This semester was a particularly big load for me at 18 hours plus clinic and a lab. I didn't think I would make it through, not with my sanity in tact anyway. But we are finally coming to the end and we did make it through. It has proven to be a successful semester and I have learned a great deal. I was thinking tonight about what I will take away from my classes this semester and here are just a few thoughts:
1. Topics in Mathematics- quite frankly, I suck at math. I managed to do okay in this class and actually will have a B but that's only because I ended up with a wonderful teacher who understands the world is not made up of math geniuses like herself. I have learned a few things from her but the main thing is that math can be fun if you aren't frustrated out of your mind. When doing work that is within in my realm of capability I do like it, a little.
2. Sign Language- I can actually understand a great deal of sign after one short semester. Granted the signs have to be done slowly and be fairly basic, but I learned a lot. It was fun teaching the kids all the signs for the different animals. I learned a lot about Deaf culture from our fabulous sign teacher. I only took this class because I heard it was easy, but it was very fun and valuable.
3. Astronomy & Lab- probably one of the hardest classes I've ever taken, but also one of the most interesting. I learned the most from this class. The thought that really struck me was when we learned about the Copernican Principle, which states that there is nothing special about our place in the Universe. In other words, the entire Universe does not revolve around us. I knew this I suppose, but had never really thought about it. I was remembering back to when I first left home and went to school in Denton. People would ask me where I was from and I would quickly reply "Monahans, TX". "Where????" they always replied back. No one had ever heard of this place which was the center of my Universe up to this point in my short life. I remember thinking that the world revolved around me and my little community no one had ever even heard of. Quite an eye-opener to learn that there was a great deal more to the world. And now I have been confronted once again with the idea that it doesn't all revolve around me and my planet. Simple but not so simple. I love to be forced to think.
4. Aural Rehabilitation- I have the cutest little teacher who teaches this course about helping hearing impaired individuals hear and speak. I learned that there is still so much I don't understand or know about the field I have chosen. I have also learned that I love working with cochlear implant recipients. They are so grateful to have hearing. It really helps me appreciate what a gift the sense of hearing is. We should do everthing we can to protect our ears from damage.
5. Nutrition- My teacher in this class said something one day that really stood out. She made the point over and over that we can eat the foods we like, we can eat out, we can still enjoy many of the things we tend to think of as bad foods. She said that healthy living is not as influenced by what we eat but more so but what we don't eat. I really liked that and it made a lot of sense. I tend to skip a lot of meals and eat poorly when I am in a hurry. This just reinforced how important it is that I prepare good foods for myself and my family, providing lots of healthy choices that we need in our diet. It also allowed me to quit stressing about those sometimes not so good choices that I am always so worried are going to kill me.
6. Group Discussion- I learned what I already knew, which is that I hate public speaking and I don't enjoy doing group projects. But this was a super easy class. I also learned about the dangers of Group think and how important it is that we think as individuals and don't let the influence of others guide our decisions. We must always be thinkers. We watched a couple of great films that demonstrated this. "Abandon Ship" and "Twelve Angry Men". They were both old black and white movies. I really enjoyed both of them and highly recommend them.
7. Clinic- Probably the best part of each day. I worked with the cutest little guy this semester. I learned that I really am good at what I am going into and that I enjoy the work. That's a good thing to know at this stage in the game. I would hate to get into grad school and decide I hate it.
8. Finally, I learned that it is a wonderful thing to have a support system that is behind you every step of the way. My husband and kids are my greatest motivators. They are always proud of me and don't complain about all the extra time I spend studying and gone for night classes. I couldn't do this without their support. I also learned that family and good friends who listen and encourage and are sincerely happy for each and every accomplishment make this so much easier. What a great semester and a great experience overall.
