Eighteen credit hours, two jobs, two volunteer experiences, two executive board positions, and a budding research experience are just a few of the things that defined my junior year at the University of Cincinnati. Although it seemed as if I would never get through it, it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding years of my life. Not only was I able to achieve goals that I had set for myself before I began undergrad, but also I was able to give back to the community and share so much of what I have learned and gained with others.
This year I learned so much about what it means to truly help, motivate, coach, and mentor other individuals. I am thankful that I was chosen to be an Academic Coach at the UC Learning Assistance Center for the 2015-2016 Academic Year. During the training process I learned so many techniques on how to effectively work with and collaborate with students who may need extra academic support, rather than simply telling them what to do. Most of my learning came from the actual experience where I worked with students from different backgrounds, ideologies, and academic majors. When I look back on the experience I realize that my students taught me more than I would have ever expected. They taught me how to be more conversational, how to listen effectively and provide helpful feedback, how to think critically in solving issues that I may have never had to deal with, and most importantly how to be a mentor and to share insights I have learned throughout my collegiate experience to help them. These are skills that I will need all throughout my life and career as a Speech-Language Pathologist and I hope that these skills will continue to be refined by my students for the upcoming year.
I also was fortunate enough to be able to participate in two different semester-long service-learning experiences that allowed me to use what I have learned in classes to give back to populations so near to my heart. During Fall semester I volunteered at Parker Woods Montessori with a first grade Spanish-speaking girl who was socially outcasted simply because she spoke another language. Being able to interact with her in English and Spanish, and also to translate for her mother, allowed me to bridge gaps for her in the classroom and to give her a sense of belonging. During Spring Semester I volunteered at the UC Early Learning Center and was able to use techniques I learned in class to aid in the speech and language development of preschoolers. Both of these experiences allowed me to put on a lens in which I got to see through the eyes of these children, put myself in their shoes, and provide them with the best support that I could, which was beyond enriching for me.
This year I hope to build upon some of the successes I have been able to gain and to continue to serve. I plan to continue working as an Academic Coach and giving back to University students, and I also plan to volunteer at Arlitt Center and help on a project that works with bilingual preschoolers and their families. As I am heading into my final year of undergrad I can reflect on all that has been given to me by this great University. The University has supported me and allowed me to break out of my shell and become a true leader. This year it is my goal to come full circle and to continue to give back what I have gained to the campus and surrounding communities.
This year I learned so much about what it means to truly help, motivate, coach, and mentor other individuals. I am thankful that I was chosen to be an Academic Coach at the UC Learning Assistance Center for the 2015-2016 Academic Year. During the training process I learned so many techniques on how to effectively work with and collaborate with students who may need extra academic support, rather than simply telling them what to do. Most of my learning came from the actual experience where I worked with students from different backgrounds, ideologies, and academic majors. When I look back on the experience I realize that my students taught me more than I would have ever expected. They taught me how to be more conversational, how to listen effectively and provide helpful feedback, how to think critically in solving issues that I may have never had to deal with, and most importantly how to be a mentor and to share insights I have learned throughout my collegiate experience to help them. These are skills that I will need all throughout my life and career as a Speech-Language Pathologist and I hope that these skills will continue to be refined by my students for the upcoming year.
I also was fortunate enough to be able to participate in two different semester-long service-learning experiences that allowed me to use what I have learned in classes to give back to populations so near to my heart. During Fall semester I volunteered at Parker Woods Montessori with a first grade Spanish-speaking girl who was socially outcasted simply because she spoke another language. Being able to interact with her in English and Spanish, and also to translate for her mother, allowed me to bridge gaps for her in the classroom and to give her a sense of belonging. During Spring Semester I volunteered at the UC Early Learning Center and was able to use techniques I learned in class to aid in the speech and language development of preschoolers. Both of these experiences allowed me to put on a lens in which I got to see through the eyes of these children, put myself in their shoes, and provide them with the best support that I could, which was beyond enriching for me.
This year I hope to build upon some of the successes I have been able to gain and to continue to serve. I plan to continue working as an Academic Coach and giving back to University students, and I also plan to volunteer at Arlitt Center and help on a project that works with bilingual preschoolers and their families. As I am heading into my final year of undergrad I can reflect on all that has been given to me by this great University. The University has supported me and allowed me to break out of my shell and become a true leader. This year it is my goal to come full circle and to continue to give back what I have gained to the campus and surrounding communities.