Sarah Sylvan

Hey Caffeine Gremlins,

This morning, I Door Dashed one of my all-time favorites: an Iced Madagascar Vanilla Latte from Panera, and let me tell you, it was delicious. Sometimes I worry that the flavoring added to an iced coffee might be too overpowering, but Panera always strikes the right balance between flavoring and coffee. 10/10 recommend!

Please name something more magical than opening up a university’s acceptance letter on your computer and seeing digital confetti fall down your screen. Excitement bursts out of me when I read “It’s with great pleasure,” which is how I envision Disney adults feel as they walk down Walt Disney World’s Main Street for the umpteenth time. Although I would rather have $40 churros and the intense desire for ten pairs of colorful Mickey ears, now I’m signing up for a future of paying off student loans. But I’m trying to keep a positive mindset, so we’ll set aside that existential dread for later.

Last week, when I logged into my application portal for the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, I saw that I’ve been accepted into their online college to study marketing. A smile settled on my lips as my brain hummed with possibilities. I knew then that the acceptance letter displayed on my computer screen was the start of an entirely new academic, professional, and personal journey.

My nerves about starting classes in September, just a month away, have been quietly gnawing at me. Since I was just accepted into the university, I haven’t enrolled in any courses yet. I recognize that all of the pieces will fall into place by the beginning of the semester, but it’s difficult to shake the feeling that I’m already falling behind. When it comes to planning ahead, my habits have always been a weird mix of stressing until my hair falls out or else forcing myself to fall asleep in order to escape my responsibilities. Unfortunately, I’m taking summer classes at my local community college, so I won’t be able to sleep through the next few weeks. Maybe once I start color-coding my new academic planner, everything will begin to make sense.

My first undergraduate diploma is currently burning a hole in the bottom of the “miscellaneous basket” I left it in. I graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. While I enjoyed many aspects of my experience at GMU, from my solo dorm room freshman year to joining a sorority, I also graduated feeling unfulfilled. Due to various reasons, including social strains, health concerns, and the COVID-19 lockdown, I didn’t gain as much from my experience as I’d hoped. This time around, I’m planning to do things differently by prioritizing my health, achieving good grades, and getting involved in school organizations and events.

One thing I’m really looking forward to is joining the Charlton Women in Business organization. I’m a sucker for female empowerment and girl-on-girl bonding. I’ll just need to get over my fears of networking (what if they don’t like me? Or if, God forbid, I’m not dressed to impress?), but I’m thoroughly looking forward to the opportunity to connect with and learn from other women in the field.

Additionally, and I know I’m about to sound like a nerd, I’m very passionate about conducting undergraduate research. That’s never something I’d have conceived of doing when pursuing my previous degree, but it’s a change I’m set on making. I’ve been brainstorming topics for potential research papers, and I’m excited to explore how marketing has shifted in today’s political climate. To secure approval for research, I’ll need to find a professor who is willing to serve as my mentor before writing a grant proposal for my project. The idea of working closely with a professor excites me because I’ll be able to not only learn more about conducting research, but I’ll also get another level of support as I embark on my field.

Lastly, I’m eager to secure a new marketing internship. While pursuing my first degree, I participated in a couple of social media marketing internships that I felt were great opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in the field and develop new skills. Since college, I have been working primarily in social services, specifically with underprivileged children in the foster care system. My experience working with these youths was life-changing, and I will be forever changed by these children and their stories. I know I’m at a point now, however, where I’d like to get back into a creative field like marketing.

There’s a lot for me to be excited about as the school year quickly approaches. I am very nervous about all that it will bring: difficult classes and high expectations. I want to be more involved in my community, but I also want to ensure I’m not spreading myself too thin. I know I need to pace myself and listen to my mind and body, as they will tell me when to slow down. As the year progresses, I can always reassess my priorities.

With love,

Sarah Jo