The Beginning of the End

Lynae N.

April 12, 2010 - 6:14 PM

This term is already kicking my butt. I know I am at the beginning of the end for my program and I am pouring every free moment into finishing up my practicum hours and finishing my formal case presentation (FCP), the equivalent for a master's thesis for my program. Deadlines are growing shorter by the second and I feel like I am staring down the throat of the beast.

I imagine I am feeling much like the prince in sleeping beauty. The sweetness of happily ever after is sleeping soundly only a kiss away. All I have to do is get to the castle, and get the prize, right? Well I took off rushing on this journey that has been graduate school, leaving my friends, family, and my life behind in a seeming sleep state as I raced on ahead. Now I can see the castle. Pulling out my sword, I am using all of my strength and might to keep courage and face the dragon (FCP) head on. Unfortunately, like the prince, I can anticipate obstacles to be thrown in my way and I am cautious not get scratched by the thorns or burned by the flames that come in the form of mismanaged time commitments, failure to plan ahead, and even procrastination disguised as much needed rest. Luckily, I have seen the movie and I know that the prince wins, overcoming the obstacles, slaying the dragon, and kisses his happily ever after. I know I will too.

All things considered, I am continuing to make good progress on what I need to do. I have just about finished gathering academic sources for my FCP and have about 50 pages done with another 50 or so to go. I am hoping to have everything completed and checked over by May 3rd, leaving me one week to prepare video clips of therapy sessions I've done and an oral case presentation for the final big task standing between me and a hard earned piece of paper that I will have expensively matted and framed to hang on my wall and collect dust.

On a lighter note, I finally got a large exercise ball that I can sit on while I type away on my FCP along with my many other papers this term. The thought of spending all of those hours sitting down in a chair typing, only to go to class and sit, then do therapy and sit some more, sounds painful and depressing. At least sitting on this ball I have better posture and can sit in a way that requires my legs and core muscles to compensate for my lack of balance and not feel completely lethargic. It's the small things like deciding to sit on a giant ball (like I am right now) and being intentional about going for a run in the rain breaks that make all the difference for me right now.