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Part 2 in my Self-Care in STEM series is all about the self-care techniques that helped me get through grad school. (Part 1 was on my self-care in undergrad & my first job out of college – read Part 1 here)
Grad School
After working at my first job for 3 years, I left and moved to Philadelphia for grad school. I attended Thomas Jefferson University, and was one of the first students to ever go through the Master’s in Forensic Toxicology program. I definitely felt the stress add up as the semesters went on, so finding ways to take care of myself throughout it all was crucial, and one of the main reasons I didn’t give up.
The number one thing I did for myself in the beginning of my master’s program was not having a job. I saved a few thousand dollars from my previous job so that I could take the first semester off from work. That gave me the chance to focus on school more and get to learn about my new city.
Something I had to do during this program was relearn how to learn. I struggled with some of my classes and taught myself the material, which added more stress to my plate because I was doing it on my own. I had a problem with asking for help (still kinda do but I’m getting better with it), and when I did ask I didn’t really get the help I needed, which made me not want to ask again. Trying to break that bad habit and find the help I needed when I needed it was hard for me in the moment but definitely worth it in the end.
Once I went through my savings and knew I needed a job, I didn’t want one that would take a lot of mental work. I purposely got an “easy” job when compared to my master’s program, and started working at Sephora in the mall. I started as a cashier, which I’ve had experience with since high school, and eventually became a Skincare Consultant. Working there really felt like I was giving my mind a break, and I knew I needed that and wouldn’t have been able to handle a science-based job.
It was only recently that I started paying for cable, so my main form of entertainment was watching YouTube videos as if it was TV. Whether I was watching beauty videos and following along, or just watching someone play a video game and scream at the screen (I see you Markiplier), it was my way of relaxing and turning off my brain for a bit.
Just like in undergrad, changing my environment was a big help to me throughout grad school. I took so many trips into the city, or stayed in the city longer after class just to hang out and see new things. If I didn’t have too much going on, I would make it a point to look up interesting things in the area and then make the time to go see them.
Current Job
February 2018 is when I landed my current job as a forensic scientist. I’ve kept up some of the same self-care techniques as before (doing my nails, watching YouTube, taking trips into the city), but I’ve also added some new ones over the last couple years.
One small but fun thing I started doing more: buying plants! I’m not a full-blown plant lady just yet, but I currently have 2 pothos that are thriving and an aloe vera plant that I haven’t killed. It makes me feel really proud to know that I’m taking care of something else, and being able to see them grow and flourish when I figure out exactly what’s best for them (maybe that’s a metaphor for what I’m doing for myself too)
This isn’t talked about a lot, but finances can be a huge part of your self-care practice. Now that I have a full-time job, I gave myself a fun budget: each month I set money aside in a separate checking account and I’m allowed to spend that money however I want. Sometimes I save up for a couple months and spend it on concert tickets; other times I go shopping at Target and don’t mind going overboard on household stuff and cute t-shirts (check out this Target haul where I found a BUNCH of great clothes on sale). I still owe a ridiculous amount in student loans, but I think it’s important to have some fun along the journey to becoming debt free.
One practice I implemented really well in 2019 was going to at least one fun event a month. I’m definitely an introvert and homebody, but I love the feeling I get going to events that really mean something to me. I did paint night with my coworkers, went to the Millennium Tour and screamed my head off when B2K came out, attended Tomi Adeyemi’s book signing event for Children of Virtue and Vengeance (read my thoughts on that event here), and more things I can’t even remember. Having something to look forward to that I knew I’d enjoy, even if I had to push out of my comfort zone a little to get there, helped me to grow as a person and feel more balanced in my life.
There it is! A bunch of things I’ve done over the years throughout my STEM journey to look out for myself. Some were more simple and inexpensive, others took planning and saving money – all of them helped me feel less stressed in one way or another. Self-care will look different for each person, but it can also look different in different stages of your life. Embrace whichever stage you’re at, and do the best you can with what you’ve got.
Watch Part Two on IGTV
I hope reading about the self-care techniques I used helps you create your own self-care routine! Whether you’re still in school or already in your career, taking time to look out for yourself is crucial.
