This weeks theme is WHAT'S NEW. I could tell you about my training for Dumbo, or the fact that PiYo finally came in or how hot and humid it has been but nope. Were going to talk about how I'm starting my Doctorate in Education program on Monday!
As you know, I work at USC so I will be getting my Ed.D. in Educational Psychology. What does that mean? I will study about the easy people learn as well as their learning and motivation to learn. It matches with my Master's nicely and I am so excited to get started.
The 5 things I am looking forward to the most:
1. Getting back in the Classroom
I didn't realize how much I missed it until this summer! I finished my Masters 3 years ago and enjoyed the break and not having to learn and balance my schedule. I got off work and I was done!
However this summer I have been TAing for graduate students and I really like it! I can't wait to get back in a classroom and learn!
2. Making New Relationships
This was the greatest takeaway from my Masters program-the number of people I met and got to interact with. This program will be no different-I will get to meet people in my first year cohort and then in my concentration as well as my dissertation group. And this people will "get" me-at least professionally. And there has to be at LEAST one disney crazy and runner in all of these people!
3. Potential Job Opportunities
Not going to lie-this excites me. Higher Education is weird in that you need a Doctorate to be taken seriously. I can't wait to not be doubted because I "have just a Masters" even though I often take on doctoral level projects. When I'm done the only doubt will be because of my age (which I am used to by now since I look younger than I am) and not my credentials. And I can also finally teach!! I love teaching students-especially Master's level.
4. My Dissertation
As a research and assessment nerd, this excites me so much! I get to do my own research and it will be all mine!
In my application, I talked about how my interests lie with the intersection between healthy living habits and college students. The interest was piqued by an article I read that said extreme tired/sleepiness mimic the symptoms of ADHD. Because of this many students would benefit greatly from healthy living interventions. I'm hoping to find a way to incorporate all of that but we will have to wait until my second year to see.
5. Graduation
Less than 3 years! I'm just excited because I have a separate hooding ceremony (which I can wear to every graduation from here on out) and my entire family can come! Why is this is big? Because my family couldn't come to my masters ceremony and it SUCKED (we only had 3 tickets each-unacceptable). I will right that wrong in less than 3 years!
So life will be busy-between working full time, going to school (my classes are Weds from 4-10), working football games, all the traveling I have planned, all the running and races, and of course blogging,I will be JAMMED PACKED. but I will fit it all in because it's important to me!
Anyone else going back to school in the Fall?