![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.harvard.edu\/janavalkovich\/files\/2021\/05\/nick-fewings-1zJkgcOS0is-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Struggling to fit my ambitions, some time back I walked into a place where any ambitions\u00a0hardly stood\u00a0out. Harvard and my journey as a psychology student and researcher created a precious world parallel to those of my professional and private. Living the experience showed that \u2018studying alongside working\u2019 evokes questions about its purpose and possibility. While many would agree that studying is challenging and pricy, only a few would acknowledge that the currency is life itself.<\/p>\n
Willingness to pay such\u00a0a\u00a0price reflects deep intrinsic motivation bringing moments of\u00a0pure\u00a0elevation and energy to thrive. Nevertheless, observing reactions of the environment can leave you wondering. Some would proudly look for an opportunity to support the cause, and often get inspired to challenge their own comfort zones. Some would do the contrary. Different minds see the world differently and it might not be a coincidence that my professor with his humored equanimity would often leave me a note saying: \u201cGood luck!\u201d<\/p>\n
Here is what \u2018studying alongside working\u2019 can look like:<\/p>\n
The excitement of the opportunity leads to strengthened determination and perfected time management,\u00a0helping deliver high-quality\u00a0results\u00a0at work and school<\/p>\n
Spending countless sunny days locked in solitude,\u00a0make the question \u201cHow was your weekend?\u201d often awkward to answer<\/p>\n
After a long day at work,\u00a0you find a bucket of energy fueled by your fascination with the studies and by the fine humor of the professors and fellows<\/p>\n
Sometimes you get disappointed and the situation can become grueling. This is when you ask yourself what is that you stand for, what is the common denominator of all your\u00a0deeds,\u00a0and what will be important in five years. Answering these questions before losing sight of the forest for the trees pays off<\/p>\n
Not everyone understands that\u00a0studying\u00a0can become a part of a person\u2019s life,\u00a0as\u00a0do jobs, spouses, children, pets, or hobbies. Such misunderstandings are saddening\u00a0and yet, somehow reinsuring<\/p>\n
The power of your support system and the humbling moment when \u2018the giants\u2019 call to offer their help fill you\u00a0up\u00a0with a sense of reverence for knowledge, opportunity, and leadership<\/p>\n
Finishing my fifth term, where the precedent four I did next to a full-time job, I\u00a0can say\u00a0that the made sacrifices\u00a0are big and also not mine alone. But despite all, I still wonder, if I could ever really escape whatever it is in me,\u00a0that\u00a0is hungry and\u00a0keeps me reaching for more.<\/p>\n