Clinic and research
I started clinic a week or two ago. I was freaking out a little at first because I was definitely thrown into it without any kind of guidance. (I'm what the department calls a " 'tweener " since I had to make up undergraduate classes my first year, thus extending my graduate program an additional year.) Anyways, all the other grad students have already done clinic before. They all started together and had a class to explain how everything works, but I never got any kind of orientation and so am kind of on my own. I think after a week I'm doing pretty well, though. I like my clients a lot. I actually co-teach a preschool class twice a week, which is a blast even if I have to yell and chase after kids. I'm even learning a little Japanese, since three of the kids are from Japan and don't know much English.
I'm also still working in the lab doing research on augmentative communication, although I had to reduce my hours once clinic began. I dont' think my advisor was very happy when I told her I had to cut back on hours, but there's really no way around it. As it is, I've been putting in close to 50 hour weeks between research, preparation, and seeing clients. A lot of that time is spent driving out to sites to see kids who are in our literacy project.
As great a learning experience as clinic has been, I can't wait for it to be done. I haven't had much of a break this summer and I think I need to get out of this town for a week or two.
I'm also still working in the lab doing research on augmentative communication, although I had to reduce my hours once clinic began. I dont' think my advisor was very happy when I told her I had to cut back on hours, but there's really no way around it. As it is, I've been putting in close to 50 hour weeks between research, preparation, and seeing clients. A lot of that time is spent driving out to sites to see kids who are in our literacy project.
As great a learning experience as clinic has been, I can't wait for it to be done. I haven't had much of a break this summer and I think I need to get out of this town for a week or two.