My Grad School Family

So... currently I'm in graduate school for a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. I've come to learn a lot about how to manage grad school and some tips and tricks to keep my head above the water. I get overwhelmed a lot but I think what has really helped me on some of my hardest days are three things:

- My Grad School Family
- My Clark
- My Savior

Now I know it is kind of cheesy to call the girls you go to school with your family but that is what I feel like we are sometimes. We rejoice when each other succeeds. We sympathize when others are burnt out. We try to help answer questions for each other. I've found that this group of women that I attend school with is simply astounding. It is nice to know that I have others who are going through the same thing as I am. It is also nice to know I have so many examples to look up to. I seriously could list a positive quality/experience I have recognized/had with each girl in my class that I have learned from. I want to mention just a few, that really stick out:

- There is this girl in my class. She is far from home and came here because she had an interest in assisting children, who have hearing loss and cochlear implants, with their speech. Everyday I look at her example of courage to move across the country to a place that was unfamiliar just because she had a passion for helping this population of children. She has taught me that amidst all the crazy things that happen in the world there are inherently good people that care about others and are willing to do things that aren't at all easy to help them.

- There is this other girl who is also far from home. You cannot believe the kind of energy this girl has. She runs from class to clinic to class to clinic to a supervisor meeting to another supervisor meeting to studying for a test, and still finds time to train for an ironman. I marvel at her example of energy. I also love that grad school does not stop her from doing the things she wants to like marathons, bike races, cross country skiing and an iron man. She has taught me to never lose sight of the things you want most in your life (like doing fun races, being with your pets or enjoying time with your significant other) even when life is extremely busy already.

- There is this other girl who I have just started to talk to a little more and watch as we have begun classes this semester. She is a very quiet girl but has a personality that makes people just want to associate with her. Once you get to know her you realize three things: you are definitely not as smart as her, she has a hilarious sense of humor, and she is happy. I have never had a run in with this girl where I don't come out feeling like I think she is the most intelligent, positive person I have ever met. She has taught me through all things to be happy and also that it is okay to be quiet and to let others come to know you as they go. There is beauty in her simple but hilarious personality.

- There is this other girl who I met this summer. She and I have very different personalities but we get along great. She has helped me realize more fully who I am by letting me know who she is. I admire her for consistently being her. She doesn't allow others to mold and shape her feelings. She seeks answers for herself. She is very true to herself. She also calms me down when I'm freaking out about clients and such. She also looks up syndromes that I don't know on her iPhone so I can be reassured that I can handle this client. She has taught me the value in seeking truth for yourself, forming your own opinions and MOSTLY being who you want to be.

- Lastly, I want to describe two students that I look at as THE model mothers. They are both mothers and both finishing their masters degree. I hate to clump them together because their personalities are so different but I do want to recognize that they have shown me the care you can have for another human being. I have watched as these two maneuver their everyday happenings with their home life and how hard it probably is. The sacrifice they are making being away from their home and kids to come to school will eventually be life altering for their children. Their children will someday look at their mothers and realize "Wow, my mom went to school and still made time for me." "My mother cared about me enough to show me how important my education was that she was willing to do anything to get hers." They have taught me that it is most important to not just say but show those you love that you love them.

I could go on and on about people I have learned from through this experience I am having but I wont. I just want to say thank you to my "grad school family". You all have really touched me and helped me figure out who I want to be as a professional, student, friend, mother, wife and person in general. I've always believed that people are part of your life for a reason and I still do. Thanks for making my life more endurable and letting me learn from all of you.