A week in the life of a 2nd year student
If you haven't guessed it by now, the 2nd year student is none other than moi (aka Steven, who is writing this post). Some things to keep in mind while reading this:
- I'm not a morning person and like to sleep in so my days begin a little later.
- I'm taking 16.5 credits and working this semester so I'm doing a quite bit of running around. Talk to enough people at SIPA and you will hear some pretty hectic schedules (i.e 2 jobs, 5 classes and is in 3 groups ?)
Everyone at SIPA (especially 2nd years) has a "rough day"...and for me, a rough day is the day that most of your classes are on. All that intro to say that my rough day is Monday: 3 classes..... 6 hours........ 2 sips of water (if I'm lucky).
Monday:
2:10pm: I start my Mondays off with Decision Models and Management, a super interesting operations management class with a lot of excel optimization model building. This is one of my favorite classes this semester, and I'm learning a lot. The professor, Lucius Riccio, is funny and smart. Homework every week though so I spend a lot of time working on that -- despite that, highly recommended class. 4:00pm: I walk about 20 steps to my next class Cyber Threat Intelligence. Another interesting class, lots of insightful reading. I find myself looking up random malware and Youtube-ing videos on how to hack and learn more about vulnerabilities or past hacking incidents. LOTS of Acronyms. 4:05pm: Stomach loudly grumbling in class. 4:10pm: Get some gummy snacks from the vending machine. (PRO TIP: Get a locker and put snacks in it or bring snacks in your bag for your rough days. #dontstarve) 6:10pm: I crawl to my last class, Community Economic Development. I learn all the things about how affordable housing is financed. 8:00pm: Fin 
Tuesday:
A WAY LIGHTER DAY THAN MONDAY!!!! My school day doesn't start until 6:00pm (International Trade)! I usually spend Tuesdays working on Decision Models and cleaning out my inbox (email inboxes fill fast at SIPA. There is A LOT going on). Two days into the week and I'm already fatigued. I burn my incense and play a lot of R&B at home. After Mondays, I need a day to decompress and exfoliate.
Wednesday:
From 11am to 5pm: I am at Admissions working and writing blog posts for all you beautiful people, as I am currently doing right now as I write this. After work @ 6:10: International Political Economy class 6:15pm: Stomach growling again. 8:00pm again:
Thursday:
Just working at Admissions from 11am to 5pm, writing more posts and answering all your questions on SIPA! 5:01pm: 
Friday through Sunday:
A mix of more incense, more R&B, endless readings and problem sets, more sips of water, more gummy snacks and building up the will and core strength to do it all again next week. 
Note from Admissions: For those applying, Steven will be online to answer your admissions and student life questions on Wednesday, December 4. Check your email to RSVP for our live Q&A.