This year had its moments, but overall, it was a good year I do not want to forget. Many milestones took place, and while my sanity was on the fleeting verge of escaping me, I am ending the year with a happy heart and ready to roll into 2019 recharged. I will not rehash the earlier memories of the year since those have probably been in umpteen photo montages. My friends and I have made so many accomplishments this year, and I do not say that to brag. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and this semester is evidence enough. Through countless hours of studying together, watching a few (or more) episodes of Friends, and eating many meals together, we saw each other through the highs and lows. There is an obvious theme for what gets us through each semester. I was especially excited to finish up last year’s research project and take it to present at ASHA. Going to ASHA is a thrilling experience but getting to present (for the second time) is incredible. This year marked the close of a project we saw through from almost the beginning, and publications for the last two presentations will soon be coming. Seeing the hard work become something that will contribute to research is surreal. What initially started as narratives and lists of themes quickly became something that meant more than I could have ever imagined. The day to present came, and I was stoked. Throughout this year’s ASHA, I made a point to interact more with the professionals with interests that aligned with mine and hoped to meet some of them if the opportunity arose. Well, sure enough, I ran into many of the people I met through Friends, as well as attend sessions of whom I have read numerous articles from and gain inspiration. Getting to listen to Glen Tellis, Scott Yaruss, Craig Coleman, and Ken St. Louis had to be some of my favorite ASHA moments. Not only did I absorb every word they said in their sessions, but I also had the privilege of researching with Dr. St. Louis and Dr. Gabel and present that research to some prominent people in the field. As the year went on, I felt such a metamorphosis take place, and I owe that to an opportunity to earn an additional certificate alongside my master’s degree. When I started out wanting to pursue speech-language pathology, I thought I wanted to work with special needs children and only that. As I got involved in research with my advisor, I realized the purpose and passion I have for the profession was taking me down a different path than what I expected. Stuttering became a huge area of interest for me, and I knew I wanted to make that a focus as I went through the rest of my education. Taking extra coursework to fulfill the certificate in this area and creating my research project were breakthroughs in further discovering what my future held and what I hoped to do with the new knowledge and guidance I have received this semester. Besides a huge thanks to my parents and friends for dealing with me being a wreck at times, I also need to thank my academic and research advisor, Dr. Gabel. Without him, I know I would not be at the place I am today. He opened my eyes to another side of the profession and made a way to give us the best opportunities to gain perspectives and a chance to take ownership of our interests. It is not every day you meet a professor who cares that much about the success of their students, as well as show genuine concern when struggles come. I cannot begin to place a value on the investment he made in my education and hopeful research, and I will forever be grateful for that. I had a strong support team all semester long. I feared I would be letting them down, but they kept holding me up no matter what. That is partly what made this semester so hard. I had come so far and being a student was what I have always been good at, so keeping up with my own standards made me push myself even harder. In that aspect, I have always been a pleaser, and I irrationally equate academic performance and achievements to worth. While being my worst critic, I internalized every little thing that happened this year, and once I let go of unrealistic demands only I was placing on myself and appreciating the little things that made me happy, I knew that the only way I would be letting down the people who have cheered me along was by not doing what I love. So much of this year has been a blur, yet it felt like an eternity at the same time. I learned more about myself and grew in my hopes and desires. Through networking, I have met wonderful people. By being curious, I am actively searching for answers through research. And, for the first time, instead of asking others, I am asking myself: “do I make you proud?” Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2018
1 Comment
Rod Gabel
12/31/2018 10:58:56 am
Your hard work and gratitude is always enough! I am looking forward to working with you in 2019!
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