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I recently returned from a much needed vacation to Miami. I had a great time relaxing and hanging out with my sister and my doggy. While my body is back in Baltimore, my mind is still very much in Florida! Anyway, I can’t believe it’s November already; only a few more weeks and this semester is over. My first semester in grad school has definitely been an interesting one. I’ve definitely learned a lot, not only about social work, but about myself as well. I’ve learned I can’t get away with the same things I could in undergrad. I am the queen of procrastination….I’m pretty sure I invented it. I’ve always worked really good under pressure and usually wait to the last possible minute to complete something. Needless to say, that doesn’t work in grad school! If you’re like me, and were able to get good grades in undergrad by pulling all-nighters, you’re gonna need to rethink your game plan before you get here. I’ve been getting better at completing things early, and I’m actually a lot less stressed now than I was when I was in undergrad. I had a paper due on Wednesday and I actually completed it Monday night. I know that may not sound like anything, but if I was back in undergrad at ODU, I probably would’ve waited until early Wednesday morning to just read the criteria of the paper! So you see, I’m improving.
So, I pretty much want to leave you with this: Grad school is a lot of work, but it’s not impossible. Use your time wisely, don’t spread yourself to thin, and DON’T procrastinate. You’ll save yourself a whole lot of tears, stress, and headaches!!
Until next time………..
Well, it appears that I definitely spoke too soon when I said that this semester is a breeze. Things have really picked up these last few weeks with all the readings, papers, and the added responsibility that I have been given at my practicum. I have my first midterm (human behavior) next week and I am really freaking out. My professor is Peter Smith, whom I highly recommend! He gave us a very thorough review but I’m still worried that I won’t be able to remember all that material! As I’ve mentioned before, my placement is in the PICU at UMMC. I saw my first patient by myself a couple of weeks ago and since then my supervisor has been piling the patients on me! I’m not complaining though. I appreciate all the real life experience that I’m getting from it. The only thing I don’t really like about being in placement is having to turn in weekly reports. They say it’s supposed to help us, but honestly it seems more like an irritation!
I’ve been saying all along that I wanted to concentrate in the clinical aspect of social work, but after doing a little more research and speaking with a friend who is a MACO concentrator, I’m actually leaning toward the MACO side of things. Out of all the courses that I’m taking, my policy class definitely interests me the most. I’ve always been more interested in being behind the scenes and managing and organizing anyway and I‘m just not really interested in dealing directly with clients. I’ve just always heard more about the clinical or direct services side of social work and most students go that route, so I just followed. I definitely encourage all of you to find out more about the MACO aspect, because just like the clinical side, it’s very diverse and has a lot of opportunities out there.
Also, for those of you who aren’t completely sure of what aspect of social work you want to get into (and even those of you who are!), you should definitely pick up two books called Days in the lives of Social Workers and More Days in the lives of Social Workers, both by Linda May Grobman. They both include true life stories of real social workers in various aspects of social work during a typical work day.
Until next time……….
Hey fellow and prospective MSW students,
Seems like you'll be following me along on my journey through the MSW porgram here at UMB. I guess the only proper way to start is to tell you a little about myself. Well, my name is Ashley and I'm from Virginia (born and raised) and just received my BS in Sociology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk,VA. I'm a regular, full time, first year student, taking the normal course load. For my practicum, I've been placed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the UMMC. I've only been there a few weeks but have already learned so much! Thus far, the program doesn't seem nearly as bad as I've been told or thought it would be. I'm taking one online class (I wouldn't be able to stand another three hour class) which has been a breeze, and to my surprise, I don't have too many assignments in my other classes.
I moved up here almost two months ago. I didn't know anyone and knew absolutely nothing about Baltimore. I was actuallypretty terrified of Baltimore because of what I've heard and seen on tv. The honest truth is, Baltimore is really not bad at all (this is coming from a very sheltered girl who was raised in the suburbs). I've also found it extremely easy to make friends with the other students. To be completely honest, UMB was not even my first choice in Grad school. I intended on attending another school (which I was also accepted into, by the way), but after a lot of prayer and thought, I was led here. I'm not exatly sure why, but I firmly believe that God has led me here for a reason and 'm excited to find out just what that is!
So that's what going on with me now.....until next time....Deuces!
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