Introspective Musings: What I Have Learned in Graduate School Thus Far...
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 nature preserve is) to get pictures (and later taking the egg case to have for spring - hard to recall what she took). And as I am taking medical/veterinary entomology - I will never forget her persistence on me taking practical entomology (I mean, this ranged from mapping the courses that would allow me to take it, telling me about the neuroscience of spiders, and just asking) but I am glad she did. It coupled well to go with my interest in diseases (especially environmental health related ). Also, I can't forget the fact Dr. H saw potential in me as early as my freshman year (suggested I should pursue graduate school because of my interests being very advanced at an intro level) and allowing for me to research and shadow under her. Her classes also had a guest lecturer, Dr. B. H. who really sparked my interest in pursuing... Medical Entomology.
2.) Along with the ability to explore and learn in undergrad... I also gained leadership skills. I will be honest, I don't see myself as a leader. I tend to be soft-spoken, passive, and really always want to maintain harmony. YET... I had a work-study in public relations that allowed me to work with everyone all over campus - ranging from different first-year seminars, psychology department, and getting coverage of different events on campus. I learned to collaborate, get out of my comfort zone (I get overwhelmed in crowds), and of course, writing, interviewing, & editing. Also, I did supplemental instruction for Spanish my last year at Catawba and it helped me gain confidence. This was a lot different than just tutoring one to one which I did as well. I had to prepare lessons, go to the classes, and work with different students and what they needed to help them learn the material better. I didn't realize at the time it would also help me now. Since starting classes, I have studied with my close friend K since we have all of the same classes and I ran with the idea of a study group for my parasites and human health class. I wind up being the one quizzing (while walking around as one does), brainstorming ways to absorb the information for myself and my friends, and it also really reinforces my interest to become a professor one day! I enjoy leading my peers, especially with my overdramatic antics.
3.) Humor... I have always had a sense of humor that no one gets... it can range from dry, nerdy, to laughing at my quirks. This has helped the transition because I have been nervous and just want to do well. I enjoy telling people that I had to google my class (true story) because the campus map wasn't accurate - and it turned out I was not oriented in the right way!
There will definitely be more lists and adventures coming up... In addition to what I will be writing on in the future! Stay tuned for more adventures <3
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 nature preserve is) to get pictures (and later taking the egg case to have for spring - hard to recall what she took). And as I am taking medical/veterinary entomology - I will never forget her persistence on me taking practical entomology (I mean, this ranged from mapping the courses that would allow me to take it, telling me about the neuroscience of spiders, and just asking) but I am glad she did. It coupled well to go with my interest in diseases (especially environmental health related ). Also, I can't forget the fact Dr. H saw potential in me as early as my freshman year (suggested I should pursue graduate school because of my interests being very advanced at an intro level) and allowing for me to research and shadow under her. Her classes also had a guest lecturer, Dr. B. H. who really sparked my interest in pursuing... Medical Entomology.
2.) Along with the ability to explore and learn in undergrad... I also gained leadership skills. I will be honest, I don't see myself as a leader. I tend to be soft-spoken, passive, and really always want to maintain harmony. YET... I had a work-study in public relations that allowed me to work with everyone all over campus - ranging from different first-year seminars, psychology department, and getting coverage of different events on campus. I learned to collaborate, get out of my comfort zone (I get overwhelmed in crowds), and of course, writing, interviewing, & editing. Also, I did supplemental instruction for Spanish my last year at Catawba and it helped me gain confidence. This was a lot different than just tutoring one to one which I did as well. I had to prepare lessons, go to the classes, and work with different students and what they needed to help them learn the material better. I didn't realize at the time it would also help me now. Since starting classes, I have studied with my close friend K since we have all of the same classes and I ran with the idea of a study group for my parasites and human health class. I wind up being the one quizzing (while walking around as one does), brainstorming ways to absorb the information for myself and my friends, and it also really reinforces my interest to become a professor one day! I enjoy leading my peers, especially with my overdramatic antics.
3.) Humor... I have always had a sense of humor that no one gets... it can range from dry, nerdy, to laughing at my quirks. This has helped the transition because I have been nervous and just want to do well. I enjoy telling people that I had to google my class (true story) because the campus map wasn't accurate - and it turned out I was not oriented in the right way!
There will definitely be more lists and adventures coming up... In addition to what I will be writing on in the future! Stay tuned for more adventures <3
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