After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself. I figured there were only two logical things to do. For one, I could have just hopped on the marriage boat that everyone seemed to be trapping themselves in on, but that seemed too typical for me. The second one opted for a few extra tears, less sleep, and a whole lot more knowledge. So there you have it, at the young age of twenty-two, I somehow found myself drowning in case studies. On a more serious note, I thought that a Master of Business Administration would be the perfect accessory for my entrepreneur state of mind. A year-and-a-half later and I can finally see the MBA getting closer to my signature line.

1. I learned that this is a very temporary part of life.

Of course getting your masters at a much younger age makes the time tick slower. There are so many times I have found myself wishing I could have been like my friend down the street that is living their best life working in a corporate office. Every time I send a big, fat SOS to my parents, they are quick to snap back. Both of them are stern in their encouragement when they repeat, "This is a temporary part of life." It's at that moment that I do not want a corporate job because that means paying off my undergrad loans, and well is anyone really ready for that part of life to hit them? I didn't think so! Knowing that anything you are doing is temporary makes the pain and suffering seem a little less intimidating when you look at the whole picture.

2. I learned to multitask in a whole new light.

Never have I ever been the best at taking on more than one task at a time. Taking on my MBA while working and trying to still maintain a social life is draining. At times, I much rather my reality consists of sitting in bed with a tub of ice cream, but I get over it because I don't have time to soak in my sorrows. You're probably thinking tough life little girl! I know that what I am saying sounds silly. Trust me, I know because there are so many more people sitting next to me in class taking on full-time jobs and families. Honestly, more power to you people because I don't know how you do it. I'm over here trying to juggle little things and still struggling, but I'm getting better at mastering the skill. Before I know it, I'll be on a whole new level of multitasking.

3. I learned how to mentally, emotionally and physically stretch myself.

I would be the worlds largest liar if I said that this program didn't make me cry. I've gotten better at toughening up, but if you could have seen me the first eight weeks of the program you would have been like, "It's a trainwreck and I just can't seem to look away." Sadly, I wouldn't blame you. It took some adjusting to jump outside of my comfort zone. A year-and-a-half ago, my life was moving at a much faster pace then I would have preferred it too. Sometimes you just have to jump on the crazy train and ride it out. When you finally get off and plant your feet on the solid ground beneath your exhausted feet, you feel much more accomplished. Mentally, you will feel drained and satisfied at the same time. Emotionally, you don't know how you can handle anyone else's passions besides your own. Physically, you have to learn to keep moving and busy or your free time will be spent napping.

4. I learned the value of my future thanks to my education.

If you would have asked senior Sara what my life would have consisted of today, I would have definitely confirmed that I would not have been attending college. Also, I would have laughed and lost a bet over grad school that is for sure. You don't have to give me a lecture because I know school is not for everyone, but I would strongly encourage everyone to give it a try. It is like a fun round of speed dating that sucks you in and thousands of dollars later you are asking yourself, "How did this happen?" On the bright side, you enjoyed yourself, made lifetime friends and have a brighter future if you chose to turn that switch on. Unfortunately, I have seen my parents struggle with not having a degree and if getting an education is what secures my future, then you can count me in.

5. I learned that application is most important when opening a book.

Yes, I have six years of books behind me and an entirely clean slate in front of me, but I still have the challenge of applying what I have learned. Going straight from your undergrad to your masters means you aren't losing motivation and you are knocking it out all at one time. The downside is that you are a little less experienced than the person a little older and experienced than you. Taking time out to apply myself has been proven to be a challenge, but not impossible. Once April rolls around, I will officially be marching down the aisle to claim my last and final diploma to decorate my future, fancy office. At that time, I will be jumping into my lifelong career. Taking charge and applying myself in my field now will benefit me when the exhausting season of job hunting comes knocking on my door. Not to sound egotistic, but there are days I sit here amazed at how much knowledge my head has soaked in, but really though, think about it. I know a lot of stuff!

All in all, if you are thinking about continuing your education, do it. As cheesy as it sounds, you must make sure that your heart and mind are in the right place before signing yourself up for a tiring night full of reading. I'm sure my master's degree journey looks a lot different from an adult learner, but that is what makes my trial different. My entire goal was to have the books behind me by twenty-four and I am proud to say that I will have accomplished that in eight short months. I'm proud of myself and I'm glad there have been nights full of tears. Being broken and realizing that you can't catch a break is what stretches you during these times. Thankfully, I have an amazing support system.