge your own path to graduate school?