Graduate Students' Advice

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” (Rabindranath Tagore)

Ruth Gonzalez asked her School Psychology students to reflect on their experience and offer suggestions for new students. Are you interested in their advice?

Although the students were from only one class, they seem to agree that certain themes are important tips for those students who will follow them. Their suggestions have been grouped together in common areas. They offer ideas for being a graduate student, a professional-in-training and a healthy human being.
From their pens for your benefit...

Get organized. Find a system that works for you and do it.
Stay organized.
Visit Office Depot often.
You cannot be too organized.
Did I mention organization?
Organize!
Be organized.
Get organized early because you will get busy later.
Keep an eye on the goal!
Very important - Schedule on your calendar the hours you need each month and keep up with it so you're not scrambling at the end.

Don’t wait until the last minute.
Get things done as early as possible!
You cannot read too far ahead.
The earlier, the better… always a good idea!
Start early on your counseling, because it's fun, supportive and enlightening.
Stay on top of your reading.
Start early on shadowing (primarily School Psychologists), because the information you gather and the connections you make are the real beginning of your professional life.
Be proactive
Plan your hours allotment early in the year.
Log hours early and often!

Get to know your classmates/cohort.
Talk to as many student in your program as possible.
Talk to students further in the program!
Make friends with your classmates/cohort!
Get comfy with your classmates/cohort.
“Friendship multiplies the goodness of life. ” (Baltasar Gracian 1601-1658)
Hang with your cohort.
Get to know your classmates/cohort!
Try to meet as many people in your field as possible.
Get in touch with the other graduate students (both in your program & in other programs), and share your idea, questions & concerns.
Make friends with your classmated - even if it takes effort.
Share yourself.
The key to learning is RELATIONSHIP. Children actually build neural connections and cognitive strengths through RELATIONSHIPS. Those struggling with a life situation need more than a shift in the situation, they need a RELATIONSHIP. You need RELATIONSHIPS.
Stay close with each other.

Even if you’ve been many places and have done many things, there’s always more to learn.
Use the Writing Center.
See what School Psychologists and mental health professionals do in reality.
Put aside an hour a day to just write.
Take everythign with a grain of salt and a sense of humor
Ask.
Utilize the web to find contact pps.k12,or.us. ,br/> Capitalize on resources.
Enjoy it!
Ask questions. You aren't supposed to know everything yet. "
Spend time with young children.
Don't be afraid of what you don't know...Just ask questions.
Advocate for thhe experiences that you want in this learning year.

Go to a Speaker meeting for your first AA meeting and learn about AA in a comfortable environment.
Tips for AA meetings: Serenity Prayer; Do NOT raise your hand when asked if you are there for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd meeting because you do not need to speak; Before you go learn the closing statement "it works if you're working it"; Do NOT lie; Don't worry about not belonging; Enjoy their honesty and humility.
More Tips for AA meetings: You can find a complete list of locations on http://www.pdxaa. com; Go with someone who is part of an ongoing meeting for one of your experiences (it's revelatory!); Alano Center on NW 24th has some great meetings; St. Mark's Presbyterian on Terwilinger has good meetings.
Go to AA meetings early in the semester when you're not stressed, and write them up soon afterward, so that your memories are strong.

Take care of yourself!
Find good self-care strategies.
Take care of yourself!
Enjoy the city of Portland!
Make sure you get your kid time.
Never underestimate the power of happy hour!
Know that you will reach your breaking point at least once... and it, too, will pass!
Believe in yourself!
Enjoy... it really will be over before you know it!
Be kind to yourself; breathe ; take some time off.
Like trees, mental health professionals and school psychologists are similar AND unique; Develop your own style!
Remember to create time for yourself.
Take yoga.
Brace yourself for your existential crisis.
Be wary of the month of April.
Have fun!
Tweet!

Live ALOHA. These actions are the everyday acts of courtesy at work, at home, or on the reoad as well as the larger acts of making the lives of other better. ALOHA involves our relationships, with each other and with the world that surrounds us, and the specific actions we take everyday to improve those realtionships. As was written and taught by Pilahi Paki:
A Akahai: kindness, expressed with tenderness
L Lokani: unity, expressed with harmony
O 'Olu'olu: agreeable, expressed with pleasantness
H Ha'aha'a: humility, expressed with modesty
A Ahonui: patience, expressed with perseverance.
The sharing of ALOHA comes from the heart... shared from person to person. And to Live ALOHA we should consider the guiding words of Queen Lili'uokalani: "Let only the gold blossoms of aloha live in your heart..." Let us all Live Aloha... Now more than ever!!!