i'm actually graduating!

...some thoughts on graduating...

here is my awesome graduation announcement

that's right, graduation is on friday and i am honestly in a little bit of shock that i've finally made it to this point in my academic career.  i feel like all my schooling for the last 20+ years has been leading up to this point and the day is finally here!  i always knew i was going to do a lot of school- my college career started with me wanting to go to med school to be a pediatrician, switched to me wanted to be an early childhood education/special education teacher, switched to wanting to be a speech language pathologist, and then deciding to jump ship to the wonderful world of audiology.  all of those degrees were going to require more than a bachelor's and i was ok with it.  but then when it really came down to deciding on audiology and its 4 year doctoral program, i wondered if i'd really be able to survive.  i mean... 4 more years past my bachelor's seemed soooo long and i couldn't imagine where my life would be when i was (gasp!) 26 years old.  but, at the time of making this decision, josh and i decided it would best for us to get all my schooling done and out of the way before we started a family and because of our situation at the time, i needed to have a career that would completely support our family if need be.  i was fortunate enough to get into my program of choice and had an amazing experience living in logan and studying what i loved.

i am a big goal-oriented person and i tend to set the bar a bit high sometimes.  josh tells me i'm a bit crazy sometimes and usually go overboard when it comes to all the things i want to accomplish in life.  but that's just the type of person i am.  but looking back on the last few years i can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what the future has in store.  i remember reading a quote from president hinkley years ago that i think gave me the drive to work a little harder, strive for excellence, and develop my talents.  it is a quote that i have read many times, especially when i've been down and felt like a failure, that has given me the motivation to move on.  

"you can be excellent in every way.  you can be first class.  there is no need for you to be a scrub.  respect yourself.  do not feel sorry for yourself.  do not dwell on unkind things others may say about your.  polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you.  go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart.  love life and look for its opportunities."

this made me feel like i could truly do whatever i put my mind to.

some of the goals that i set that i really wanted to accomplish throughout my bachelors and doctoral degrees:

- graduate debt free -

this was my #1 goal and took a lot of working extra jobs at nights, on weekends, and during the summers... but i can't even say how grateful i am that we don't have to pay off any student loans!

- specialize in what i love -

not only did i do my audiology degree focusing mostly on hearing and balance, but i was fortunate enough to be chosen for an additional program focusing on pediatric audiology, cochlear implants, and auditory rehabilitation.  i loved what i learned in my additional coursework and practicums and really hope to be able to start working with children with cochlear implants again in the near future.

- do research on a topic i love -

for my research capstone, i was able to study cochlear implants and work on helping to develop better training programs for professionals throughout the state who work with children with cochlear implants.  it's pretty cool to see my research being used to actually make a difference here in utah.

- present my research -

two of my research projects were chosen to be presented at a national children's hearing conference.  in 2010 i did a presentation and in 2011 i had a poster presentation.
- develop a good relationship with my professors and classmates -
i honestly couldn't have asked for better people be around every day.. for hours on end... years on end.  my professors were amazing- they were knowledgeable, kind, understanding, and treated us like human beings.  i respect each of them and the time and effort they put into molding me into the audiologist i am today.  i also adored my classmates- there were only 4 of us in my class but we all became great friends and colleagues and are people i look forward to working with and meeting up with at audiology conventions in the future. 

- keep myself mentally and physically fit -

i wanted to make sure i had balance in my life and wasn't always focused on school.  i started running initially to reduce stress/anxiety and it actually worked well to keep my body and mind strong. i completed 2 half marathons successfully and already have plans for more in the next year.

- organize and participate in humanitarian missions -

i was fortunate enough to travel to mexico, costa rica, and vietnam with my classmates to provide audiology and hearing related services to people in countries who don't have access to the resources we have here in the u.s.  we fit hearing aids, testing adults and children, provided teacher and professional trainings, and donated thousands of dollars worth of equipment to different organizations throughout these countries.  words can't even describe how those experiences confirmed that i am in the right field and truly doing something that i love that will improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss.

- have fun and enjoy life -

despite our busy schedules, josh and i made sure to have lots of fun spending time together, meeting new friends, traveling, playing lots of games, watching lots of movies, and just enjoying our first few years of marriage. 

- get a high gpa -

i know getting all a's in college is a lofty goal, but i really wanted to excel in all my classes.  somehow, i   will actually graduate with a 4.0 from my entire program.... not something i planned on but something i am very proud of!

- set an example for my future children on the power of a good education -

i feel that knowledge is power and i am a little saddened to not be a student anymore because i will not be forced into studying anymore.  but i think it is so important for my children to know that i value a good education and the opportunities that it can provide a person.  i have learned discipline, responsibility, time management, and have found a career that makes me feel like i am making a difference. 

so, what's next?  that's the million dollar question...

i have accepted an offer to stay on with the company i current work for (which is the same one josh works for). i will be working part time at our ent office and part time in our hearing aid clinic.  i plan on working after the baby comes and we may tweak my schedule a bit when i get back from maternity leave depending on who watches the baby.  also, for the last few years i have been a teaching assistant for an undergraduate online class focusing on pediatric audiology and aural rehab at usu and have been offered a position as an assistant professor for the class from here on out.  i'm excited that it's just another opportunity for me to do something that i love and may even lead to other teaching opportunities in the future.

but before all of that happens... josh and i are celebrating graduation with 2 other fabulous couples by heading out on a cruise this saturday!!!