Johanna, 2023 Summa Cum Laude in International Security

When I started at PSIA, I found it challenging at first not to get overwhelmed by the many overlapping deadlines. The strategy that worked best for me was mapping out my assignments each semester to plan when I should start working on them. That helped me take some days off even during the busiest times and relax a bit. Whenever possible, I also chose to work on topics related to the internships I completed, or other classes I have taken. This way I could both study a topic from a new perspective and build on my previous knowledge and experiences.

During my time at PSIA, many of our professors and the guest speakers they invited gave us insights into their careers in a variety of fields. Their advice on how to succeed and the skills and theoretical knowledge they taught us will undoubtedly be very useful in my career. As I was able to complete several internships during my gap year and third semester, I am also leaving PSIA with more work experience, more practical knowledge of different career paths, and a larger and more diverse network. 

First, be open to trying out new subjects and learning about issues from different perspectives. If you want to learn about conflict resolution, take a class taught by a diplomat, another by an NGO worker, a military officer, or an academic to get a fuller and more differentiated picture. Second, don’t try to tackle all the stressful deadlines and big decisions alone. Rely on your friends and classmates to discuss your ideas, meet up in the library or a café to study, and take some time off between assignments to de-stress and enjoy yourselves! The other students will be your greatest resource for support, ideas, advice, and fun.