Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Beginning of Grad School...


This begins my fourth week as a fulltime grad student, and already I have learned more than I could have thought. Just a little over three weeks ago I was sitting in my orientation overwhelmed with all of the information, research, and people. During my orientation, the director of my program said, “90% of what you will learn here, will be outside of the classroom,” at first I found that hard to believe, but now I can see why. I have learned a lot about myself in just a short amount of time.

As a grad assistant, it is part of my duties to teach labs, and I am assigned to teach in the anatomy lab. Let me tell you, my first day, I was so nervous, I made myself sick. Then one of my peers told me “they (the students) are more intimidated/nervous than you,” and it helped to an extent. I ended up doing okay, but now that I have gotten more practice, I have gotten more confident, and it is getting much easier. One of the difficult things is getting over the fact of being wrong, because let’s face it, I cannot always be right. Being wrong is okay, as long as it does not become a habit. And with anatomy, I tend to get things mixed up or wrong on occasion, but now I can brush it off a little easier than I could before. This semester will probably be one of the most difficult one for me teaching, because, I haven’t taken anatomy in five years and I need to brush up on and become more confident with the material. The subsequent semesters, teaching wise should be easier in comparison.

Another item that I have to work on is finding a mentor and get started on research. Thankfully I started this summer meeting with faculty to get idea of what I wanted to do, so I am a step ahead. But the hard part is figuring out who I want to work with. All the faculty are fantastic, but two of them I really like the research they are doing. So I ended up deciding the one that I think will challenge me the most. I don’t have a strong background in the ‘hard sciences’ and my experience with research is very different from what they are doing, so it will be challenging, but I am confident I will learn a lot. SO since classes started I have gone to the lab to learn the techniques and everything that goes into the data collection. The first day I went in to learn how to do blood draws, and I watched a second year student go through the procedure as my professor walked me through it. Then when she was finished, he had me practice, talk about nerve racking. Needless to say, I did well and got it on my first try! I have since started on doing the processing of the blood to get the cells, plasma, and serum that we will further analyze. It is a lot to remember, but getting the procedures down is the hard part and I can use all the practice I can get. These first two semester I am primarily going to be helping with data collection for the second year students’ projects as well as the professor’s projects, which will give me time to figure out what I want to focus on for my project.

One of the most difficult things thus far has been trying to figure how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while as a grad student. My class are long and at night, which makes planning dinners and exercise a bit more difficult. So far I have found that exercising in the morning, typically CrossFit or yoga, helps get my day off to a good start. Running I find the best time in the afternoon. As for eating healthy, I try to pack a lunch and dinner (on nights with class), so one, I am saving money by not buying food on campus, and two, it is significantly more healthy than the food on campus. Grocery shopping takes planning to make sure I am getting healthy food and not spending too much. But once I have healthy foods I just prepare and package them, so they are ready for me when I head to campus. Making sure I have healthy food and exercise are my top priorities, because it is hard to focus when on an empty stomach, and I am also in a much better mood. Another one of my top priorities is sleep. I need my sleep, or else I really fell off. A lot of time I feel like an old lady, because I am typically going to bed at 9 – 10 o’clock. But I start my say early working out then teaching, so I have to get enough sleep to feel rested.

Overall, grad school is going well, it has just taken some adjustment to find my niche in how to get things done.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

The Pursuit of Education

I am in the process of applying to various masters programs. There are so many things I am considering in this future endeavor. Part of me wants to just pick up and move and start my life in a new city away from the home and the life I have grown to know. Another part of me wants to stay closer to home and my family, but I feel I would be cheating and cutting myself short on my potential. I am beginning to realize the important decisions I need to make and the things I will need to give up in this pursuit.

Already, my pursuing education has ruined a few relationships, and I don’t doubt that it’ll ruin more. I know, that is kind of negative thinking, but, who am I kidding, it is the truth. There will be many people that come into my life that will not understand the sacrifices I am making why they are important to me. As of now I have no idea where I will be one year from now, at least geographically, and it has scared people off.

Anyways back to education. I have always made my education my top priority. And the thought of grad school scares the hell out of me. Moving on to bigger and better things sounds easy enough, but every step from here on out will affect my future in some way or another. Some may be side steps, steps backwards, but the majority will steps forward into an unknown oblivion.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

20 Things you don't know about me...

Below is a list of 20 things you would know about me if you looked at me.

1.      I am very competitive

2.      I love sports ( I will watch just about any kind)

3.      I love to dance, although I made not be the greatest at it
 
 
      4.      I am very sarcastic

5.      I am fascinated with serial killers

6.      I love chocolate milk!
 
 

7.      I tend to overthink and overanalyze everything

8.      I dislike it very much when people are racist

9.      I am a huge Doctor Who fan
 
 

10.  I absolutely despise the winter

11.  I own a car that is a manual transmission and I love it

12.  I love gory movies/tv shows (i.e. Game of Thrones, The Alamo, etc.)
 
 

13.  I have had the hiccups everyday for the last 4 years (most of the time they come in threes)

14.  I have a lot of useless information

15.  I am a diehard University of Michigan fan
 
 

16.  I can out belch any man (this is not usually on purpose)

17.  I know a lot of movie quotes

18.  I really like coats (I have several)
 
 

19.  I own tools and I know how to use them (My parents made a point to teach my sisters and I how to use them )

20.  I will be a doctor (either MD, DO, or PhD I have yet to figure that out)

 

Monday, October 28, 2013

College: The best years of your life?


I have heard many say that the time you spend in college will be the best 4, 5, or 6 years of your life. But are they really?

For many, college is the first time when they are finally on their own. This is a huge adjustment. I had a rough time in the transition, I am close with my family and living away, took some getting used to.

I was very naïve when I started college. I have come to the realization that I was quite sheltered growing up.

Most of the stuff you learn in college is not necessarily from a class. You will learn what kind of person you are and what kind of person you want to be. You will learn about other people who grew up very different from you. You will learn about the world, and what kind of place it really is. You will also learn to communicate with peers but also faculty.

One of the great things about college is that you can immerse yourself in many things. You can try new things and explore options that you may have never considered otherwise. You will have so many decisions to make about what kind of people to hang out with, what extracurriculars to pursue, what program to pursue, etc. The decisions you make in college can positively or negatively impact your future.  
Fifteen things I have learned (in no particular order):

1.      Just about every history class you have taken up to college lies to an extent (especially when talking about Native Americans)!

2.      You will become deprived from sleep at some point (especially if you have orgo).

3.      It is okay to change your mind (I changed my major and I will be here 5 years, both things I was determined would not happen), that is purpose of college.

4.      Find a student group! This will really help in finding a place where you belong.

5.      You have to be able to survive on cheap food (you can find ways to make ramen and mac & cheese more gourmet, just give it a try).

6.      Working two-three jobs in addition to school is hard, and I would not recommend it, but I need food and a place to stay)

7.      You have to work hard and put in the effort to succeed (hard work does pay off. Use all the resources at your disposal).

8.      At some point you will have a professor that you hate, but you have to work extra hard in that class to get the grade.

9.      Find an outlet, for me it is working out. You need to plan this into you weekly schedule.

10.  You need to get a planner or an online calendar to keep everything straight (believe me, I always would just remember things, but there comes a point when there is just too much going on).

11.  Find something you are passionate about, and pursue it.

12.  Be open-minded and open to change (it is going to happen)

13.  You’ve got to get used to tight quarters (the residence halls are very tiny and crowded, but you can make the most of it)

14. Set up a budget (trust me, living in a college town is pricey).

15. College is a fresh start, make the most of it, Be yourself!

            With all of this added responsibility, how are these the best years of your life? You have all this added stress and pressure to find out what you want to do and where you want to go. For those who plan on pursuing more education, you work your ass off to get where you are, and there is always the chance that it may be for nothing. Something has got to give; whether it be sleep, social life, grades or family.  I will be honest I am not the greatest student, I don’t have the best grades, and I will most likely not have the best test scores, but what I do have is perseverance, determination, and passion.

                        College is like a chemical reaction, it may take some time and experimentation, but once you find the right concentrations you will have the perfect balance.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Poor choices have consequences


I am to the point where some of the decisions people make do not surprise me. But the results of their decision can have life altering consequences.

Last Saturday I received a phone call from my stepdad in the middle of the night. I was half asleep and still groggy, but this was a huge red flag; I can remember thinking that something bad must have happened. Sure enough it did. My younger brother was in a car accident. Mind you, he is twelve but about the size of a nine year old. Miraculously, he and his friend were both okay. His friend suffered a foot injury, which isn't great considering that fact he is the senior kicker for the high school football team. As for my brother he walked away with abrasions and bruising to the abdomen and face.

The story of the accident is that the driver in the other vehicle was under the influence of either drugs and/or alcohol. He then proceeded to steal his brother's vehicle and take it for a joy ride. Well the joy part did not last long; he crossed the median and caused a head-on collision. The most shocking part is that he just walked away from the accident and left two teenage boys to fend for themselves. Luckily the police caught him a few hours later.

Even though the EMTs did not think anything was wrong, they still took the boys to the hospital to be certain. My brother had to stay on the backboard until the doctor determined there was no head or neck injury. While he was waiting, my brother told my parents, “this is gunna cost you a lot of money,” knowing that he did not have insurance. Which normally, my brother would not even think of that. Since the accident he has been very cautious and “lovable.” And not to mention he has not slept well. Although it was a bad thing that happened, I think it will really open his eyes and make him see the consequences of someone’s poor choices.

My brother was right about one thing, it will cost my parents, a lot. Even if they did have health insurance the ambulance and ER visit would not have been covered, because it was a car accident. The car insurance would have to cover it, even though it was not one of my parent’s vehicles. For the car insurance to cover it, there is a $500 deductible or fee, plus all the cars under the insurance would be hiked. There is the great state of Michigan for you, no fault insurance will bite you in the ass. Either way, it is costly.

People, if you bring one thing home from this, do not let people drive under the influence of anything and do not let them be distracted while driving; it can devastating consequences.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

If it were easy

 

They're Gunna Hear me ROAR!


A few nights ago I was driving back to school, I started to ponder about things that have been bothering me about myself. Probably not the healthiest thing to be doing, but I was doing it none the less. The biggest thing that has been bothering me is how introverted I am. I have however noticed that I have been getting a little better. But there are times that I still get thinking so much about what to say, that I shut down. I noticed this the other day for a group presentation, I just mentally shut down and whatever I did I physically could not make myself speak. And it is not that I don’t have something to say, because I do. I have strong opinions, but I just do not want to rub people the wrong way. I have also been a people pleaser, and sometimes, I say what I think people want me to say. I am really going to try from this day forward to say what I feel and think and let people know what I have to say. 

As I continued to drive a song came on that I thought were a bit ironic. It was Roar by Katy Perry. I have included part of the lyrics to show you.

 

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

[Chorus]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar

Now I’m floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero