In two months, I will be graduating with my master's degree in communication.

I would have to say that graduating with a 4.0 GPA hasn't been an easy feat, but challenging to the point that I might have overreacted and cried at least once and downed a whole bag of Hot Cheetos Fries. Convincing myself to finish the race is literally about putting your mind over matter.

Out of that challenge, I've acquired a lot of rewarding life skills and necessary wisdom for those about to trek the master's journey.

I mean, think about it, you're getting a master's degree. According to Vox, about eight percent of Americans have one. In my book, that makes one a valuable tool to have under your belt.

Here is some wisdom and tips on how to be a successful grad student, based on my experiences:

1. Be a humble, busy bumblebee… before and after you apply.

I was accepted and admitted into the graduate program, received the Minority Graduate Fellowship that paid for my entire master's degree and I got a neat graduate assistantship that fit my professional skills.

So what exactly did I do to make that happen?

I worked my "toosh" off to show I was a hard worker in sowing seeds, but also, I was capable of handling a harvest. A lot of times, you have to keep your head down and work hard without expecting a reward from someone or something.

In my case, I was busy trying to bump my GPA up from magna cum laude to summa cum laude to strengthen my chances of getting a fellowship. If I got the fellowship, "Yay!" If I didn't, "Okay, next time!" I didn't have a chance to complain or explain (a.k.a. brag about) anything to anyone because I was busy trying to grow and push myself.

Would you rather be a humble, busy bumblebee now, or would you rather be a humbled, busy bumblebee later? People notice hard workers before they pay attention to the "I'm-Better-Than-Them" rants on Facebook or in the coffee shop.

When I look at the main reasons why I got the fellowship, the facts were that I had all the aspects of a busy, yet, humble bee had.

I had a paper trail proving I strived for greater, challenged myself and definitely cared about my education. I let my trail speak louder than my voice, something which is highly valued in the professional world.

I invested time into getting to know my professors and references and informing them of my intentions ahead of time.

I didn't sprinkle my cover letters with what I thought the grad school was looking for. Instead, I was honest about who I really was: someone who likes reading National Geographic, designing in Photoshop, being a part of ENMU and isn't finished with her education yet.

Your application should definitely highlight your assets, but also show who you really are going to be as a grad student and what you plan to do. That's why being a humble, busy bumblebee now, helps you become a successful grad student later.

2. Have a GREAT relationship with failure.

Will Smith said it.

Truthfully, I matured intellectually before I matured emotionally and mentally. My foundation with failure was literally made of sand. When any little breeze came my way, guess who was falling apart and panicking about my crumbling infrastructure?

Me.

This point ties into being that humble, busy bumble bee I was talking about earlier.

Sometimes you end up trying to work so hard, be the greatest and become so busy you fall flat on your face. You miss or forget about a deadline. You fail a quiz. You push people away. You say impulsive things. You don't get the job, opportunity or scholarship.

More than once, I did put my foot in my mouth, which I learned quickly from. I learned to think before I speak or act because doing so digs you into a deeper hole. See, I made mistakes, too.

Failure is inevitable, which is why it is important to be humble. Not every star in the galaxy is going to line up the way you expect it. By knowing that, you learn what a great relationship with failure looks like.

When the hard times or the failure comes your way, learn to have that relationship. Don't dilute your thoughts with the fact that you could have done better. Don't spend your time in denial. Take your thoughts captive, and as cliché as it sounds, there is a silver lining and a path destiny will guide you towards.

Accept it, because failure is what makes victory so sweet.

3. Know yourself, your strengths, loves and skills.

I've always been known as "the designer." I love art, design and colors. I like making beautiful things for the eyeballs. Also, I have an active interest in anything about World War II.

So guess what the majority of my communication papers were based on? Holocaust propaganda circulated during World War II because I love design and I'm interested in World War II.

Right now, I can tell you that if I got a degree in something other than communication, I can tell you what my papers, projects and focuses would be on.

If I got a degree in archaeology, I would have studied and researched anything having to do with pyramids around the world.  In psychology, I would have written papers about gang affiliations and its effects on the state of belonging, mindset and feelings of worthiness. With music, I would have liked to study vocal performance as a gospel singer.

My point is, if you do not know what catches your attention or what you are good at, you will not have a fun time in grad school. Grad school is meant to challenge you, expand your skills and thinking and further your knowledge about a certain topic. Know thyself first, and you will have more fun and remember what you learned in school.

One tip I took away from my journalism professor is that if you are bored writing it or working on it, then so will whoever reads it or sees it.