One of the components of the College Student Personnel program I really appreciated throughout my graduate experience is CSP 6890: Supervised Field Experience in College Student Personnel. The monthly reflections we were required to write before each class meeting prompted me to reflect on the personal and professional issues I was facing. In our monthly meetings, we were encouraged to discuss personal and professional concerns and accomplishments and how our experiences have impacted us as individuals. Many of our conversations focused on the incongruences between our personal values and our professional experiences at BGSU, and how to reconcile those differences while still remaining authentic. My section of the course always met off campus, and this allowed a mental and physical break from being on campus. This was especially important for those of us that worked and lived on campus. Through the reflections, class discussions, and individual meetings with my advisor, I was able to “analyze personal experiences for potential deeper learning and growth, and engage with others in reflective discussion” (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 25). Although my 6890 section does not meet this semester, I have continued to engage in reflective conversation about my personal and professional life. This year, I have utilized my roommates to challenge me to think about things from different perspectives, and continue to strive for congruency in my personal and professional life.
Wellness has been a huge focus of mine since beginning the College Student Personnel program in Fall 2013. When entering graduate school, I made it a goal to run my first 5K, and exercise at least four times a week. I recognized that in college I made a lot of excuses for myself—I was involved in too many things to make time for the gym, campus dining was convenient even if it was not healthy, and the list goes on. I also reflected on my “busy sickness”. I felt that if I was not stressed out with course work or overcommitted to too many organizations I was not taking full advantage of my college experience. In many ways, I was I was committed to being healthier and I saw graduate school as a fresh start. This reflection at the beginning of my graduate journey allowed me to “identify and employ resources to improve one’s own wellness” (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 24). As I continued to developed my health and wellness goals, I was able to “recognize needs and opportunities for continued growth” (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 24). While I was working hard at achieving my goals and having major successes, I only focused on the ways I was not improving. After some reflection, I was able to “identify positive and negative effects on psychological wellness and, as appropriate, seek assistance from available resources” (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 24). I utilized my partner, and friends in the program who were on the wellness journey to work on creating a healthy attitude toward eating, exercising, and stress management.