First year of SLP Graduate School (It needs its own name)

I just finished my first year of a Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Program here in Georgia. I have cried, sweat, laughed, and earned every ounce of that first year; it feels like there should a name instead of a sentiment like, “Congrats! You made it half way, now for the even harder part.” I have been trying to term the first year of SLP grad school; so here were some of my ideas:

• Hell (sarcasm, of course)
• SLP_Jumanji Journey
• Newbie Years_SLP
• The year you think you have every disorder you read about (needs work)

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2012 ASHA Convention: Blogger_Echo

I was quite excited to learn I was chosen to be 1 of 3 official 2012 ASHA Convention Bloggers. The details of the selection process are a mystery to me but I like to imagine I was chosen because they heard of my newbie (semi-awesome) blog, my excitement to join the profession, and my ever-so-amateur photos I post on here as well. Or perhaps it is because there is a lack of blogs written by SLPs or student SLPs in the great state of Georgia, which just so happens to be hosting the convention. I tend to think it’s more the latter, but no matter the reason, here is where I string together letters and words to form what is my blog.

Kenai Peninsula – Alaska

After a few years of Alaska dreaming, on May 2, 2012 I boarded a plane in Atlanta, Georgia to fulfill my dream. I had multiple purposes for the trip: observe 3 Speech-Language Pathologists, be a super touristy tourist, and figure out if I could live in the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. I think my trip was a success…so I shall share my success in hopes others may have similar aspirations today or in the future.

I used Kayak.com to find my round-trip flight from Atlanta, Georgia to Anchorage, Alaska. For some reason (which I attribute to the mercy of the Lord), my round-trip flight was $438.00…ridiculously cheap thank goodness. Then I took a small connecting flight from Anchorage to Kenai, Alaska on a small plane via ERA Alaska Airlines for around $100. I left ATL at 7:30am on May 2 and finally arrived in Kenai Alaska about 12:30pm May 3.

Why Kenai, Alaska?

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” ~Andre Gide

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” ~Helen Keller

“My life and career is my own adventure” ~Dario Argento

“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold” ~Helen Keller

We so often get our ideas from the sayings and teachings of others; better yet, ideas come from our own actions, words, and experiences. So where did my idea to trek to Alaska come from? I like to think the story begins with Tracie Peterson’s book series The Song of Alaska. 

SLP Graduate Program

 

So after a few messages from some of my  Twitter followers (@SLPeepEcho) and some people who have come across my blog , I’m realizing it is difficult to find information about what a school’s Graduate program is like.

I have some insight into the University of West Georgia’s Speech-Language Pathology Master’s of Education Program. Just to be clear, I have no personal or financial investment in the program; just a desire to share my experiences from going here for both my Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in SLP:

ASHA Convention 2012 – Atlanta, GA

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2012 National Convention will be in Atlanta Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center November 15 – 17, 2012. Home.

I have never been to an ASHA Convention so this year will be my first. I’ve also submitted a Call for Papers. I’ve never been so nervous before clicking a Submit button. I want to share what my research is about and I have many hopes and prayers it will be accepted. If not, I’m getting great clinical experience on how to apply, how to research, and learning along the way.

TITLE: Executive Functioning Training in College-Age Students

 ABSTRACT:

Research shows individuals with ADD, ADHD, and LD have deficits in executive functioning. Collaboration with Disability Service Providers and the SLP Department allowed for greater student access. The presentation discusses a 6-week intervention program given through a University clinic targeting attention, memory, sequencing, problem solving, and executive functioning.