This week has been more stressful than last week. Still working on scheduling things, and it's just not fun. My days keep starting off terribly, and then getting somewhat better.
ISU never received my criminal background check that I did in JULY. I was directed to a specific person at ISU who would help me, and she wasn't very nice. I e-mailed her last night, and her response e-mail was so unhelpful. I cried a little bit. And then I pulled it together. Met with my principal for my school placement, then came back and made some phone calls. Turns out, people outside of ISU are much more helpful. I didn't have my receipt, but between the criminal background check people and the state police, everything is all figured out. So much stress over nothing.
I had no classes today, just meetings galore and homework. On the bright side, I'm SO excited to start my in-school placement and my stuff at Headstart. Obviously, what I can blog about that stuff will be limited. But in general, I'm so excited for the experiences. I'm not even that nervous, though I am sure I will be when it comes down to it. But this I'm excited for :)
Also, my to-do list is getting shorter...though I still need to finish all the homework that is due next week. *sigh* Tomorrow looks....full of homework. Oh, grad school. You win.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Solution: Cake-batter ice cream
I'm doing my best to blog regularly, really I am. I want to, but by then end of my busy day, I'm just so tired. All of my days seem so long (though not in a really BAD way). I just do a lot of things every day.
On Monday, I didn't feel well (probably from breathing in all that acetone while trying to remove my nail polish) so I slept in instead of running. I got up around 8, did some homework, and went to my noon class (Advanced Behavioral Modification--from here on out to be referred to as B-Mod).
I really like B-Mod. We're learning about functional behavior analysis, which is just want it sounds like. When you've identified a problem behavior, you should then figure out what purpose that behavior serves for the child. When does it occur? Do they usually get out of class if they do it? Once you've determined the function that the behavior serves, you can (very strategically) phase out that unwanted behavior and replace it with something more appropriate. Sounds great, but that's literally all I know about it so far. How do I know what function that behavior serves? Observation and data-recording. And as for dealing with the behavior...obviously we've not learned that much. Ha. But I think it's fascinating, and it seems like a very logical way to go about it. My only problem with this class (and my Tuesday afternoon class) is that it's a three-hour course...and I have a hard time paying attention for that long.
Also, class was interrupted when one of the other doctoral students had to leave because of a family member being in the hospital. It was really sad to hear, and we all had a hard time focusing after that. This is one thing I miss about being a child...as a child, I rarely worried that anything would happen to my parents or other family members. Now that I'm grown up, I know that bad things can happen and that no one lives forever. It's just not something I'm sure I'd be able to deal with during my second week of graduate school.
Today was pretty laid-back. I did run this morning (yay me) and then started reading the stuff for next week. I really want to get next week's homework done ASAP because I have a long weekend and I'm visiting family in Ohio...thus, I do not want to be writing papers this weekend. So, I started the reading this morning before class. I had stats at 11, which I'm starting to get annoyed by. I like the professor, really I do. But he does talk a lot, and this stuff is SO basic that we do not need all the examples. Normally I love examples! But we're talking about qualitative reasoning, and none of this stuff is new. It's so hard to focus. I literally take notes (even though I have the slides) just so that I pay attention. Ugh.
My afternoon class went well. Again, a three hour course. Not my favorite. But we do have at least one break in the class where we can get up and stretch, which I appreciate. This class (Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Psychology--which I cannot think of a good nickname for...LEP? I'm going to call it Issues, probably) is very discussion-based, which I have mixed-feelings about. I love hearing what everyone else has to say, and getting a new perspective...I just hate speaking up in class. Our professor is very good about not making you feel dumb--no matter what you say, he's very encouraging, which I very much appreciate. One of my other professors made me feel stupid on the first day of class, and although it was said in a joking way and I laughed it off...it made me not want to speak up. Ugh.
The second half of my three hour class focused on Headstart, since we'll all have a placement in Headstart in addition to our school placements. I'm really excited for this--3-5 year olds that we get to play with. Sounds like it will help me relax (though also stress me out, since I have to connect it with what I am learning).
For Headstart (and the school psych program), we had to get criminal background checks. In an effort to get this done before school started, I made a special trip in July to do this...and the department never received my information. Ha. Must be a joke, right? I'm not paying $54 AGAIN. This is one of those areas where I wish the department was more helpful...I know I'm an adult, but come on. How am I supposed to fix this?! Naturally I was a little frustrated by this, but all was made well later by taking a trip to Cold Stone. Cake batter ice cream makes everything better...and I'm trying to remember that I can't let the little things upset me. This isn't that big of a deal, and maybe once I talk to the right people, they'll find my background check. One can only hope, right?
I am really enjoying graduate school, but it's making me miss Ripon. I like the faculty here, I really do...but no one is as helpful as Ripon. I realize ISU is much, much bigger, but I'd appreciate some help (and maybe a little sympathy) once in a while. I've had to deal with far too many issues already (like a broken computer system holding our stipends hostage...still). Can't things just work the way they are supposed to? None of my stresses are actually about school...it's just about tedious things that aren't working. And I can't do anything about it...which is probably the worst part. Such is life, though. I probably just need to let go of those things and focus on the things I CAN do.
On Monday, I didn't feel well (probably from breathing in all that acetone while trying to remove my nail polish) so I slept in instead of running. I got up around 8, did some homework, and went to my noon class (Advanced Behavioral Modification--from here on out to be referred to as B-Mod).
I really like B-Mod. We're learning about functional behavior analysis, which is just want it sounds like. When you've identified a problem behavior, you should then figure out what purpose that behavior serves for the child. When does it occur? Do they usually get out of class if they do it? Once you've determined the function that the behavior serves, you can (very strategically) phase out that unwanted behavior and replace it with something more appropriate. Sounds great, but that's literally all I know about it so far. How do I know what function that behavior serves? Observation and data-recording. And as for dealing with the behavior...obviously we've not learned that much. Ha. But I think it's fascinating, and it seems like a very logical way to go about it. My only problem with this class (and my Tuesday afternoon class) is that it's a three-hour course...and I have a hard time paying attention for that long.
Also, class was interrupted when one of the other doctoral students had to leave because of a family member being in the hospital. It was really sad to hear, and we all had a hard time focusing after that. This is one thing I miss about being a child...as a child, I rarely worried that anything would happen to my parents or other family members. Now that I'm grown up, I know that bad things can happen and that no one lives forever. It's just not something I'm sure I'd be able to deal with during my second week of graduate school.
Today was pretty laid-back. I did run this morning (yay me) and then started reading the stuff for next week. I really want to get next week's homework done ASAP because I have a long weekend and I'm visiting family in Ohio...thus, I do not want to be writing papers this weekend. So, I started the reading this morning before class. I had stats at 11, which I'm starting to get annoyed by. I like the professor, really I do. But he does talk a lot, and this stuff is SO basic that we do not need all the examples. Normally I love examples! But we're talking about qualitative reasoning, and none of this stuff is new. It's so hard to focus. I literally take notes (even though I have the slides) just so that I pay attention. Ugh.
My afternoon class went well. Again, a three hour course. Not my favorite. But we do have at least one break in the class where we can get up and stretch, which I appreciate. This class (Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Psychology--which I cannot think of a good nickname for...LEP? I'm going to call it Issues, probably) is very discussion-based, which I have mixed-feelings about. I love hearing what everyone else has to say, and getting a new perspective...I just hate speaking up in class. Our professor is very good about not making you feel dumb--no matter what you say, he's very encouraging, which I very much appreciate. One of my other professors made me feel stupid on the first day of class, and although it was said in a joking way and I laughed it off...it made me not want to speak up. Ugh.
The second half of my three hour class focused on Headstart, since we'll all have a placement in Headstart in addition to our school placements. I'm really excited for this--3-5 year olds that we get to play with. Sounds like it will help me relax (though also stress me out, since I have to connect it with what I am learning).
For Headstart (and the school psych program), we had to get criminal background checks. In an effort to get this done before school started, I made a special trip in July to do this...and the department never received my information. Ha. Must be a joke, right? I'm not paying $54 AGAIN. This is one of those areas where I wish the department was more helpful...I know I'm an adult, but come on. How am I supposed to fix this?! Naturally I was a little frustrated by this, but all was made well later by taking a trip to Cold Stone. Cake batter ice cream makes everything better...and I'm trying to remember that I can't let the little things upset me. This isn't that big of a deal, and maybe once I talk to the right people, they'll find my background check. One can only hope, right?
I am really enjoying graduate school, but it's making me miss Ripon. I like the faculty here, I really do...but no one is as helpful as Ripon. I realize ISU is much, much bigger, but I'd appreciate some help (and maybe a little sympathy) once in a while. I've had to deal with far too many issues already (like a broken computer system holding our stipends hostage...still). Can't things just work the way they are supposed to? None of my stresses are actually about school...it's just about tedious things that aren't working. And I can't do anything about it...which is probably the worst part. Such is life, though. I probably just need to let go of those things and focus on the things I CAN do.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Small-town fun :)
So, Friday's get-together went quite well. I always make plans, start to dread them, and then end up having a good time. I didn't dread this event, but I did get a little nervous about it. Anyway, by 7 pm, everyone who was in town came by. We hung out and played Apples-to-Apples, and talked. I didn't get to bed until almost midnight.
On Saturday, Natalie and I met Claire, Beth, Marissa, and Lynda at the Sweet Corn Blues Festival in Normal. We wandered around and checked out the street vendors. It was like a mini-fair, without the rides! Plus, the corn was 50 cents an ear (for cooked corn, that is) and the first one was free for ISU students. Delicious.
After the corn festival, I came back and worked on homework. I had 11 things (chapters, pdfs, etc) to read for one class, and 4 chapters for another, plus a reaction paper on those 11 readings. Ha. So, basically I spent most of Saturday reading.
Natalie had to run home for a while on Saturday, so I studied and then ran to the grocery store. We had some chicken, so I decided to make parmesan chicken. I was, however, lacking ingredients. I drove to Kroger (since it's only a few miles away!) to get stuff and also to drop off recycling. I was almost in an accident on the drive there, making that the fourth time this week that people have almost HIT ME. Can no one drive here? This is ridiculous. I love having everything close by (that novelty has yet to wear off) but I HATE the drivers around here.
After nearly being hit, I was a little stressed so I decided to bake. A bit random, I know, but I found this recipe on StumbleUpon for chocolate chip truffles, and they look so good. I kept forgetting ingredients, so I ended up running to the store THREE times. Ugh. But, both the truffles and the chicken parmesan turned out great. Score one for me :)
On Sunday, I continued to read. So exciting. At 4:30, Christine and I went to the Annual School Psychology Picnic. I did not really want to go--I would just like some free time for myself. Natalie had too much to do, since her family stuff took up most of her Saturday, so she didn't come. After a slow beginning, I ended up having a really good time at the picnic. We played games, had a white elephant silent auction, and ate food. The weather was great and the people were fun. So, all in all, a good choice.
One last thing I really wanted to do this weekend was remove my nail polish from Becca's wedding. The lady at the salon informed me that I would need to use pure acetone. However, she did not inform me that it would take me FOUR HOURS to get all this stuff off. I had to soak one finger at a time. Let's just say, tonight has been less productive than I would have liked.
Luckily, I don't have class until noon tomorrow. I'll be getting up to run, getting some random things done, and possibly painting my nails. I almost have more time than I know what to do with...almost.
On Saturday, Natalie and I met Claire, Beth, Marissa, and Lynda at the Sweet Corn Blues Festival in Normal. We wandered around and checked out the street vendors. It was like a mini-fair, without the rides! Plus, the corn was 50 cents an ear (for cooked corn, that is) and the first one was free for ISU students. Delicious.
After the corn festival, I came back and worked on homework. I had 11 things (chapters, pdfs, etc) to read for one class, and 4 chapters for another, plus a reaction paper on those 11 readings. Ha. So, basically I spent most of Saturday reading.
Natalie had to run home for a while on Saturday, so I studied and then ran to the grocery store. We had some chicken, so I decided to make parmesan chicken. I was, however, lacking ingredients. I drove to Kroger (since it's only a few miles away!) to get stuff and also to drop off recycling. I was almost in an accident on the drive there, making that the fourth time this week that people have almost HIT ME. Can no one drive here? This is ridiculous. I love having everything close by (that novelty has yet to wear off) but I HATE the drivers around here.
After nearly being hit, I was a little stressed so I decided to bake. A bit random, I know, but I found this recipe on StumbleUpon for chocolate chip truffles, and they look so good. I kept forgetting ingredients, so I ended up running to the store THREE times. Ugh. But, both the truffles and the chicken parmesan turned out great. Score one for me :)
On Sunday, I continued to read. So exciting. At 4:30, Christine and I went to the Annual School Psychology Picnic. I did not really want to go--I would just like some free time for myself. Natalie had too much to do, since her family stuff took up most of her Saturday, so she didn't come. After a slow beginning, I ended up having a really good time at the picnic. We played games, had a white elephant silent auction, and ate food. The weather was great and the people were fun. So, all in all, a good choice.
One last thing I really wanted to do this weekend was remove my nail polish from Becca's wedding. The lady at the salon informed me that I would need to use pure acetone. However, she did not inform me that it would take me FOUR HOURS to get all this stuff off. I had to soak one finger at a time. Let's just say, tonight has been less productive than I would have liked.
Luckily, I don't have class until noon tomorrow. I'll be getting up to run, getting some random things done, and possibly painting my nails. I almost have more time than I know what to do with...almost.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
And the latest adventure begins!
So, it's official. I've started graduate school. Actually, I'm almost done with my first week! I have one class tomorrow morning (unless I find out before 10 that I passed the competency exam to test out...no guarantees there). About this week--it's been almost completely overwhelming.
I finished moving in on Sunday, and went to dinner with the other school psychology graduate students. I barely had any time to settle in, and then I had my first class Monday morning. That one wasn't too difficult, and then I went to Noodles for lunch. I'm not quite sure why I was so nervous, but I was. I had Advanced Behavior Modification from noon until almost 3. I'm definitely nervous for this class, since I've never even taken a regular behavior modification class. But it's largely discussion based, and that's something I can do...once I am comfortable speaking up.
Tuesday morning I had statistics, which was amusing. The prof has a sense of humor, and although he can be long-winded, I like him. Stats could be boring...this isn't. He says we'll be doing a lot of technical writing, and that he is a "grammar bitch" but I'm not the least bit scared about that. My sister (who just got her first real job, teaching English!) is the most strict person I've ever met when it comes to grammar. I actually feel prepared for this class.
I also had my legal/ethics/issues in school psych class, which looks like it's going to be a lot of work. Most of these classes are only once a week, so it can't be too terrible. But I'm told my schedule will really fill up, with a two-hour block of field work at an elementary school, a two-hour block at Headstart, and two one-hour blocks for meetings, in addition to my classes and my graduate assistantship.
I will say that the older students are really nice and supportive. They've all told us that we'll be just fine (whereas the professors warn us that we'll come to them crying in a few weeks) and I'd much prefer to believe that I'll be fine. I probably have one of the better schedules--my school placement is close by, and my graduate assistantship is very simple. I'm just taking care of small tasks, as needed...and I haven't even been needed yet. It's disconcerting that I am hardly working at all, after working 3 jobs last year.
I would really just love for my schedule to be set in stone. I hate trying not to forget all the necessary meetings and stuff, and I can't wait until things settle down. I'd like to feel more organized, really. Today I took a competency exam to hopefully drop a class, which would give me more free time. I'm not really that confident, as I mentioned earlier. We were told that only one person has ever not passed the exam and I don't want to be the second. I'll know soon enough...but it just doesn't seem SOON enough!
Tomorrow, my roommate and I are having a small get-together at our apartment for all the first year school psych students. We haven't had a chance to really get to know the specialist students, though they seem really nice so far. Natalie and I want to be on good terms with everyone, and this week has been so exhausting that it's hard to be social. People are coming over around 5 tomorrow to just hang out and get to know each other. I'm pretty excited. Speaking of which, I am loving my new apartment AND my new roommate. It's surprising how much we have in common, and it's just been a lot of fun getting to know each other. We had a good heart-to-heart yesterday, which was rudely cut short by the appearance of a big spider on the sofa. We both freaked out a little bit, and it took us about half an hour to kill it. But then we went out and bought bug killing spray..and called maintenance today to have them spray for spiders too. Ha. I am pretty pleased with how quickly maintenance has helped us with everything--it only took them one day to replace our dishwasher, which I was quite impressed by.
Suffice it to say, despite being stressed, nervous, and confused, I am having a really good time. This weekend, we are going to check out the corn festival in town. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the apartment, for something OTHER than school. More updates to come soon, hopefully :)
I finished moving in on Sunday, and went to dinner with the other school psychology graduate students. I barely had any time to settle in, and then I had my first class Monday morning. That one wasn't too difficult, and then I went to Noodles for lunch. I'm not quite sure why I was so nervous, but I was. I had Advanced Behavior Modification from noon until almost 3. I'm definitely nervous for this class, since I've never even taken a regular behavior modification class. But it's largely discussion based, and that's something I can do...once I am comfortable speaking up.
Tuesday morning I had statistics, which was amusing. The prof has a sense of humor, and although he can be long-winded, I like him. Stats could be boring...this isn't. He says we'll be doing a lot of technical writing, and that he is a "grammar bitch" but I'm not the least bit scared about that. My sister (who just got her first real job, teaching English!) is the most strict person I've ever met when it comes to grammar. I actually feel prepared for this class.
I also had my legal/ethics/issues in school psych class, which looks like it's going to be a lot of work. Most of these classes are only once a week, so it can't be too terrible. But I'm told my schedule will really fill up, with a two-hour block of field work at an elementary school, a two-hour block at Headstart, and two one-hour blocks for meetings, in addition to my classes and my graduate assistantship.
I will say that the older students are really nice and supportive. They've all told us that we'll be just fine (whereas the professors warn us that we'll come to them crying in a few weeks) and I'd much prefer to believe that I'll be fine. I probably have one of the better schedules--my school placement is close by, and my graduate assistantship is very simple. I'm just taking care of small tasks, as needed...and I haven't even been needed yet. It's disconcerting that I am hardly working at all, after working 3 jobs last year.
I would really just love for my schedule to be set in stone. I hate trying not to forget all the necessary meetings and stuff, and I can't wait until things settle down. I'd like to feel more organized, really. Today I took a competency exam to hopefully drop a class, which would give me more free time. I'm not really that confident, as I mentioned earlier. We were told that only one person has ever not passed the exam and I don't want to be the second. I'll know soon enough...but it just doesn't seem SOON enough!
Tomorrow, my roommate and I are having a small get-together at our apartment for all the first year school psych students. We haven't had a chance to really get to know the specialist students, though they seem really nice so far. Natalie and I want to be on good terms with everyone, and this week has been so exhausting that it's hard to be social. People are coming over around 5 tomorrow to just hang out and get to know each other. I'm pretty excited. Speaking of which, I am loving my new apartment AND my new roommate. It's surprising how much we have in common, and it's just been a lot of fun getting to know each other. We had a good heart-to-heart yesterday, which was rudely cut short by the appearance of a big spider on the sofa. We both freaked out a little bit, and it took us about half an hour to kill it. But then we went out and bought bug killing spray..and called maintenance today to have them spray for spiders too. Ha. I am pretty pleased with how quickly maintenance has helped us with everything--it only took them one day to replace our dishwasher, which I was quite impressed by.
Suffice it to say, despite being stressed, nervous, and confused, I am having a really good time. This weekend, we are going to check out the corn festival in town. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the apartment, for something OTHER than school. More updates to come soon, hopefully :)
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