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

It is crazy to think that I am a month into my master's program and that it all started with a bold decision to email a potential advisor last year about this time... So far, I have learned quite a bit about myself and what it means to start pursuing a future in academica... and only 12 hours away from what felt like "home" for me... 1.) I guess I never thought about the impact my undergraduate had on me, but there are so many assets I have brought with me into this chapter of my education. Because of a few professors (among many at Catawba) taking an interest in their students' lives, I was able to experience hands-on learning & an opportunity to explore different areas. I recently emailed Dr. C with a spider I found and thought about her noticing I had a piqued interest in spiders - and providing opportunities for me to learn and appreciate them. The day she asked me to come with her to show her where the green lynx spider was (which was way out past the nat...

Wow - it has been a month since I have blogged and I am excited to sit down and finally blog! I started classes on August 28th. This semester I am taking 3 courses: [Advanced] Stream Ecology, Medical & Veterinary Entomology, and Parasites and Humans Health.  I have had to change my mindset with these classes because these are only 10 sh, but they do encompass more work than if I was talking this load in undergraduate (which would be considered under a full course load).  In addition to the normal studying, term paper, and lab reports, graduate students are also expected to do a supplemental paper & presentation to show working knowledge.   Central Connecticut State University is a very nice school and the campus is easy to get lost on - but I have finally figured my way around - as long as I don't consult their map (I was more confused by the numbering that it is easy to get lost following the map. However, I did get turned around and used google maps...