Uncensored Musings [from a graduate student finding her purpose]: The Sequel

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month but I do think it should be considered all the time. These last few weeks I have learned more about myself including my all overall mental health as a graduate student and young adult. It is also important for everyone to think about during the pandemic as well. As a society, many of us are used to being busy all the time and struggling with stress. We often fail to see how it takes a toll on our mental and physical health. I have also noticed kids are impressionable and they learn early on these same habits. One of my goals I have to work on how to work with my ADHD and getting accurate testing to determine if there is an underlying learning disability.  One of the common things with ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, and chronic illnesses is that depression, anxiety, and mental health challenges can occur alongside them. Many people (not all) are prone to developing symptoms of anxi...

I am ecstatic and relieved that my final academic paper is finally complete. I do have the hurdle of finishing a proposal, completing an IRB, and writing the thesis left.  But I do have some thoughts I have on have ADHD, anxiety, and sensory issues and going forward, whether as a researcher or academic. Sometimes, I wish life would come with a manual. Like the books that tell women what to expect during pregnancy. In all my years of learning and interacting with people with ASD, ADD/ADHD, mental health, and other differences - I have learned no two people are the same. We all have commonalities but differ - like how genetics make-up varies (unless you are identical twins). I grew up in adverse situations which did affect me in subtle ways, such as having selective mutism, being hypervigilant, experiencing obsessive compulsive tendencies, and anxiety attacks. These subsided once I was able to get out of the situation and unmasked underlying challenges, especially academically. ...

It has already been four weeks since everything happened, which has been quite a roller coaster. It is crazy to think how casing started increasing the first week of March and the school rapidly emailed us and many hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipe stations cropped up around campus. Then the conferences scheduled for April were cancelled and slowly but surely classes were evacuated, campus closed, and we have shifted to online learning. This past month has been quite the adjustment, both academically, physically, and emotionally. Online classes have been more challenging for me due to being a hands-on learner, needing structure, and avoiding extensive reading. When you are alone - it is easy to notice your own challenges and feel "stuck." I noticed I was having a hard time with font on a test and was frustrated with myself - when in all reality, it is okay to ask if I could adjust the font. I had to set up positive reinforcers to motivate me (like music, drawing, video cha...

I never in a million years would have imagined living through a pandemic like this. A lot has transpired since my school evacuated on 3/12 and may be a while until we are done with a state mandated "stay at home" order. I  will be honest, this feels like a cross between a science fiction movie and a history documentary. I have researched some of the basics on the virus and it has been interesting. I have previously mentioned it is a real life "Invasive Species"  in terms of the virulence of this virus and how quickly it spread. I have also learned what goes into managing a pandemic - which the last one of this nature was in 1918/1919. However, I have taken time learn about epidemiology & microbiology... Oh I guess, even politics, sociology, and the implications associated with health psychology. Things I have learned > Many people are asymptomatic (The microbiology and immunology nerd in me really wants to know how this happens) > Symptoms are so m...

A week ago, I would have never anticipated all the events to unfold with the new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Wuhan, China is still feeling the effects of being "locked down" and is slowly becoming active. Many countries in Europe are doing quarantine after Italy had a lot of new cases. Lastly, the United States is in a state of emergency. States have rapidly cancelled schools for at least two weeks, dining in restaurants have been stopped, nursing home have limited visitors, and grocery stories have reduced hours. These are going to change our lives, including our mental health. I wanted to hit on this topic because I noticed that it was affecting me beyond the typical concerns (jobs, classes, thesis). Up to the initial announcement of closures, I became very panicked and it seemed random at first. My [new] adviser had a trip booked for Jamaica for spring break and I was very anxious about her going. I knew the quarantines were happening and I know she is older. I pani...

Coronavirus, COVID-19, quarantine, travel restrictions, Wuhan, school closures, presumptive cases - these are some of the buzz words that I have heard in person, read on npr or nbc.com, or seen on passing social media posts and memes. As an aspiring researcher for vector-borne diseases and microbiology, I have been researching the facts and science behind the pandemic - which means there are lessons for everyone to take from it and apply going forward - as long as we remain calm during this ordeal. I do feel that COVID-19 is much more publicized than I remember H1N1 being in 2009/2010, when the flu strain had affected my age group more than what is predicted currently.  Compared to 10 years ago, social media is more widespread - with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, so many others. Everytime I go onto a social media site, I see posts related to the pandemics, including school closures and events cancelled. Also, being in the sciences, I know the biotechnology is way more ad...