I haven't updated in awhile because it has been C R A Z Y busy between my LEND obligations, class, and beginning clinic this week, but overall things are going pretty darn good; Monday marks the 5th week of school beginning... insane, right?
I have chosen by research topic for my LEND project as well as my CAT project for my research methods class... I'm going to be looking at Goal Attainment Scaling as a possible assessment tool for students who are taught through use of iPads. I began my literature review last week and I already have a good 15 articles stored that I have to dissect and put in my evidence matrix. This stuff is so much work, but its a means to an end. I am super excited to present my findings next year at the LEND research presentation day.
Class is going lol, I wasn't feeling swamped with things until this week. Perhaps this is because of clinic beginning, I don't know. In any case, I am finding that my brain just simply shuts down after a certain point in the evening. I went to bed at 8:00p on Thursday because I just couldn't keep my eyes open any more. Things aren't all that negative, however. I had my first exam as a grad student on Friday and I am fairly certain (cross fingers) that I did well on it. It is interesting getting to know new professors, their teaching styles, and personalities, it would be way different had I gotten in to EC where I know all the professors and what to expect; not knowing is proving to be a very fun adventure though. I am super excited to be writing a research paper for my acquired disorders class on mTBI and blast related concussive injuries.
This leads me to another piece of news: I may be beginning another research venture next semester with one of the audiology professors, she is studying mTBI and blast related concussion in the military and its connections to CAPD (central auditory processing disorder). I am way way way excited about this as I have decided that I would love to do my CFY (clinical fellowship year) which is sort of like a residency for a MD, at a level 1 trauma center such as the VA in Minneapolis, but as I have only completed 4 weeks of grad school I have 23 months to contemplate where I want a CFY to take place.
So I might be biting off more than I can chew, but I see grad school as a time for me to be way too busy, stressed, and soak in every opportunity I can possibly conceive of, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
Clinic is just so much fun. I can't wait for the day that I just have to do clinical things and not school work, yes I know, paperwork is horrible as a practicing SLP, but working with patients is worth it I am sure/I hope. ;) I am working with 2.5 clients this year, which is an increase from the 1.5 clients I worked with as an undergrad. The .5 means I only see that kiddo once a week. All my clients are above the age of 10 which is a change from working with primarily toddlers - elementary aged students. This semester is going to be difficult in that I will have to do more adaptation of myself to fit the needs of my clients... I am very loud and large meaning I love to talk (sometimes loudly), am straightforward, direct, and move kind of fast when I converse... my clients for the most part have processing issues so I will have to adapt myself to slow down so they have time to think of an answer before I move on to another thought. Its things like this that I really need to learn before I head out into the real world. I love my supervisors and the whole clinical atmosphere, they are so laid back and willing to help. The only negative thing is that I do not enjoy having to drive 45 minutes twice a week to get to clinic, this is slowly getting stressful and really makes me appreciate days when I don't have to drive.
In non-school news I miss WI, my friends, and family a lot, but am slowly meeting new people and starting new friendships with some awesome people here. My biggest worry in moving down here was that I wasn't going to have any friends and I would be pretty my alone through these 2 years of grad school... yes I have Phil, but having others to help you with questions on homework or discuss speechy things with is just such a blessing (yes, Phil is a blessing too)... I can try to talk to Phil about this stuff, but he just doesn't (understandably) understand.
Wedding planning is still trucking along. I think I have a good idea as to what I want, now the trick is figuring out how it is all going to happen. My mom and aunt are going to a wedding fair this weekend so hopefully they come back with lots of ideas as to good vendors, etc. They are going as future wives (fiancees) lol.. I hope they have a ton of fun!
Anyway... that's pretty much all for now. I will try to update at least when something big happens or honestly when I get spare moment.
I will leave you with graduate school tip #1: Save EVERYTHING that is professionally relevant. I wish I had done so in my undergrad as it would make inputting all my professional experience into my KASA so much easier. Anyone have an idea as to the short courses that were at the 2010 ASHA Convention in Philly? If so, please let me know. :)
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