Blog Tools
Edit your Blog
Build a Blog
RSS Feed
View Profile
« March 2010 »
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
You are not logged in. Log in
Entries by Topic
All topics  «
Being in Grad school
C'mon Summertime!
Finishing up my first semester o
Graduate School
Preparing to enter Graduate Scho
Taking the GRE
My Blog

Monday, 29 March 2010

Wrappin it up!
Mood:  on fire
Topic: C'mon Summertime!

   Wow!  My time in Grad school is flying by.  In about a month i'll be finishing up with my second semester.  It's amazing how much i've learned just in this short amount of time.  As usual, i've thoroughly enjoyed all of it although the work gets crazy at times!  Currently i'm working on a research proposal and boy I cant wait to be done with it.  I keep a positive mind though, i'll keep going for another month and i'll be done. Laughing

   I'm looking forward to this Summer. I'm taking a break from school to soak up some sun and play with my kid.  She just turned 13 and I'm still trying to figure out where the time has gone!  I look forward to hangin out with her and my husband for a while.   By the time I get back to school in the Fall, i'm sure I'll be refreshed and ready to go another round with Grad school. 

   I'm always thinking about the future.  I really think that my decision to go to Graduate School will enable me to find a career that I really enjoy and will be able to make an impact in.  I'm excited about it, and that keeps me going. 

   I'll be starting on my studying for finals soon.  I'll let you all know how everything goes soon. 

                                                         Ginger


Posted by Ashleigh at 3:26 PM EDT | Post Comment | Permalink

Monday, 1 February 2010

How Time Flies!
Mood:  happy
Topic: Graduate School

   I am already into my second semester of Graduate school!  I was so pleased to recieve my official letter of acceptance into the Counseling program.  My first semester really gave me a lot of insight as to what was in store for me in Grad school.  The workload is certainly challenging, but I really enjoy learning the material.  I feel like i'm really getting to get to the "meat" of counseling and  Psychology rather than just covering the basics.  I am really looking forward to beginning my internship.  Hands on experiences are always the best learning experiences for me and I feel like I'll really understand how to apply the concepts i'm learning once I begin interning.

One thing that makes the whole Grad school "journey" so much easier, is the stellar faculty that I get to work with.  My instructors are so approachable and helpful, i appreciate the fact that they are so willing to share their knowledge with all of us in the program.  Having them be there, willing to do whatever it takes to help us through, is something that i'm extremely thankful for!

   I know that I still have a whole lot to learn about all of this Psychology "stuff", but i can't wait to learn it.  It's so fascinating to study human behavior.  I really feel that once I graduate, I'll be prepared to go out into the world and (hopefully) make it better! One person at a time :)

  I have great hopes for this New Year!  I'll keep you all posted on what happens as I progress through the program.  Until then, I wish you peace and happiness!  Wink


Posted by Ashleigh at 8:47 AM EST | Post Comment | Permalink

Sunday, 15 November 2009

Wrapping Up!
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Finishing up my first semester o

WOW!  Time sure does fly, I'm already wrapping up my first semester of Graduate School!

   I must say, Grad school sure does keep you busy!  I've loved every minute of it though.  I've really learned a great deal of information over these last coulple of months, my instructors are like great fountains of knowledge.  I've examined human development from birth to death, studied the ethics and guidelines of the counseling process, and have even learned some of the fundamental basics of how to be an effective "helper".  I particularly enjoyed the video tape process of "practice" counseling sessions; while they are nerve racking, they're an invaluble tool in assessing and critiquing your own counseling style.  I could go on and on about everything I've learned in just one semester!

   Now that I have almost finished with this first semester, i'm not nearly as nervous about what lies ahead.  I think that most of my initial anxiety over Grad School was a fear of the unknown.  Now that I have made some really neat new friends and have gotten to know all of the OUTSTANDING instructors, I feel excitement for what the future holds. 

   Phew am I ready for the holidays!  While i have enjoyed Graduate school, it has certainly presented challenges and has kept me on my toes.  I look forward to taking some time to enjoy my family and friends, eating LOTS of turkey and stuffing, and gearing up for my next semester.  I wish everyone a happy, safe, and family filled holiday season Laughing


Posted by Ashleigh at 5:06 PM EST | Post Comment | Permalink

Wednesday, 26 August 2009

I'm In!
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Being in Grad school

Hi Everybody!

    Sorry it's been a while, boy getting into grad school is a busy process!  Orientation on the 10th was great.  The information presented was very enlightening and useful.  I would recommend that anyone entering grad school attend the orientation. 

   Having said that...I'm in!  I have already started classes and i'm so very excited about it.  I enjoy the conversations that we have in the classes.  They feel more collaborative than "teacher squakin" to the students.  We are encouraged to jump in there and offer up our opinions and knowledge.  It makes me feel like part of a professional team rather than just another student.  I'm feeling so excited about the future!  While the work may be more challenging than I'm used to, I enjoy the material and am ready to really learn it.  To anyone who is nervous about the idea of Graduate school, I say go for it!  It's totally worth the hassle of getting into the program and once your in there is an intrinsic satisfaction of being successful and having a bright future in a field you love ahead of you.

   Next week we are having interviews with the actual program we have applied for.  I am going into the community counseling program so everyone keep your fingers crossed that I do well!  I'll let you know how they went.  Until then, keep up the good work!


Posted by Ashleigh at 10:52 AM EDT | Post Comment | Permalink

Thursday, 30 July 2009

Anticipation
Mood:  happy

Hey everyone!

   I am so excited!  Orientation is coming up on August 10th and the anticipation of it is killing me!  I can't wait to meet with my advisor and register for my classes.  I have been revising my resume and creating my vita.  I'm thinking that I will go by the career services office at my school to get further tips and pointers on how to make them stellar.  I have a lot of competition out there, so i'm thinking that my best bet is to make sure that I have a resume that really stands out and catches some attention.  Since this is the job of the career services office, I figure who better to go to for advising? 

    I cannot wait to get back to school and see all of my friends and learn all kinds of new "stuff".  While i'm nervous about it, I also am confident that if other people can do it, then so can I!  Here I come Grad school ;)


Posted by Ashleigh at 11:21 AM EDT | Post Comment | Permalink

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Tying up the loose ends
Topic: Preparing to enter Graduate Scho

Hello again everyone!  I hope this blog finds you all happy and well.Laughing

   I have recieved my voucher for 50% off of the test taking fee!  I have gone on to call the nearest testing center to schedule my GRE.  I have found the GRE study book to be most helpful.  The guide is very useful in that it provides a plethora of study sections, familiarizes you with the layout of the test, and offers up suggestions on test taking techniques and strategies.  Moreover, I appreciate that scoring of the answers is also discussed.  I would recommend to anyone having to take the GRE to get the book.  Perhaps it would be wise to ask around to determine if anyone who has previously taken it still has their study materials.  This could save you time and money. 

   I have recieved my registration information from Troy.  I will be going August 10th for my orientation.  Wish me luck!  I'll let everyone know how it went.

  


Posted by Ashleigh at 1:22 PM EDT | Post Comment | Permalink

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Trials and Tribulations of getting into Graduate School
Mood:  rushed
Topic: Taking the GRE

Hey Everybody!

   My name is Ginger Joiner and I am the new blogger for the ALCA chapter IX website.  I am very excited to have this opportunity to blog about what's going on with ALCA, school issues, and other interesting topics! So, here we go...

   First topic, taking the GRE.  You may notice that my mood has been marked as rushed.  This is because I am a procrastinator (admitting it is the first step...right?).  I am hoping to enter Troy University's Community Counseling Graduate program this Fall.  It is now June 30th and I have only just now made my arrangements to take the GRE.  My advisor advised me to prepare to take it about a year ahead of time, obviously, I didn't listen.  I discovered that I could obtain a voucher for 50% off of the $150 cost of the test.  I went to my financial aid office to obtain the requested signatures and school seals. Thinking that I have been very productive, I called the GRE center to determine if everything I had was in order.  I was promptly informed that the expiration date on the voucher was June 30th, the date was June 27th.  I rushed to the post office and ended up paying an extra $6 to get it there on time.  I got confirmation of it's delivery this morning, it was delivered yesterday at 5:46a.m. Thank the Lord!

   The moral of this little story is this, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE when attempting to enter Grad school!  This exponentially increases stress and anxiety.  Now all I have to do is wait 4-6 weeks for processing...Jeez.

I'll let yall know when I hear something. Laughing


Posted by Ashleigh at 12:26 PM EDT | Post Comment | Permalink

Newer | Latest | Older