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1 Year Down, 4 To Go: Life Update

And just like that, my first year of graduate school was complete! I can NOT believe that I survived it....but then again, how could I possibly doubt myself? #HumbleBrag


After my first committee meeting! :)


I have learned sooo much this year, not only academically, but about myself personally. This has been quite the journey. I know that I have been MIA for a while now, but I am back and excited to have the time to blog some more. I have so much to say and so much to update you guys on with my life. If you're not already, follow me on instagram (@12bre45) to keep up with the latest. I post most frequently there.

But in the meantime, here is a quick life-update

Graduate School 

This first year has been amazing. I completed my second semester with all As, had a great first committee meeting (which I will write a separate post about), and I have made some great strides in my research. For those of you that are new here, I go to the University of Mississippi and I am working on my Ph.D in Chemistry, with a focus on organic chemistry in biomedical applications. More specifically, polymer chemistry. My dream is to be a cosmetic chemist and maybe even have my own cosmetics line one day! This semester, I worked really hard in strengthening my organic chemistry and really taking control of my academic career-- afterall, I will be expected to know this stuff when I'm done here. I've figured out how to make all of this applicable to my life. I have always been very goal-oriented, but this past semester, I have taken goal-setting and achieving to a whole new level! I am so excited to continue my research, start collaborations, and work towards my degree in the coming years. 
Now don't get it confused, I definitely had my fair share of struggles. For example, selecting my committee members to follow me throughout my graduate school career was one of the toughest and most important decisions of my life thus far. I even applied for a fellowship, and as some of you know, got my first publication. And how can I forget the tragic scheduling of my first committee meeting the same day I had an exam and another presentation in separate classes? Seriously, would NOT recommend. Those were definitely trying times for me. But I overcame and here I am, a survivor. Like Beyoncè! lol

Personal Life

This year, I have had the most fun I have ever had, by far! My younger brother flew to Oxford to visit me! My sister has come to visit. I've had the opportunity to travel a lot more with my amazing boyfriend. I have been living the life. If you read my Goal Digger post, then you know that my major goal for this year was to just do what makes me happy and makes me feel good. And I have been doing exactly that! I've recently made the life decision to be vegetarian (also mentioned in that last post) and I have been loving it. There will be a new section on my blog dedicated to all the new foods I have been loving as well. Super excited about that! I have also been working out (when I have the time) and have come to truly love myself; flaws and all. I know that I am not perfect, but as long as I am happy.... what else matters? I am sooo excited for this next chapter of life.

To-TEA-ly Bri

I have to admit, I have definitely dropped the ball when it comes to blogging regularly. I am going to make more of an effort to remember to write occasionally, even if it's just to check in with you guys. 


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