Experiencing College/Grad School Burnout

Hi everyone!

It's been awhile since I have posted anything, but I thought now would be a good time to talk about burnout in college/graduate school.

I am in my second year of my graduate studies now (and am almost done with one more semester to go). This semester has been challenging in many ways...

First off, at the beginning of the semester, I had a class with a person that I am not comfortable being around. I spent the first half of the semester trying to figure out my emotions in the situation and how to deal with it. Being that I have a hard time socially in general (partially because of my NVLD), having a class with someone I hoped to never see again was quite a surprise to me. As for the class itself, that's come with a whole other list of things that are difficult. 

Second, I started my research internship, which is a necessary step for me to take in order to get my master's degree in sociology. This has been a new and unique learning experience for me! I am learning what it is like to interview research participants in my study (ethically) and how to apply the skills I have learned throughout my time in the sociology graduate program. 

With all that being said, I have developed some burnout! This is when someone starts to lack motivation to do some of the tasks they may have. Being that I am in a class that has been difficult for me, I have lacked motivation myself with doing the assignments for that class. I have still done them, it has just taken me longer than normal because my motivation is just not there. 

Some things that help me with this includes listening to music (I like to be able to get in the zone). If I have a lot of energy to where I cannot focus, I go workout. Sometimes I'll use my rusty swimming skills and hit the pool or I will go for a jog outside. Being that I live in Colorado, the weather this time of year is unpredictable and that can be hard. I hope this provides you with ways to help when you are burned out. This can pertain to work or school. 

Anyways, that's my update. I hope you all enjoy it!

Caitlin.

My First Car Accident and Getting Back on the Road Again

 Hi everyone,

In this post, I will be talking about driving and my first car accident, which I got into two months ago.

In June, I was driving up to the city where I am attending graduate school because I had a job up there for three weeks. I had been driving back and forth each week to stay with a friend for the days I had to be up there. As I was getting on the highway to head up to my school, a van came up and was not going to let me on the road, so I sped up to get past him and then tried to get into another lane. As I was getting into the other lane, there was a car in my blindspot and I ended up hitting their right rear passenger fender. 

I was so shaken up. I had never been in a car accident before, let alone caused one. Driving has always been overwhelming for me. Due to my Nonverbal Learning Disability and anxiety, it took me until I was 22 to get my drivers license. So getting into a car accident was not fun for me, nor is it for anyone. Since then, I have not been driving much. I only drove when I had to. 

This past weekend, I had made plans with my friend who had just gotten engaged and we wanted to celebrate. She had to get her car serviced in town and she had asked me to pick her up from the car dealership where that was happening. I said I would but I was super nervous about driving to the other side of town on the local highway. 

As it turns out, I did okay. I made it to pick my friend up and did not have to deal with much traffic. And I also made it home with no problems too! 

Driving can be very scary sometimes, so if you are someone who is new to driving or has not driven in awhile, especially if you have anxiety about it, it's okay to be nervous but you just need to practice and put yourself back on the road again!

Camp Shriver 2023!

 Hello everyone!

This weekend, I had an amazing opportunity to be a camp counselor for a camp put on by Special Olympics Colorado called Camp Shriver. It is a camp for high school aged kids with and without disabilities to come together and do outdoor activities and have a summer camp experience! We had several athletes and unified partners from across the state of Colorado. 

The opportunity for me to be a counselor at this camp (for a second year in a row) is huge for me as it gives me a chance to help other individuals with disabilities and make a difference in their lives. 

I connected with so many campers. One of the campers in my group had autism and came the year before and did not speak much. This year, he was talking lots and more open to trying new things. There was another camper who I got to know and it turns out that we were on the same swim teams around the same time, which is really cool and makes me think about how it is a small world sometimes!

I enjoy doing things like this because I can use my own experiences with my nonverbal learning disability and other issues to help others with different types of disabilities. I can build a connection with them because I know what they are going through or dealing with! 

Anyways, this post is short but I wanted to share about my amazing experience being a counselor at Camp Shriver! 

P.S. the photo is my friend Emi and I. We were counselors for the Green Team at camp!

Completing My First Year of Grad School and Life Update

 Hi everyone,

It's been awhile since I have written on my blog. I have had a lot happen in the last few months or so. 

First off, I wanted to talk about how I made it through my first year of graduate school. It was a rough road but I did it! I faced many challenges including some with my mental health and personal issues that occurred during this time. This made grad school very hard. 

During my first semester, I wanted to drop out. My classes were hard, I had no clue what I was doing, and I was working three jobs! I did have a cool opportunity to go to New York City during this time though with my mom. We went to the NVLD Project Annual Fundraiser Gala. This was a new city for both me and my mom. We got some much needed mother-daughter bonding time. We saw a lot, from an upstate river cruise on the Hudson River to Times Square and Aladdin on Broadway! We also saw the Statue of Liberty of course and the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. NYC is an amazing place! I would definitely go back and I recommend it if you have not been already! The photo below is my mom and I in Times Square! 

 In January, right before second semester, I got let go from one of those jobs for unknown reasons, but I think it was due to my medical issues. I will never know and it is not worth wondering about. I also stepped down from my position in my university's student government, due to not having enough classes, which was actually good for me because not having to work all the time allowed me to focus on myself. 

Fast forward to this semester, I had an easier time in my classes and I ended up staying in school. Note that the first semester for graduate school is the hardest and everyone has imposter syndrome or does not know what they are doing. I was able to achieve all this due to having great friends who held me accountable for studying and getting my work done. I also finally listened to people in my support system and maintained a structured schedule. I learned the hard way that those things are what I need to succeed. 

Aside from school this semester, I was also making strides socially. I was in my first relationship for two months. It was going well, but I realized that I still had some work to do for myself and I ended it. He was a really good guy, but I just felt I was not ready for a relationship. I learned a lot from this experience, like what I want in the future for myself! 

Now to future endeavors! Next semester, I will be a teaching assistant for a professor in the sociology department at the University of Northern Colorado, where I completed my bachelor's degree and am currently getting my master's in sociology. I will also be starting my graduate internship with the Go on and Learn program as well as still mentoring students in this program as well. Lastly, I will take one class next semester and hopefully be able to graduate next spring! 

These past months have been a whirlwind but I am glad about how things turned out and what my future holds. I also hope to write on this more as I want to continue to inspire others with nonverbal learning disability and just disabilities in general and for people to know that you can do anything you put your mind to!

Until next time,

Caitlin.

Imposter Syndrome at its Finest!

                

Hey everyone,

I know I haven't written in awhile, but I have been crazy busy! Anyways, today I am discussing imposter syndrome. As someone who had been in college for four years and recently started graduate school, I believe this is something that happens to everyone, especially in the world of higher education. 

At some point or another, we have all felt like we do not belong. I have felt this most of my life with having nonverbal learning disability and other challenges I have dealt with. But now, I feel this more than ever since starting my graduate program. '

On my first day of class, my classmates and I had to read a few articles about "imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome id where you feel as if you don't belong somewhere. In my case, it is feeling like I do not have enough knowledge compared to the people in my cohort. There is also a sense of wondering whether it was the right choice for me, rather than going straight into the workforce after walking across that stage four months ago. 

I knew that I was attending grad school at the same place I got my bachelor's degree, so I thought "Oh I won't get imposter syndrome. I know this place, the town, the people. I got this!" Well, even with that, it still happened. The truth is, everyone gets it or has it. No matter whether you have a disability or not, whether you're in the workforce or in the world of academia. You probably have or have had imposter syndrome! I am learning that this is okay and is "normal" to an extent!

Let me know if you have felt this or currently feel this way in the comments!

Until next time,

Caitlin.

Appreciating the People in My Support System!

 

Have you every wondered how someone important to you has impacted your life. I think about this all the time as I do not think I would be as successful as I have been without all the influences in my life. As a recent college graduate with a disability, this is especially important to recognize. The student is not the only one on this journey, everyone supporting a student is on that journey too! It takes a whole team for a student with a disability to find success in school (at least most of the time). 

Being a Role Model for Others Like Me

Another thing I think about now that I have graduated from college is how I have or can be a role model for others like me who want to attend college. I think about this a lot more, especially since becoming a peer mentor for UNC's Go on and Learn program. Many of the students I have worked with in the program have become some of my closest friends and they look up to me! That is a very rewarding feeling! 

Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a school where one of my old teachers works, Aurora West Preparatory Academy. Since I grew up in suburbia, coming to this inner-city school was a bit of a shock to me. I had passed through this area several times throughout my life, but never really stepped foot in it physically. The environment was very different from the one I went to school in. Many of these kids do not have the support outside of school that I had. They do not have many people to look up to and no plans for their future. 

I helped in my former teacher's classroom with some of the more mild/moderate needs students at the school. That was a blast! All of the students really took to me! One student, Brandon, really liked me! He hung out with me the whole time I was at the school helping out! 

I Am Fortunate to Have All The Support

Aside from helping in the classroom, I spoke to some high school students (it is a 6-12 school) at the school who have learning difficulties and anxiety. I spoke to them about what it is like living with a disability and how you can overcome several obstacles to achieve what you want.

When I was speaking to the high school students, I had one girl ask "how did you afford college?" I was lucky to have all the supports I have had. My parents worked very hard to save money so I could attend college. My teachers (most of them) worked with me to get to a point where college could be a possibility (and it was)! College became a reality and I made it through because of my support system! If I learned anything in the last four years, it is to appreciate what I have and all the support I have received as others may not be as lucky. The photo below would not be possible if it weren't for several of the amazing people I have in my life!!!

Getting My Bachelor's Degree! What's Next? (College Series #4)

 Hey everyone!

I know it has been awhile but I have had a lot go on in the last month! I was in the hospital about a month ago and just a week and a half ago, I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with my Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Sociology! It has been a busy time! 

I wanted to write on the topic of myself getting a college degree as it is becoming a more common occurrence for individuals with learning and cognitive disabilities and I plan to go into a field where I can be an advocate for future college students with disabilities. As I mentioned when I first started writing this blog, my parents were told that I would never read, write, walk, or talk when I was born. Aside from that, graduate with a college degree. 

This is a major milestone for anyone, but especially for people like me! I have always been told by someone at one point or another that I would not be able to do a variety of things (read, write, walk, or talk, make it through middle or high school, etc.). I have proved all those individuals wrong over and over again by achieving this milestone of graduating from college! 

Moving onto what is next! For the summer, I have no clue what my plan is. I know I want to work some to save up and become financially independent (for the most part). I am moving from my studio apartment into a house (with 4 other girls) in Greeley. That bring me to the solidified part of my plan: continuing my education at UNC in their sociology graduate program! My ultimate goal is to go into disability advocacy at colleges and universities. I want to improve services provided for those students as I know what is can be like from that perspective!

Well that's my post for today! I hope you all enjoy reading about my latest endeavors!

Hospital Adventures

 Hey everyone,

So I had my wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday and thought things were gonna be fine. As it turns out, things were not fine. I got a really swollen mouth with a huge lump. I ended up getting an oral infection that turned into sepsis. So I have been in the hospital getting pumped full of antibiotics and steroids because of this. So stressful and frustrating, especially since I grew up in and out of hospitals.

The worst part about the whole thing is that my original surgeon who did the procedure didn't even care that I was in the hospital. He didn't even respond when the ER doctors called him. This has like a 1 in 50 to 100 chance of happening with wisdom teeth removal, well it happened to me. 

Have you had mishaps like this? Post comments down below!

Gaining Motivation (Mental Health Awareness #3)

 Hey everyone!

I know it has been awhile since I have written anything on here. I recently had a reader who asked me how I stay motivated with my nonverbal learning disability and being on the spectrum. This got me thinking writing this post.

For starters, I have had people throughout my life that have told me that I couldn't or I wouldn't be able to do certain things. When I was born, my family was told I would never read, write, walk, or talk. When I hear things like that, I always turn it into motivation in proving those people wrong. I had a teacher once who said I would never make it past middle school (I am about to graduate with my bachelor's degree and start a master's program). The point is that I almost always prove those people wrong and others can do the same. Anyone with a disability can accomplish anything they set their mind to! I think that is something everyone should think about!

For me, I have a harder time getting motivated with short-term things, such as homework and class assignments (I know that doesn't sound good from someone about to graduate from college). Homework is not the most fun thing, but I know it has to get done. When it comes to a schedule whether it's homework or class or an appointment, I use a bullet journal. I LOVE my bullet journal. I use it to write out my feelings, plan out my posts for this blog, make to do lists, and much more! It has been such an amazing thing for me, especially if I am really struggling emotionally and mentally. 

How do you stay motivated? Do you struggle with this skill? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!

Getting Back Into Exercising (Mental Health Awareness #3)

Do you ever have moments where you haven't worked out in awhile? When you come back to it, do you feel out of shape? That's how it was for me last night! 

I recently formed an intramural basketball team with some of my friends at college. We practiced for the first time last night. I haven't played basketball much for a few years, so it's a form of exercise I am not used to. 

It felt really good to get up and moving. Of course I am super sore from it, but there's many things that benefit me when it comes to getting exercise. I feel better mentally and emotionally. It is really something that helps me to stay happy and also get a workout in. 

Tell me how you get a good workout in! Leave a comment in the comments section of my blog!

Being Happy (Mental-Health Awareness #2)

 Hey everyone,

Today, I'm gonna be talking about my journey with mental health and what it has been like overcoming those issues, and what it feels like to be happy. 

I was diagnosed with depression and a mood disorder when I was 16. I probably had those issues for several months before my diagnosis. Before I was officially diagnosed, I had mood swings pretty frequently. One minute, I would be on cloud nine and the next I would be crying on the floor. I would also have times where I would get impulsive or angry. 

I ended up in a mental health hospital on a 72-hour hold, which is basically suicide watch. I had hit rock bottom and was in a very dark place. It was scary for me and my family. I went from being this bubbly, happy human being to being agitated and sad. It was horrible not being the person I know I am.

Once I got out of the hospital, I was put on medications, set up with a psychiatrist, and had to start putting in efforts for my recovery at therapy. I really learned the true value of therapy and my meds when I regressed mentally last semester. I was very depressed and lonely. I felt that no one could help me and that there was no way out. As it turns out, I was wrong. 

I started putting in more work at therapy (more than ever before) because I am the only one that can control my how I deal with my feelings. No one else can do that for me. They can tell me how to do it, but they cannot do it for me. 

Now, I have been happier than I have been since I was 16 and I don't let things get to me as much. It is a weird feeling, but it is so much better than feeling down all the time! 

Have you ever had mental health struggles? How do you cope with stress and other issues? Feel free to leave a comment!

Until next time,

Caitlin

Birthday Celebration: Turning 22!

 Today, I turned 22! Celebrating my birthday has always been different every year. Last year, it was difficult for me to celebrate due to a family matter the previous day. Last year was also my 21st birthday and oddly enough, I did not want to celebrate like everyone else when they turn 21. This year, I have had more people celebrate for or with me than ever before. I am making a bigger deal out of it this year because it actually feels like my birthday! I am so honored to have friends and family that care about me and to celebrate with me! I hope 22 turns into something great!

Preparing for Graduate School and Post-College Life (College Series #4)

 

Hey everyone!

Today I am going to be discussing my plans for after I get my bachelor's degree in May and what else I want to do with my post-grad life!

Current semester and what I am doing!

This semester, I am taking five classes (13 credits). I took Principles of Marketing last semester and I really found it interesting, so I decided to take another marketing class this semester, Retailing. So far, it has been super interesting! I am also taking Environmental Justice (I wasn't sure if I would like this class but it seems like it will be fun and unique), Introduction to Brewing Sciences (I am learning about the sciences behind making beer), and Activities for Stress Management (I wanted to take this class to not have a repeat of last semester with my stress levels and mental health). I am also doing my communication studies internship with WarriorNow (I am doing social media posts and similar activities). 

Continuing my education at the University of Northern Colorado

I recently got accepted and decided to attend graduate school at UNC. This was something I was seriously on the fence about with considering. For starters, I have been kind of burned out with school lately and wasn't sure if I wanted to continue school at this point in my life. On the other hand, I got accepted into the applied sociology program and this will open more doors for me with what I want to do with my career plans. 

With that, I decided I want to take my advocacy skills and use them to advocate for others like me and with other disabilities in higher education. I have had many unique experiences when it comes to being an individual with an "invisible" disability in college. I have dealt with difficult professors, had people who turn away when they find out about my differences, and I've also had some other personal challenges that I've had to learn from. 

I want to help continue to make college a possible option for those who may think they aren't capable or it seems to far out of reach. Everyone deserves an opportunity to attend college/post-secondary education if they want to!

To help make my decision, I talked with several other people I know that are currently doing graduate studies as well. I learned what the course load will look like, how much it would cost, and what resources are available to me while I continue my education. I took a lot of time before fully making a decision. 

There was a lot to consider in this process but I am very happy with my decision and excited to see what my future holds come next fall!

Post in the comments about what starting adulthood was like and if you still have things you want to try in your future! Always open to hearing new input for my blog as well!

Until next time,

Caitlin

Start of the New Semester and Looking Back on Last Semester

 This week was the start of the spring semester at UNC! I am super excited, especially after having a nice and refreshing winter break! 

Looking back on last semester, I have learned a few things. My procrastinating ways finally caught up to me and that was a difficult thing to face. Every semester, everyone tells (and I tell myself) to not procrastinate, but I end up doing that anyways. My emotional and mental states were not the best (I should've had a more positive attitude). 

Anyways, this semester is off to an amazing start. I have some pretty cool classes and not as stressful of a workload. I also have an internship, so that's pretty cool! Some things I am doing to prevent a repeat of last semester include taking an activities for stress management class, continuing seeing my counselor, and writing more. 

Let me know in the comments section what your stress relieving techniques are!

Preparing for the New Semester!

 Hey everyone,

Coming back from Winter Break (or any break from school) can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There's getting everything cleaned up in your living space, checking what textbooks and supplies are needed for classes, and much more. 

This upcoming week, I start my final semester of senior year and in undergraduate studies. I always feel more stressed at the beginning of the semester. This semester is different being that it is my last one and there is a lot I need to think about in terms of post-college life. I recently got accepted to continue my studies at UNC in the sociology graduate program. I really want to consider this option, but school is very expensive and I also want to look into other possible options. 

The beginning of the semester is stressful in general due to new classes, a new schedule adjustment, different professors than the semester before, and there may be more or less homework on the agenda. All of those things combined with making time for friends and self-care, it's a lot to handle. 

In the 7 semesters I have been in college, I have learned to rely on all of the people in my support system to get me through the start of the semester and to always ask for help if I need it. This is the time where I need the most support because it is a CHANGE, and change for me is NEVER easy. I just learn to adapt to it in order to be successful! 

When it comes to school, what is/was the most stressful time for you?

Until next time,

Caitlin

Living On My Own (College Life Series #3)

Hey everyone,

Today, I will be talking about my apartment and how it is going for me living on my own (during the school year). 

There comes a point in college (for some) where living on campus just isn't it anymore. I hit that point after being a resident assistant during the 2020-2021 school year. 

This school year, I was able to get my own studio apartment that's a five minute walk from campus. It has a kitchenette, full size bed, a walk-in closet with a washer and dryer inside, a desk to study, and a bathroom. I chose to decorate it with western and southwestern decorations (It is more decorated now than when those photos were taken). 

Transitioning From Being an RA and Living On Campus to Moving Off-Campus

When I lived on campus, I was constantly surrounded by other people, whether they were other RA's, residents, or hall directors. There was always someone to hang out with or something to do. 

Now, living off campus, I have to come up with ideas to keep myself busy (when I don't have schoolwork) because my friends can't always hang out. We all have busy lives. Luckily, I live right down the street from The Blue Mug (my favorite coffee shop in Greeley), a smoothie shop, and central campus, so I am surrounded by quite a bit of things to do. I go to The Blue Mug quite a bit to get coffee and study. 

I have gotten used to the fact that I am not surrounded by people constantly. It can be very difficult as times seeing as I was so involved as an RA on campus, but it is also really nice to have my own space to go to when I want to be alone. There are pros and cons to it, but for the most part it is good. 

Almost Having to Find a New Apartment

Early in the semester, Greeley almost shut down the complex I live at due to them not paying their bills to the city. This had all the residents/UNC students in chaos. It was around midterms, so trying to find a new place to live was impossible. Luckily, the issue was solved and everyone still lives at the complex. 

Staying Clean and Organized

Keeping my room cleaned and organized has always been something I struggle with (my room at home is not very clean right now haha). Once it gets somewhat disorganized, I struggle with thinking about how to reorganize it and then I put cleaning off due to my frustration. 

I recently started making a list for myself of chores I have to get done around the apartment. Sometimes, it doesn't get done for awhile, but it will eventually. I usually have two to three things for every couple of days that I try to work on. Dishes and laundry are always almost a constant, so they are always on that list. Creating this list has helped me stay somewhat organized around my apartment. I have been pretty successful with being in my own place. 

Tell me your thoughts and how you keep organized. Feel free to always comment in the comments section. 

Hope you all are having a great week!

Caitlin

Academic and Social Supports in College (College Series #2)

Hey everyone!

 Being in college is stressful for anyone who is. It is even worse if you don't have anyone behind you helping you succeed. Today I am going to be talking about the different supports I use to help me be successful in college.

Over the course of four years, I have attended two different colleges: a junior college and a university. The support resources for students are both very similar between the two but also very different. 

Northeastern (NJC) is a small two-year college in Sterling, Colorado. There was under 1000 full-time students when I was there. While there I had services from the transition specialist, the school counselor, tutoring services, and other staff located on campus. 

I am currently at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colorado. UNC is much bigger than Northeastern was, but not bigger than the other large schools in Colorado. Being at a much larger school makes it more difficult to navigate finding resources. At UNC, I have received support from the Disability Resource Center, the counseling center, the Student Health Center, Student Outreach and Support, tutorial services, and my supervisors for my current on-campus jobs.

The transition specialist at NJC and the Disability Resource Center at UNC both have the same type of function. They help provide support for students with disabilities on campus. This is how I get my accommodations for classes, etc. Some of the accommodations I received from both schools was extended testing time and alternate testing location. These accommodations help me focus more on my exams and quizzes as it is hard for me to occasionally finish tests in the time that the rest of my class would typically get and I do not like having distractions from the classroom while I am testing. At UNC, being that it is a much bigger school, I receive a few more accommodations than I did while I was at NJC. I not only receive testing accommodations, but I also receive options to have a peer note-taker or a note taking software, early registration (so I don't panic when it comes to registering for classes), occasional breaks from the classroom (mainly if I am having severe migraines to where I cannot focus), and I meet with an access coordinator every other week to help me stay on top of my assignments and busy schedule. 

Counseling has been provided at both schools I attended. NJC had one counselor for the whole student body being that it was a tiny school. UNC has a whole counseling center with several providers that assist the whole student body. This is a VERY useful resource for me for several reasons. I have struggled with depression and a mood disorder for about 5 years and therapy really helps me cope with struggles of college, personal struggles, and just daily life. It also has helped me understand my emotions better and how to deal with them properly. I go see my psychologist about every 1-2 weeks depending on how things are going. I will probably talk more about mental health in a post later on.

Not only is social life hard, but academics (being that is what college is there for) can be very difficult to handle. Tutoring services are very useful when it comes to getting assistance on a difficult assignment. When I was at NJC, I used their tutorial services A LOT. Their services were 100% free to student when I was there. There were tutors for almost every subject: Math, Science, English and Writing, you name it! This was very helpful for me, especially when I was taking General College Biology and retaking College Algebra (that's a long story). It was also useful when I needed help with writing papers. I know that's hard to imagine seeing as I am writing a blog, but writing research papers is a whole different ballgame! UNC also has tutorial services. They are harder to access and I found that the focus and attention I got was way less than at NJC (perks of a small two-year college). UNC also only has tutoring for certain subjects, which is hard if a student is really struggling in a class that doesn't have tutoring. 

Lastly, I will be talking about support other staff, faculty, and my job supervisors on campus. For almost all of my on-campus jobs between the two schools, I have lucked out on supervisors (the only exception was when I was a resident assistant). 

At NJC, I was a work study for residence life during my sophomore year. Unfortunately, during my first semester that year, I had to leave due to some medical issues, but my supervisor saved my position until I came back, along with my dorm room. I thought that was really cool! When I came back, I had a ton of support and they even helped me with a mock interview for when I was looking at the RA position at UNC! It was very helpful. Other people at NJC that were helpful were my counselor (I still email her and tell her how I am doing occasionally) and the career coach. The career coach at NJC recently wrote me a letter of recommendation for my graduate school application. Having these resources don't just exist while your a student, they last even after you leave school!

At UNC, my supervisors this year are wonderful. On Student Senate, I have so much support. One night that we had a meeting, I had a rough day and they told me to go home and recuperate because mental health is just as important as physical well-being. With the GOAL program, if any peer mentor needs to step away due to personal circumstances, they can. I think those are all very important things to have in place so students can be students and people first!

So that's my spill on campus resources and how they are useful to anyone in college! Please feel free to leave comments in the comment section! I am always happy to receive input and support!

I hope you all had some happy holiday celebrations!

Caitlin.

What Comes with the Holidays?

Hi everyone!

Holidays (no matter which ones) are always stressful. Everyone reacts or does things differently. Everyone has different ways of celebrating or what traditions they have. 

Every holiday is different for me. When the Fourth of July comes, I usually stay in as I don't like all the fireworks and loud noises that accompany that day! Christmas is probably one of my most favorite holidays because on the day itself or on Christmas Eve, it is more relaxed! 

Every year, my family celebrates on Christmas Eve as it is tradition. We have dinner and dessert, hang out, and then open presents. It is great to just spend time with family!

This year, I finally was able to buy Christmas presents for some of my friends and family without any help. It was pretty cool! I saved the money from my jobs at school and bought Christmas presents for everyone. 

I know today's post is short and sweet, but I just wanted to wish everyone a happy holidays and hope everyone is able to celebrate with their families! 

Post your favorite holiday traditions in the comments section (It can be for any holiday)! Again, happy holidays!

Caitlin

My On-Campus Jobs (College Life Series #1)

 Hi everyone!

For today's post and some other future posts, I am going to be talking about my different experiences and involvement in college. 

I have attended two different colleges and held on-campus jobs at both. During my time at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, I was a work-study for housing and student life. I helped create posters and hang them up across campus. It was a very basic job but it got me some experience and I enjoyed it!

At the University of Northern Colorado, I have held various on campus jobs. Last year, I was a resident assistant. This job was fun, but also very taxing and I had a hard time adjusting to my working environment. I learned how to deal with situations that were very frustrating. I really learned what it was like being in a difficult work environment. Most of the other RA's were friendly, but there was a select few that just made the job really hard to do. My supervisor (who is no longer at UNC) was very difficult to work with and was never willing to accommodate my needs. These were some of the various reasons that I am no longer an RA. 

This year I have two on campus jobs: being a member of UNC Student Senate and a GOAL peer mentor!

I ran for student senate last semester and got voted in as a senator for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for this school year! With this job, I have office hours to meet with other students, university administration, and other members of Student Senate. I get to have a voice for the student body and I think that is really cool!

Last of all, starting last year, I had a professor who recommended me to the Go on and Learn (GOAL) program at UNC to become a peer mentor. It is a program that assists students with intellectual and developmental disabilities that want an opportunity to attend UNC but that cannot always have a full course load. There are many students in the program. What is unique about this program is that it also has students that are not directly in the program, but are involved as peer mentors. In January of this year, I was hired on as a peer mentor.

My position as a peer mentor is very unique as I am also a student with a disability (I receive services from the campus' Disability Resource Center) and I am helping other students with disabilities. I help mostly with academics (mentors can pick for academic, social, or vocational support). The thing I like most about my job is that I can connect with the students I work with in a different way than most of the other mentors can. I understand some of the students struggles with their disability because I have had those struggles myself.

I am not just a mentor and the students I work with are not just students, we are friends. Shannon is one of the GOAL students I work with and we connected pretty instantly when we met. I help Shannon with class assignments when she needs it and we also hang out outside of school. We have gone to basketball and football games, gone to get coffee or tea, and we have even done FaceTime over this winter break! It is really rewarding to see Shannon and all the other GOAL students accomplish their goals knowing that peer mentors helped them get there! 

On-campus jobs are very useful as they are fun and I can work and get paid without having to go very far. The added bonus is how much I love my on-campus positions! 

On the next post in my college life series, I am going to talk about academic supports I have used throughout my time in college and how those supports have benefitted me!

Until next time,

Caitlin.

Overwhelming Social Situations and Overcoming Them

 Today I am gonna be talking about peer pressure and social situations as someone with an invisible disability. People with invisible disabilities are often in a unique spot when it comes to social situations. If you are like me, you cannot totally get through to your typical peers at times, but you cannot always understand your other friends with disabilities either, making it harder to know where your place is in the world. 

Growing up, and even now, it has always been hard for me to communicate to my more "typical" peers. Some have seen me as too "anti-social" or "shy" and others get to know me and understand how to work with my differences. Nowadays, I notice peer pressure occurring more than I ever did. The first time I drank in college was from peer pressure and not wanting to be different in that moment. I have been to a few parties and most everyone there wanted to get drunk. I was never okay with that and I got made fun of for it. My peers who understand me know I am not a huge partier or drinker (I'll have one every once in a while) and they are accepting of that. 

I understand the concept of "getting loose" and I am getting better at knowing what that is for myself, especially seeing as I am a senior in college. It means that I can have fun if I want to but I have to know my limits and boundaries in certain situations. If it is a party or gathering and there are too many people, I often will get overwhelmed and need to leave. If I am out having drinks with friends, I always make sure to drink water and know the amount that I need to stop at. I tend to enjoy more low-key settings (a small bar or restaurant). 

When it comes to communicating and hanging out with my peers that also have a disability, that can be a hard social situation as well. If I or one of my friends doesn't understand something, it can make it hard to have a conversation. The situation can then become overwhelming for both people involved. 

One thing I have learned from social situations is to always set boundaries and know what I am comfortable with. 

What are some social situations that have made you feel a bit awkward? Post comments in the comments section. 

I am wanting to gather ideas for future blog posts, so if you or anyone has any ideas, feel free to post those ideas in the comments as well!