Class Reflection #4 - The End?

So here is today... the last day of Student Development. What have I learned through this course? How are these theories going to aid me in my quest to help students through times of need and which theory is best in which situation. The main thing that I learned is that Chickering is to theory as Michael Jackson is to pop and Elvis is to Rock N' Roll; the King. I am not one of his royal subjects though because all I can remember is the fact that he has 7 vectors and that the second one is Managing Emotions. So next year if one of the 1st years asks me about Chickering I will reply with "Managing Emotions?"

On a more serious note the one thing that I learned in the class is that the student's opinion matters. I know that this seems like a no brainer, but I do not think that this fact is on a lot of people's minds when they start the class. They come in the class thinking I am going to learn all these theories that will help me understand the student, before they understand themselves. The fact is that these theories can only give you guidance, not answers. They guide you to where the student may be and what some approached might be in order to best help the student, not diagnose them like a psychologist that you are not, unless you really do have the training in that capacity. I really did not think about this until we were reviewing Schlossberg's theory and how the student must say that they are going through a transition for it to really be a transition  I stated to think isn't that the case with most of the theories? The student must identify something in order for it to fit in the theory. For example the Cross Racial Identity theory says that there must be an encounter that the student goes through and they will dive deeper into their race. Well the student would have to identify that that encounter was a moment that they become aware of their race and then really agree with the diving into the race aspect. As I shared last reflection post I had an encounter, but to say that I dived into my race and was proving to the world that I am black and proud I would say would be going too far.  

A key tool that we explored in class are the assessment test like MBTI, Holland Code, and True Colors (the latter not being discussed in class). The assessments makes learning about oneself entertaining, if you have the right materials. It lets the student have fun while see why they get along with certain people or why certain environments have been deemed more beneficial to the student. I found it interesting that my personality did not change for MBTI but my percentages did. I was happy with the percentages changes as I think that they finally were correct. I wish as a class we did True Color as it is my favorite personality assessment  I love comparing colors and trying to match people with the 2 color combo and seeing if I am right or what the person has to say about it. Doing these assessments in group are things I look forward to because you can learn so much about your classmates. 

As my first year of grad school comes to an end, I can honestly say that this has been my favorite class thus far. I liked here and evaluating each theory. The more theories that a professional knows the better they can help students. I think the most important part about the theories listed in the book is the application base of the text. Even if you do not understand the full details of what the theorist wants learning why a certain application is recommended can help bridge that gap. 

Class Reflection #3

     Wow its been a whole month since I have been on here. I will talk about my adventures in a non class assigned blog.
     In my last blog post I talked about being lost in class and thinking everyone else knew more and understood more about the theories. Apparently I was wrong because I did so well on the midterm. When Dr. A told me how well I did, I didn't want to believe her. Sure I studied and read, but it seems like I am missing something in class during the discussions. People seem to just jump right on other student's opinions so fast and I am sitting there feeling like I am lost in a tornado by myself. It seems like if i do not speak at the beginning of class for the general overview of the chapter, I would not be able to get a word in, since most of my comments are related to something that was said two people ago.
       Since the midterm we have gone over a lot of theories dealing with race. I thought that I was excited to hear about them and wanted to know more, but I was mistaken. I feel like there is something missing from these theories and that they are so narrowly tailored that they miss the person as a whole.
        Cross for example says that I must have a crisis that makes me aware that I am black and because of that I am going to immerse myself into that culture on an extreme level. I do not believe that is true for most people. I think it makes people aware that they are black and what they need to do to take more of the negative stereotypes off of them. For me that meant excelling in school, not getting pregnant and going off to college on an academic scholarship compared to a minority or athletic scholarship. I never was Black Power or saying that the man is trying to hold me back. I understand that this may be a more time aspect to Cross's theory, but it is still the more used racial identity theory.
          I wish that the multiracial studies were more researched than they currently are because I find those more interesting than the other racial identity theories. Only because a lot of these students have to choose between which world they belong in and sometimes they make the wrong choice socially. I am glad that we discussed in class that this is not just a black and white issue, but a wide spread issue. I think that most people think of this mix when talking about multiracial people and I think it is time to change that mentality, because student will feel even more out casted   They end up not fitting in anywhere and there has to be more done in this area as students who fall into this category are becoming more prominent that ever before.
         My last note for this post is about the readings for gender identity. I thought the posted Blazeview reading was pointless. All it did was give a quick outline on all the theories that we discussed about women before. It would have been a lot more useful before the midterm, but that is all the good it did. I feel like overall I took nothing from that section of the reading and it probably going to be the one that I have to study the most when it comes time for the final.

Class Reflection #2

In the past two weeks since the last reflection we have gone over about eight more theories. These last set of theories were not that hard to comprehend or not as difficult as the first 12 theories that we discussed in class. My particular favorite of this set was Schlossberg's Transition Theory. I like this one more in so that it is very laid out and it is very inclusive to a large group of people on purpose. It did not start out as a man only study or a women's study that could actually be applied to males. The process that is laid out and the 4 S's are very detailed that you can easily plug situations into and see them develop as stated in the theory.

The two theories that I am having issues with are the ones in the faith and spirituality section. I am aware that it may be my own skeptical rational of religion, faith, and beliefs; but it seems that I cannot get pass it in order to get a true meaning out of the theories. I prefer Park's Theory on faith and spirituality because she includes the young adulthood section to the theory. I think that this is essential, because I believe that all religious people have questioned whether their religion is worth following at some point, whether they state this aloud or not. I am not sure if I missed this part of theory as I looked over it, but I wish there would have been discussion of if someone is stuck in a stage or period and how that would affect the theory as a whole. 

I am really excited to get into the social identity theories, especially just coming off the completion of The Tunnel. I believe that the issues that are going to be addressed in this section of the text are the ones that we as student affairs professional are going to be dealing with on a more day-to-day basis. I also have a very strong interest in social justice issues and these theories address multiple issues that fall into that category. 

Class Reflection #1

Have you ever felt like you were the odd man out in a group? Well welcome to my life, while I am in my College Student Development class. I feel like everyone else is getting what is going on with the theories and I am being left in the dust, with a look of confusion on my face. 

I think the main problem that I am having is that all the theories are sounding just alike to me. They may have teeny tiny differences, but overall they are saying the same thing. This overwhelming feeling is worse when I am reading the chapters outside of class. I really do not understand most of them while I am reading in preparation for the class. Since I do not understand any of them and how they are supposed to be implemented I feel like I am coming to class unprepared and in a worse off condition that I be in if I did not read. 

Once I am in class, the understanding of the theories is much clearer, as Dr. A is able to summarize the theories’ components in one sentence, or one theme. After I get that one theme, I am able to fill in what the authors of the book where trying to accomplish in the first place. This makes me realize that the problem with the theories is more me than anything else. I am still in an adjustment phase as to how the information can be best obtained for me to get real meaning out of them.

I do I have a problem for almost all the women theories that we have gone over though, as I do not understand how they only pertain to women. I feel like every single woman themed theory can be applied to the male masses, if need be. I understand the need for these theories a few decades ago, but now I feel like using them would be more of a step backward than a step forward. 

There's No Such Thing

What is this bad day you speak of?? In my program both of the main professor have told us "There is NO such thing as a bad day in student affairs" Well are there things called bad weeks, months, semesters, years??? No, well I guess its time to put on the S.A face and get into the trenches.
I feel there is so much going on in my life right now, and I am stuck with thinking am I doing the right thing? I know that I really want to go into this field, but I feel like everything else in my life is screaming NO! I seem to be having student meetings internally with myself more than I actually have student meetings in the office. Questions like How are you doing this week? Your classes? Well just because you are feeling hopeless and lost doesn't mean is not true. I am pretty sure I am not the only hopeful S.A who is having this inner convo with themselves several times a week. I know that S.A people are just that people, but when you are trying to help build other people up, sometimes it feels like you are the biggest liar. How am I suppose to be genuinely positive, when i feel like crap on the inside?
I think that the goal is to be honest with myself and know my limitations. I can be upbeat and positive as I know that these students really can make a difference. I need to be positive about my position in life it can always be worse. I could have just kept on driving my car and my engine could have exploded or stopped working while I was driving. I could have no friends who weren't willing to drive me to school or get me from school, but none of these are the case. I am still alive and I still have a job and am working on working in my dream field. I think its time that I take a page from my own book and learn from what is happening to me and stop mopping around. Just because I don't have the full support from my family, but I have survived that before and I will do so now. Sometimes working by and for yourself is the best thing that can happen.

Allow me to introduce myself

My name is Tye (WITH AN E!!) and I am a second semester grad student at Valdosta State University in the Higher Education Leadership: Student Affairs M.Ed program. For those who don't know this means I want to work in a college as a staff member within Student Life, not being a principle. I decided that I was going to start a blog as one of my new year resolutions and because I had recently re-read on of my favorite books Lilah's List, in which she has a blog that details her adventures. Of course I keep on putting it off and thinking I will eventually do it, but know my professor gave me a binding reason to do it.... a grade.
That's right I have the option of using a blog as a way to reflecting on what I have been learning and understanding College Student Development. I thought hey that is a great way of getting on of my resolutions out of the way and maintaining what I hope to be a good grade. Wish me luck as I navigate my way through internships, classes, my assistantship, and that unpredictable thing called life!!!