The Beginning:
When I first started at Springfield College, I came in as a Communications Sciences and Disorders major aka Speech-Language Pathology, thinking I had my whole life planned out. I was so excited for the classes, to meet new friends and put myself up for a new challenge. The first two semesters of classes. I was failing. Failing at making good friends, failing homework assignments, quizzes, exams, you name it. I fell so deep into a hole and didn’t know how I was going to dig myself out. I was having meetings constantly with my advisor and professor, trying to get extra help and forcing myself to believe this is what I wanted to do with my life. When I tell you my old professor looked me in the eyes and told me I wasn’t good enough for this major, believe me. My whole plan shattered and in result, I became lost, depressed, and unmotivated.
The Transition:
I love helping people, I always knew that, and wanted to go into a field where I can do that everyday. I also love Springfield College, and didn’t want to throw it away, so I decided to research every health science/ service to others major and dissect them to hopefully find a new home.
Oh Oh, Therapeutic Recreation, this sounds so cool but what on earth is that? Thank goodness I had a friend in the Recreation Management program and our good ole friend Google who told me nothing but good things, so after a few emails and meeting professors within the program, I knew this was it. A new home. Diving in deeper into TR, I found out about the national exam that we have to take to earn our credentials and oh man did I freak. Exams weren’t my cup of tea in ComDis, high school, middle school, etc. but I knew that if I found the passion and love for the profession, I COULD DO IT.
The Present:
Fast forward two years later and we are now in our Professional Trends and Issues class. I have gained SO MUCH knowledge of the field, but it’s time to take what i’ve learned and apply it. We are given the assignment to take a practice exam for the national exam. The exam itself consists of 150 multiple choice questions where you have three hours to complete it. Taking the practice exam, I was STRESSED. Trying to understand what the question is actually asking as well as remembering everything you’ve learned in class is quite the challenge.
As I corrected my exam, I started to see a lot more x’s than check marks and that's where I became extremely discouraged. I was so hard on myself thinking I am better than this and that this exam is going to ruin my life. Wait a second..hold up girl, get a hold of yourself, IT’S YOUR FIRST TEST. YOU WILL BE OK!
The time has come to take the second practice test, where I gave myself a little pep talk and reevaluated. Gianna you have come so far in life, you can do this. I was ready and more confident. This time, I did SO much better and if it were to be the real thing, I would have passed and received my credentials which made me so proud. I knew that I was good enough, but it wasn't easy.
The Future:
I have decided I want to sit for my exam right after I graduate so all knowledge is fresh in my mind. If you were to ask me 4 years ago if I would be able to take a national exam, I would have told you no, but after all the love and support I have received, I know I can do it. Will it be hard and scary, absolutely, but WE GOT THIS. Here's to studying harder than I've ever studied before!
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