It is a common graduate student paradox: the more pressing the deadline, the more tempting the distraction. As we move into mid-April, the "Coachella vs. Finals” conflict is officially in full swing. Because I haven’t quite mastered the art of being in two places at once, I’ve traded the desert sun for the library stacks. While everyone else is heading to Indio, I will be hibernating at my desk, writing way too many papers and trying to survive the onset of finals season.
I spent this past weekend balancing the quiet roar of my inbox with the very loud reality of three pending assignments. Between the persistent Gmail notifications and the art of professional procrastination, the weekend became a study in managing the “myth of catching up”, a concept many of us use to navigate the rigors of the semester.
On Court Resilience
With March Madness concluding, I’ve found myself reflecting on the grit displayed by this year’s athletes. The University of Michigan’s victory was impressive, but the individual narratives of perseverance resonated the most with me. Elliot Cadeau’s journey is particularly profound; competing at the Division 1 level while being partially deaf is a feat in itself. To then hear he navigated a severe allergic reaction immediately preceding the Arizona game is a testament to a level of fortitude that goes beyond sports.
Similarly, watching Yaxel Lendenborg overcome a physical scare during the Arizona game to return for the final match against the University of Connecticut was a masterclass in dedication. Seeing these players push through physical and situational barriers served as a timely reminder of the mental toughness required to cross our own finish lines, whether it’s on the court or in a research paper.
The 2027 Ph.D Draft
While players begin to announce their entrance into the NBA Draft, I would like to officially announce my own eligibility for the 2027 Ph.D Draft. My “scouting report” is looking strong: I am a straight-A student, I have a sharp focus on my health equity, and my professors absolutely adore me (according to the Shraddha Department). We shall see what they actually write on those letters of recommendation, but for now, the confidence is high.
To the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Department Chairs at UMichigan and UConn: I am officially manifesting a spot in your upcoming Public Health doctoral cohorts. Considering this my formal declaration, I look forward to the possibility of bringing my commitment to the field to your programs next year. The vision is set, and now we just wait for you to say yes!
My Party Trick
Amidst the high-stakes game, I did find a rhythm in my work. After a year of immersion at TC, I’ve developed a specialized skill to execute APA 7th edition in-text citations in real-time. While it may seem like a “niche” party trick, it represents a deeper transition into the scholarly flow required for doctoral-level work. There is a quiet satisfaction in moving through a manuscript without the need for Zotero.
The NYC Shift
Even though the meals in Toronto are a 12/10, I’m actually looking forward to getting back to 120th street and seeing my “Avengers” and profs. They don’t lie when they tell you NYC changes you; the city has its way of rewiring your brain. You get back to campus, and suddenly you want to work, and you want to make things happen. That TC energy is real, and it’s the only reason those three pending assignments stand a chance of getting finished.
The Remote Reality Check
As a Student Ambassador and TC Connector, my “out of office” status is really just a suggestion. I spent a good chunk of my weekend answering urgent emails, creating cool resources for my program, and zoning back in for the insanely chaotic yet extremely fulfilling week ahead.
As I return to the TC grind, the deadlines are no longer being ignored; they are being met. To my peers: if you see me in the library tomorrow, focused intently on my screen, know that I am finally tackling those tasks I’ve been navigating all weekend, with the same focus Grace used to dodge the halls. Coachella will have to wait for the Ph.D era. See you on campus.