Back to Middle School

Last week, I went back to middle school. After I graduated 8^th grade from Canton Charter Academy, I vowed I would never return to middle school, not even to say hi to my teachers, check in on my brothers, or attend school events. To say it bluntly, I hated middle school. I was an odd ball, picked on by some of my peers, alienated by others. I can remember the frequent feeling of dread and anxiety that would overcome me before each school day. Despite my emotional scars, I woke up at 6:30am last Thursday morning to be at Jackson Creek Middle School by 7:40am. Why? So glad you asked.

This semester I’m enrolled in a service learning class through the Psychology department, called the Psychology of Adolescent girls. In this course, two days a week we stay in the classroom, and discuss psychological changes girls face during adolescence. In addition, one day a week we have a field experience portion, in which we go to one of the local middle schools, and mentor a group of about ten girls. Each week has a theme, such as body image or relational aggression, which we discuss in an educational and empathetic framework.

I decided to take this class for three reasons-- to fulfill my final requirement for my Psychology minor, to serve and give back to the Bloomington community, and to understand my own middle school experience using the concept of the “Sociological Imagination”.

In probably every Sociology course I have taken, we have either read or discussed the concept of the “Sociological Imagination”, as coined by C Wright Mills. The Sociology Imagination is basically looking at the world through the intersections of biography and history-- examining how an event is perceived by an individual, through the lens of the social, historical, or psychological environment surrounding that event. Now that I’ve had a few years to process and analyze my own middle school experience, I’m ready to learn a little bit more about the external demands placed on adolescent girls that contributes to an often times troubling and tumultuous middle school experience.

I’m hoping by the end of this semester, this class gives me the framework to better understand my own experience of middle school. I hope I can use this perspective to mentor the girls I come into contact with, and motivate them to be strong, independent young women. After all, I barely survived middle school and turned out all right.

Posted by Anne

Awaiting Results

At the beginning of this week, I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive it. But now that my week is coming to a close, I feel very accomplished! With two tests and my accounting midterm, I kept plenty busy. My midterm was possibly the most important test I have taken so far in college- because, since we don’t have class-work or homework in that class, the whole semester’s grade depends on the midterm and final. I realized that if I didn’t pass my midterm, I wouldn’t be able to get into Kelley as planned. But after studying for the longest I have in my entire life, I feel confident about how I did and I am very anxious to find out my score!

I got a call this week from a company I spoke with at the Fall Career and Internship Fair; they told me that they were just now getting through all of the resumes for summer internships, and they were interested in having a phone interview with me Monday about an internship this summer! I am so excited because they have headquarters in Indianapolis and another location in Chicago. I want to branch out and experience new places, and since neither of these places are my hometown, I am happy. I really want to work in Chicago if it works out that way, but I wouldn’t mind working in Indianapolis at all. I will check back next week!

Posted by Rachel

Settling In

After three full weeks of classes, I feel that I am settling very well into my new semester. I have plenty of classwork to keep me busy- especially in accounting. I have a midterm coming up in that class, since it is only an 8-week course, and it will count for a large percentage of my grade, so my evenings are consistently consumed with studying! I am adapting more to public speaking, so my business presentations class is getting a little easier!

I really enjoyed working at the Winter Career Fair this week! Our student attendance was very good, and our employer feedback was also very positive! It can easily be said that the Fair was a huge success. While working, I was also able to speak with some of the employers. I noticed a huge improvement from the Fall Career Fair in my ability to speak with employers. I felt more confident and at ease in my speaking through the practice I have acquired this year. I would absolutely recommend to any freshman to get interviewing/employer relations practice now because although an internship or full-time job may seem like a responsibility of the future, it is at least good to get practice in now so that when the time comes when a job is in near sight, you are prepared and confident!

That is all for now, but I will check back next week after my big midterm is over! Wish me luck (:

Posted by Rachel

A Semester of Variety

The semester has already started full force for me. So far I am enjoying my classes and schedule, although it will take some time for me to get into a proper routine. This semester it seems like I do something different everyday—although I welcome the variety my schedule holds for me, it can leave me feeling a bit out of sorts.

This semester I’m only taking 12 credit hours, and continuing my internship and part time jobs. In order to keep my promise to myself of creating balance, I decided to drop a few of the student organizations I had previously been a part of in past semesters. I analyzed all of my involvements over winter break, and determined which ones held true passion and meaning in my life. It was hard to admit to myself that I couldn’t do everything— but I know in the long run it’s what is best for me.

I have quite a few things to look forward to this semester—I’m taking a really interesting service learning class, I’m starting to create my own research project within my internship, and I will be co-facilitating a diversity program for first year students. This semester I also hope to critically think about planning my senior year and applying for jobs and graduate school. I’m trying to cram in as many informational interviews, and self-exploration time as possible. I’m sure I’ll have lots to blog about!

Posted by Anne

New Semester, New Endeavors

It’s a new year and I am back from a long and relaxing break in California! As sorority recruitment is coming to an end, I can proudly say that I am starting my second semester as a new member of A O Pi! I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing chapter.

I can also now officially say I am a business major, although I don’t actually apply to Kelley until the spring. After last semester, I decided Informatics was not an area I wanted to pursue. I enjoyed learning about it, but I couldn’t see myself working in that field. After finishing up my first business class and enjoying it (BUS-K 201), I enrolled for several business classes this semester. I am taking Business Presentations (BUS-X 104), Accounting (BUS-A 100), and Career Perspectives (BUS-X 220). I am also taking Intro to Psychology (PSY-P 101), World Music and Cultures (FOLK-F 111), and Finite Mathematics (MATH-M 118).

So far, I am enjoying all of my classes! However, I am going to have to work hard in BUS-X 104 because I’ve never taken a speech or presentation class prior to college, and that is what that class consists of. I am typically an outgoing person, but I have a lot of trouble speaking in front of a large group by myself.

I am really excited for this semester! Not only for Little 5, but for my classes as well! I have three professors that were highly recommended to me, and I can tell why they were suggested. They have a passion for teaching that really lights up the room. I am excited to share more as my semester continues. Be back soon!

Posted by Rachel

Can I Handle This?

My professor made a comment last week in my Sociology of Religion class that really resonated with me. We were discussing the Central American Peace Movement, and what social factors contributed to creating and making this movement successful. My professor made a comment about how personal reflections and accounts from Central American refugees "humanized the problem" for many Americans. This comment stuck in my head for the rest of the day. I thought about it while I was waiting for the bus, while I was eating my PB&J sandwich, and even while I was supposed to be paying attention in my Gender Studies class. The wheels in my head kept on turning, thinking of how often times, a personal connection to an issue is what makes the problem seem real and pressing.

In many ways, my internship has humanized a lot of problems for me. Problems of drug addiction and substance use, problems of mental health and domestic violence. When I took on this internship, I was drawn by my passion for social change and contribution. After years of watching Law and Order, and all the Criminal Justice classes I had under my belt, I felt that I was more than prepared to handle anything that came my way. After all, I did read almost every Nancy Drew book (Spoiler Alert: the later books kind of lost substance for the narratives, so I made a decision to stop with the series), what couldn’t I handle?

Well, apparently Nancy Drew had some thick skin, and some serious emotional disengagement skills. As the weeks progress, I find myself becoming more and more emotionally overwhelmed with my internship. Turns out although classes can prepare you for the situations you may face, actually experiencing the situation is a lot different. It’s easy to strategize and see a clear solution from a textbook, but seeing a problem in front of your face changes your perspective completely. I have become extremely invested in the clients Centerstone helps—and leaving these emotions at my internship has been difficult. These emotions are having me question whether or not I can handle a career in the mental health and counseling field. Although I am passionate about the subject, and passionate about helping others, I’m worried the stress may become overwhelming…

Will these emotions subside with prolonged experience, or will I continue to feel emotionally overwhelmed?

Posted by Anne