Grad School

It's finally here! Actually, it has already started! I've been slacking/trying to get settled in, so I haven't really had the chance to update. I started on August 31st, and so far, so good. I haven't had a breakdown yet. Go me! :) Honestly, I think that Edinboro is going to be way easier than IUP would have been. Okay, so maybe not easier, but less stressful. Nobody seems highly overwhelmed here like they do at IUP. I remember grad students talking and hear things from my former classmates this year about how hard the program at IUP is and how they never have time for themselves. To be honest, I don't think that will be the case for me at all here at Edinboro. I know, it's only the first like 3 weeks of school and I haven't really gotten into it much. The second year grads here don't even seem overwhelmed. That's good news for me because I don't handle stress well.

I have 15 credits, meaning I have 5 different classes. I have Voice/Resonance Disorders, Neuroanatomy for the SLP, Language Disorders, Fluency Disorders, and Swallowing Disorders. All of my professors (I only have 3 right now) are really nice and helpful. I won't have clinic until next semester because they messed up I guess, so I don't actually get any clients until spring. But that's actually good for me because I want to get adjusted to the school and clinic before I actually provide therapy.

On top of my courseload, I have my graduate assistantship. Ha! I should just say that it's my time to finish my homework. On Wednesdays from 4-9 (right now), I sit in the Hamilton basement computer lab and help people if they need it, but there have been like a total of 10 people here in the three weeks I've been working here. So I just mess around online and do some homework. I'm not supposed to leave, so it gets pretty boring down here all by myself. In addition, I work in the math department on Thursdays from 11:30-3:30 and tutor students in Math 020 and 100. It's basic level algebra, which I love. So, it's not bad. I've only tutored 3 people, but I'm sure I'll have more as the semester gets going. It's pretty fun. I'm weird and like math. :)

I'm not going to lie, I do miss my IUP campus and people. I think that IUP is organized so much better and it's so much nicer. Edinboro needs a makeover. It's blah. The only things that look nice are the new suites, the lake, and the new Pogue center. I just love IUP and the Oak Grove. The Oak Grove may be the thing I miss most about the IUP campus. It was amazing. Maybe Edinboro will grow on me when I'm here for a little longer. I hope.

Another thing I miss is Alpha Phi Omega. That organization made my life seem so much better. I loved all the people in it and we always had so much fun. I could join a group here, but it wouldn't be the same, and frankly, I don't think I'd have time for it.

Although I miss IUP, we all have to move on at some point, right? It will always be there. I am going to try to embrace Edinboro for what it is and make the best of it. Because what is life if you can't make the best of it?