This week I had my first classes, and what a whirlwind it was. The first class that I had was an undergraduate class, CGRS 101 Peace and Justice Studies. The professor is very kind, Dr. Tolley, and so far I’ve been enjoying the class, it reminds me of Dr. Vegas’ Psychology of Good and Evil class, which is really cool because I feel more confident participating in class.
On Tuesday, I had my first master’s class, Research Methods with Dr. Gaffney, who is the head of our AR program. I have several friends in this class, which is really nice because we can start a study group, and I think that we will do well in this class. We have already started doing assignments and reading articles. James and Khristina really weren’t kidding when they said that I would have a lot of readings! This class seems really interesting and even though we just covered the syllabus on the first day, I think I am going to be learning a lot in this class.
Wednesday, I had my CGRS class again, and it was quite fun. It is a short class from 1:30 to 2:20 because it is a ‘Service-Learning class, ‘ meaning we have to volunteer in the community for 15 hours this semester, which sounds really fun and like a good way to get connected in the community. I have volunteered quite a bit in my life, and I really enjoy it and so I am looking forward to being able to get involved in the community up here.
Thursday, I have back-to-back classes for 5 hours. I had the first research methods proseminar, which was really good, and was very similar to how Dr. Duran described it. It is a lot of talking and participating for 3 hours. We get to do a journal club, which seems really fun, and I am looking forward to that. Dr. Hahn seems very sweet, and she is encouraging all of us, with constant advice of how to succeed to the best of our ability in the AR program. A big perk is that the classroom is in BSS, and we overlook the bay from class so it is really pretty. Right after that class in the same room is our Research Methods lab with Benny. Benny is very kind and fun. I enjoyed this class quite a bit. Benny seems very down to earth, and willing to help us students with assignments and advice, which is really going to come in handy.
On Friday I had a meeting with Dr. Gold, and we discussed the program, what can after the program, and what to do, and not to do while in this program and beyond. We then discussed the lab and he was telling me about what the thesis entails. He said he is open to his grad students picking what they want to research if we already have an idea, and if not we can do it on something being worked on in the lab. I talked to him about Imposter Phenomena and Internalized Misogyny, and he approved the idea. So a shout out to James, who let me highjack his project, and for being willing to let me work on it in grad school. I very much appreciate that he is letting me take this project.
In other news, I got a job interview at campus dining and got hired on the spot by Kyle, which is very exciting. It also helps eliminate some stress now that I have a job, and I will start having my mom pull out a certain amount of money from my paychecks so that I can save up money for next semester. I will start working next week, which is very exciting. Also, Emma’s wedding is coming up and I am very excited for the opportunity to attend, and I can’t wait to celebrate her big day with her. She said she is going to cover me for the bachelorette day, which I really appreciate because it is going to cost me about 500 dollars to travel round-trip, I believe.
I will write again to y’all next week! See ya!