Since my last post I have:
- Started graduate school
- Written 10+ papers
- Interviewed 3 faculty members
- Fell in love with Dance Marathon
- Have so many adventures with my amazing roommates
- Celebrated a birthday
- Visited 3 different universities
- Interviewed some amazing candidates for my grad program
- Attended my first professional conference
I'm sure there are more things I have accomplished in the past few months, but as a sit in the Tampa airport waiting to fly back to Ohio, that is all I can think of.
My goal of this blog was going to be highlighting parts of my life that showed that I was growing up and my resistance to that. However this past semester has taught me something different.
I used to believe that once I went to grad school I would have to be a grown adult and [arts of my life that were deemed "childish" would be over. Now I realize that I can have just as much fun as I did in college. A night in with my roommates usually results in my sides physically hurting because we are laughing so much. My students appreciate that I am not formal all the time (even though I am always wearing my advisor pants).
This past week in Tampa has validated the field of student affairs for me. I attended several sessions about self care and how to be a better practitioner, as well as sessions geared specifically to the functional areas I am both in and want to get into. During these sessions I was able to learn new techniques, but I was also able to have genuine discussions with people who felt the same way I do about student development. This week could not have come at a better time.
I had started to feel like I was not making a difference in what I was doing. I want to give back to the field of student affairs that has given me so much, however I have be unable to find that opportunity as of late. This past week has shown me that everyone has an opportunity to give back to the field, I just have not found it yet.
Thus, I have decided to change the overall theme of this blog. I used to blog about random events that happened and thought deeply about what metaphor that presented in my life when it came to me becoming an adult. Well, now I'm an adult. Thankfully, I'm an adult that still likes to have fun with my people and that will not be changing anytime soon. For now, this blog will serve as my inspiration to inspire the next generation of student affairs professionals. I came into this field randomly, thanks to the belief from mentors during my undergraduate days. Now it is my turn to Pay it Forward.
I have a lot to say, and I am going to start...
Right...
NOW!
