Lessons On Being A Graduate School Wife

There is so much I could say about being a graduate school wife. Chiefly, you gain an extra spouse in the relationship. No, not a person but a program! I knew when we moved here 8 months ago to Cornell, that this would be a major life change. Perhaps one of the hardest. Of course, we moved up here wide eyed, excited and ready to experience something new. Chris and I both had always lived in Louisiana. Leaving our families behind was definitely and still is the hardest adjustment. We had all of these grand plans of travel, lots of time together as a family and the chance to create new friendships. The latter part actually has happened, and I am super grateful for the wonderful friends we have made. They have made the transition easier in a lot of ways. As far as the travel part goes and loads of family time, that has yet to happen, but I am optimistic! 🙂

Here is what I have learned nearly a year in to this graduate school wife life. First, your husband is NEVER finished with school. Never. He may have a bit of a break but there is always that other paper coming down the line, the group projects that are never finished, and the all night study sessions. I truly had no idea how intense this year at Cornell would be for Chris. He has done incredibly well and I am super proud of him. We are waiting to see where his internship will be this summer!

The second lesson I have learned or rather am learning, is to give up my expectations. When we moved here, like I said earlier, we had all these grand ideas of what life would be like for our little family.  A lot of those ideas have not panned out.  You know what?  That’s OK.  That is called life!  I like to think that I am easy going, but at times this year I have been anything but that!  By relinquishing my expectations of what I think this season of  life should look like I am becoming a happier version of me.  🙂

Finally, I am learning to bloom where I am planted.   Moving here terrified me in a lot of ways.  The strict budget, the loneliness, lack of family and space have all been issues I have had to deal with.  Finding contentment and my joy outside my circumstances but in God has built my faith and challenged me in fresh ways.  I noticed a few years back that I was always waiting for the next big moment.  One day I woke up and realized I would eventually waste my life away living that way.  Since that moment, I have tried to bloom in the season I am in and not look too far down the road.  I purposed not to wish for the next chapter,  OK, maybe I wish the snow would disappear, but I’m betting this is the season I look back on one day and say those were my best days! George and I have gotten closer if that was even possible! He is my best little buddy and I have so enjoyed having this one on one time with him.  He knows how to give me a hug and kiss on my sad days.  God knew that I would need his sweet little self during this time in life!

All in all, as we near the end of the first school year here, Ithaca, has treated us well.  The beauty here is breathtaking and if I am being honest, I am super thankful I get one more fall here! 🙂 I would love to hear if you are a graduate school wife and how you have dealt with the sacrifice.  Drop me a comment below! Thanks for stopping by!