As a first year student, I felt overwhelmed at the beginning of the year....

As a second year student, I have often wondered, "Are they trying to kill us?"

3 days of field...and 3 classes...are they kidding? Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my field placement this year. Being in SWCOS is a real blessing from the Lord. My field instructor is intelligent, efficient, and compassionate--and there are more scholarship opportunities for 2nd year students who have a SWCOS placement. I really like my classes--Dick Cook, the ED of SWCOS is one of my professors, and I think he is brilliant! But...are they trying to kill us?

I am so exhausted from working a full day at field and going to class in the evening...and everyone I talk to feels the same way! My situation is a little more complex because I still work a PT job (don't tell anyone!)...but this schedule is lighting a fire under my tail!

Please hear this: if you are a FT 2nd year student and you are tired--you are not alone. We all feel the exhaustion...and most of us are getting a caffiene fix before those evening classes...but we are only months away (May 16!) from having more sleep, more knowledge, and a versatile degree that will give us the right "credentials" to work for change in the lives of individuals and for the betterment of communities.

It's worth it.

Shoot me an email :)

Posted by Carmen at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think that my field placement this year has a lot of potential!

The school has a caring principal, a dynamic staff, and students who are hungry for attention. The principal also seems to really care that the "mental health needs"of his students are met and really supports the work of SWCOS in the school.

I have some fairly ambitious goals for myself in field this year. On top of being assigned 6 or so individual cases, I hope to run two groups. One dance therapy group for girls and one anger management/bullying group for girls (anybody ever seen the movie Mean Girls?) On my first day, there was a fight between two girls outside of my office...and on the second day, I saw one of the "popular" girls make fun of and then push one of the "not-so-popular" girls. Apaprently, there are a few "not-so-popular" girls who get picked on almost everyday by the "popular girls," and they used to all be friends in elementary school! My goal is to bring them together in one group in order to open the lines of communication, facilitate some self-reflection/identity time, and to hopefully help build back trust among these girls who "used-to-be" friends.

I have to complete a Learning Contract with my field instructor (who is wonderful!), and she will have to approve my proposal to run the two groups--I'll let you know if the "Mean Girls" idea gets approved.

If anyone has any ideas on how the "Mean Girls Group" can be effective--please leave a comment or shoot me an email. I would love to hear and implement your thoughts.

Posted by Carmen at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)