Save Money on Clinic Materials

If you are thinking about purchasing some of your own clinic materials then you will want to check out Lakeshore Learning Outlet Store’s big sale this weekend only!

Keep reading to see this week's Wednesday Q & A!

Q&A Wednesday: Keeping Track of Deadlines

Will my advisor help me keep on track with all requirements, deadlines, etc. without me having to ask?

Unfortunately, your advisor will not be the main person keeping you on track with graduate requirements. You are responsible for meeting deadlines, setting up necessary appointments with your advisor, and completing applications and paperwork. At the graduate school orientation on September 19, 2006, the advisors handed out a document that described the deadlines for requirements during your graduate studies. Think of it as a two-year syllabus, and keep that schedule handy because those deadlines will creep up on you!

That is not to say that your advisor will not help or remind you, but he/she will not be able to remind you of all upcoming deadlines. An easy solution is to use organizers or calendars. A great method is to enter deadlines into MS Outlook Calendar with reminders that give you enough time to meet the deadlines (e.g., two weeks). Another great resource is your classmates! You all have the same deadlines so keeping each other accountable is another great way to ensure all requirements are met.

One thing that your advisors will remind you is to keep all your paperwork (and/or copies) in case any questions arise!

First Fall NSSLHA Meeting on October 9, 2006 in KH B-111 @ 6:20 P.M.

Welcome back to school!

NSSLHA invites all COMD students (SLPs & Auds) to join us for our first meeting of the academic school year! We have an exciting year planned and we want you to be part of it!

Stay tuned for more news on what specialties we will feature at the next meeting, on Monday, October 9, 2006!

Please join us on Monday in King Hall Basement-111 during the X-hour (6:20 - 7:10 P.M.) for special guest speakers and X-hour snacks!

Q& A Wednesday: Tough Classes and Tips

What are the tough classes to watch out for? Any tips?

To be completely honest, it is difficult to pinpoint which classes are tough. There is no one class that everyone will agree is the toughest (or easiest). Every class is challenging in its own respect because each has different requirements and expectations. Some classes require more writing while others require presentations. What is most important is realizing where your strengths are. One way of looking at the classes is to think that they are all equally challenging; all classes require some amount of rote memorization along with synthesis/analysis and application of that information. All of our professors are extremely adept at teaching you; however, your way of receiving the information may not jive with their teaching methods.

Remember, "challenging" does not mean impossible!

There are many ways to make your educational career easier. Start off by honing your time management and organizational skills. As crazy as it sounds, a great suggestion is studying ahead of time. A simple way is to review your notes just once either the same night of lecture or immediately before class. Many students audio-record lectures and listen to them, whether it be in their cars or even at the gym (what better way to combat lecture-induced lethargy than by exercising?). Also try different study techniques; if you have never studied with flashcards before, it's not too late to try them. Again, it may also depend on the class material. For instance, creating charts and flashcards for neuro classes can be quite helpful. Discussing educational theories in detail with your classmates can help you memorize them more efficiently.

Above all, remember that your classmates are your best allies. If study groups are beneficial, meet with your classmates. You all will have the same/similar schedules so finding a time to meet on campus should be relatively easy. Remember, a study group doesn't mean there has to be ongoing discussion. You can all sit around a table and ask a question when one comes up. Quizzing each other is often helpful. Please do not be afraid to ask your professor a question! If you are not comfortable asking in class, ask them via e-mail or during his/her office hours.

Although this often happens, try your best to avoid forgetting all information immediately after you complete an exam. You will quickly realize that class material can overlap in graduate school. The more you remember, the less you have to study the next time around. One of the best ways to retain learned information is to learn it “as you go.” If you cram it all in the weekend before the test you will forget it. However, if you learn it over between when it is taught and when it is tested you are much more likely to remember it.

Our professors are a closely-knit team who work proficiently and efficiently to provide us with knowledge. They are well-aware of what material each of them has taught us so they confidently assume you have mastered that "old" material. It is in your best interest and knowledge to not spend class time asking the professor to review material that should have been learned already from a previous quarter. There is only so much time before you will begin clinic and externships. The more new information you gain, the more confidence you will have when you become a student clinician.

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Check back next week for another Q & A!

First Day of School Eve

Hello hello!

Thank you to all graduate students who showed up to tonight's (mandatory) meeting. As Dr. Peterson noted, we have an incredibly diverse crowd of graduate SLP and Audiology students from New Zealand to the Philippines and New York to California!

Tonight, the second year and part-time grad students hosted a casual Welcome Soiree for the first year grads. To the left are our five lucky raffle winners of Starbucks or Target gift cards (left to right: Nancy, Vanessa, Diane, Ira, and Janet). Congratulations!

At tonight's Welcome Party for the new first year graduate SLP students, a few students anonymously submitted questions they were afraid to ask aloud. Over the next few weeks, we will post one question and answer a week. These questions are not necessarily specific to first year graduate students at CSULA. Therefore, we encourage you to read the posts, too! If you have questions, you are always welcome to slip them into Locker #23 anytime or in the NSSLHA suggestion box during our meetings (or in the Clinician Prep Room).

Please mark you calendars for our first NSSLHA meeting of the year! Although our meetings are generally the first Mondays of each month, we are observing Yom Kippur; therefore, our meeting will be on October 9th during the X-hour (6:10 - 7:00 P.M.). Stay tuned for further updates!

Have a great first day of school!

Making a Wish for Cole's Creation

From ColdStoneCreamery.com:

Celebrate the 5th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social and Support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® with Cold Stone Creamery

To support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® during the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery will be selling Make-A-Wish wall stars to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Visit your local Cold Stone Creamery and try a very special “Make-A-Wish Creation™” inspired by Cole, a 10 year old Wish Child from Colorado. Cole’s Creation combines chocolate ice cream with fluffy yellow cake, chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles.

To cap off this special month, please join us for the 5th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream, family activities and good-natured fun.

Search our site for a location near you. On September 28th from 5:00 - 8:00pm, guests will be treated to a serving of Cole’s Creation*. In exchange for the free Creation, customers are encouraged to make donations to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

*Free Creation refers to a 3 ounce portion of Cole’s Creation served in a cup.

Graduate Students Meeting

Hello all!

First things first ~ congratulations to our incoming class of first year graduate students! We welcome you with much excitement and anticipation! Getting into the program is just the beginning of your new career, and we want you to know that we are here for you. Who better to share in your awesome achievements, report/project-induced agony, and (embarrassing) learning experiences than students who have been there already? So don't forget to join us after the mandatory meeting on September 19th for a little soiree in the COMD Department! We will even give you the dime tour of the King Hall Basement wing!

Part-Timers and Second Year Graduate Students ~ congratulations on making it part-way/halfway through the program! Think of how much you have learned and experienced just within the past year. It may get harder, but it is only going to get better. You are that much closer to your degree. ;)

To new and returning undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students, we warmly welcome you back to a new school year! You are always more than welcome to approach any of us for questions, concerns, and periodic reality checks. ;)

To all COMD students ~ We are looking forward to a new school year with you! Come and get involved with NSSLHA! Time flies fast (when you're having fun) so we encourage you to make the most of every learning opportunity. Remember that (great love) and great achievements involve great risks. Just ask any of us "veteran" graduate students ~ we have shared in more great risks in the classroom and clinic than we care to blog about!

Stay tuned for our first Fall NSSLHA meeting!

ASHA Mentor Program

Hello!
Just a reminder that September 30 is the last day to apply for the ASHA Mentor/Mentee program!

For more information, please see our August 16th entry. Join today!