Finals Time...

I know what you're thinking: EW. Finals time. But of course it's just another inevitable part of the student life. And it hasn't been as bad as finals used to be during my undergraduate career.

Finals started off with an exam for ethics. It's supposed to be a paper on the ethical issues at your practicum site but since I haven't started anywhere yet, I wasn't able to write that paper. Although this has been frustrating, it's been nice that the professors have been flexible about changing assignments, since they know there's nothing I could do about not having a practicum site.

Compared to the types of multiple choice exams I used to take back at UVA, this exam was awesome! Only 20 questions (which can be both good and bad, since each question is worth a lot) and only covering what we talked about in class. Mind you, I read every single chapter of the textbook as well as taking notes in class every week, and it paid off! So one piece of advice I'd definitely give to incoming students: READ. A lot of people shirk their readings because they think it's common sense or we learn it all in class, but it couldn't hurt to have a handle on the information before going over it in class.

Next, we've got a theory paper due for interventions, a group proposal for group, a case presentation and transcript for practicum, a process analysis for group, and a last paper on the importance of theory for interventions. PHEW! Well, that was a mouthful. But I've already got a handle on a lot of the assignments, so I'm not too concerned. But it definitely is getting STRESSFUL! So of course here I will put a plug for the importance of SELF-CARE! That's something our program emphasizes so much, because counseling can be a hazardous profession. Hearing other people's struggles can bring out your own struggles, or it can just trigger an empathetic reaction, and we have to take care of ourselves to remedy that.

Finally, one of the best things going on right now (something good to counteract all the papers) is that I have an INTERVIEW at Gaudenzia! Gaudenzia is a concurrent drug and alcohol treatment center, so they work with people who struggle both with addictions and with some mental illness. It will no doubt be difficult, but I'm excited to get the chance to start making a difference in people's lives, and to learn something new, regardless of how far out of my comfort zone I will be stepping.

Wish me luck!