Our guest chat host tonight on October 8, 2001, is Dr. Brett Kemker. Dr. Kemker, an assistant professor at Florida State University teaches the undergraduate audiology and aural rehabilitation courses and is interested in hearing aid rejection in adults; the effects of auditory stimulation on cognition, specifically auditory attention; Adult audiologic rehabilitation; Innovative teaching methodologies, and student advising/counseling. He is the undergraduate student advisor and has actively helped students plan for graduate school and also advised graduate students managing stressful course loads and requirements. Dr. Kemker has published and presented in the areas of innovative teaching methods to facilitate critical thinking, and conducted workshops on time/stress management for graduate and undergraduate students. He is on the Florida State University's Council of Informed Advisors and an appointed undergraduate student advisor for the Dept. of Comm. Dis. At the Florida State University. He will lead us in a chat about about time/stress management for graduate and undergraduate students. <Robin> Welcome! We will be chatting tonight with Dr. Brett Kemker about time/stress management for undergrad and grad students <Robin> Hi Jenny....glad you could chat with us! <Adrienne> Jenny, I'm a grad student, what year are you? <Dr. Kemker> hello Robin <Jenny-C> I'm a first year grad student but i've never chatted before so bear with me <Robin> LOL Jenny, after one chat you will be an expert! <Jenny-C> I'm from Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) <Adrienne> How do you like that so far? <Jenny-C> I love the science, but the stress load has gotten to me <Robin> do you find it to be much more difficult than undergrad? <Jenny-C> we've only been in since may...yikes ;) <Adrienne> I'm assuming your classes are more medically based? or not? <Jenny-C> yes, they are medically based <Jenny-C> and my undergrad was a little easier <Adrienne> where was that? <Jenny-C> but I was triple majoring so I hadn't really gotten to the hard stuff when I left <Adrienne> holy smokes <Jenny-C> I was at Flagler in St. Augustine doing Deaf Education, English and Secondary Education <Adrienne> and you decided to go with speech path? <Jenny-C> it's a mix of English and Science my two favorite things...what more could I ask for ;) <Adrienne> sounds like a bonus for you Jenny <Robin> welcome Amy and 4528, we are going to be starting our chat with Dr. Kemker about time/stress management <Robin> Dr. Kemker has published and presented in the areas of innovative teaching methods to facilitate critical thinking, and conducted workshops on time/stress management for graduate students <Anonymous4528> I need some advice for goals with Asperger's children. <Robin> 4528, we will be having a chat on Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders on Dec. 10th <Adrienne> Amy and 4528, what year are you? <Amy G.> I'm a Sr. at San Jose State University <Adrienne> Are you planning to go to grad school Amy? <Amy G.> Yes, I'll continue at SJSU <Robin> Dr. Kemker, why don't you jump in and give some suggestions to Jenny about how to reduce the stresses of grad school <Jenny-C> yeah - that's a great idea !!! <Anonymous4528> I am a graduate from SJSU, and I recall the stresses! <Amy G.> Does it seem to get less stressful in grad school, or more so? <Adrienne> I don't know about you all, but lots of deadlines are causing stress for me <Jenny-C> I think it depends on the program and the setup <Adrienne> I have found it to be a different kind of stress... <Dr. Kemker> Well, Jenny, first you must identify what it is about graduate school that stresses you. "Identify what is stressing you" <Jenny-C> right now or over all? <Jenny-C> short term stress or long term ;) Dr. Kemker> Good point. Let's look at both. First long term stressors. <Anonymous4528> Can I contribute to the conversation, since I too have been through the program. I graduated with my MA in 1990. <Jenny-C> please do ! <Adrienne> What is a long term stressor? The reason I am stressed is because everything has to be done NOW, in the very short term <Anonymous4528> Wow! I stressed a lot, especially in the end of the Bachelor's program, and at the beginning of the Masters program, but I had a good friend in the program who rode the waves out with me! <Anonymous4528> We studied together for finals and got through a lot on chocolate and strong coffee. <Anonymous4528> But, ladies, (and gentlemen) it was ALL worth it! <Jenny-C> I guess being first year I struggle in the back of my mind with being a successful clinician <Amy G.> I agree. Almost everything I stress out about is short term. The long term stuff just seems to fall into place. <Adrienne> It's interesting how some of my classmates provided great support, while some were a source of stress themselves <Robin> Dr. Kemker, what are some good strategies for coping with the stress of grad school? <Adrienne> yeah, questioning your effectiveness as a new clinician... how can we deal with that? <Dr. Kemker> this is a common long term stress of 1st year grads. <Anonymous4528> I think one of the complicating factors with grad school is your equally demanding internships! <Adrienne> Dr. K, how do you suggest we get over our feeling of incompetence? <Anonymous4528> For me, the hospital internship was far more stressful than the school site, BUT I liked doing both of them! <Dr. Kemker> Believe it or not this type of concern is a good sign and indicates to me that you will be very successful in grad school and as a clinician <Anonymous4528> Dr. Kemker, I TOTALLY agree! <Anonymous4528> Caring is an integral part of being a great clinician! <Anonymous4528> Gang, it breaks down into some basic principals that are often overlooked in higher education! <Dr. Kemker> Will I be a good clinician? indicates that you are exercising your critical thinking abilities <Adrienne> I almost want my supervisor to just tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can have something specific to work on <Anonymous4528> Principals like: Caring, Wanting to communicate effectively, longing to improve the life of another! <Amy G.> How do you know if you are a good clinician? <Anonymous4528> Oh, Amy...look into the face of your client! <Adrienne> but does desire to be a good clinician make you one if you don't feel like you have all the tools to be one? <Anonymous4528> The tools will come, I promise! You'll be surprised how much knowledge you will acquire! <Adrienne> the face of my client is looking at me like I'm the only person that can help him!! Stressful!! <Dr. Kemker> Adrienne. you point to a very important subject. <Adrienne> stress? <Amy G.> I think we end up putting more stress on ourselves because we want to be GREAT at what we do. <Dr. Kemker> a problem that students have is making the jump from student to professional. <Anonymous4528> I like to begin my sessions with clients of ALL AGES by inquiring about their lives...what they feel they're good at and what they enjoy to do in their free time. <Anonymous4528> Being interested in the PERSON is the first step to a good clinical relationship! <Adrienne> Explain more about the jump from student to professional, please. <Amy G.> I agree, we always need to remember that we are working with people, not a disorder. <Anonymous352> I am also having a little trouble thinking of myself as a professional while I am still a student <Dr. Kemker> First...you have to believe it. YOU are a professional training in collaboration. that is what graduate school is. <Anonymous4528> 352: It will be here before you know it! It does not seem that long ago that I was a student too! It has been almost 11 years now! <Anonymous4528> 352: The other thing is that the client, and parents (if applicable) will see you as the professional...whether you do or not! :) <Adrienne> but 4528, did you ever just have a moment when you realize, "hey, I guess I do know what I'm doing" <Anonymous4528> YES, Adrienne! I did and I do! It is an awesome feeling! <Anonymous4528> My internships were so incredibly valuable to me...as they will be to all of you! <Anonymous4528> It will be the place where you climb the high dive and feel a physical readiness to jump into the pool of professionalism! <Adrienne> Dr. K- how can we maximize the training we're getting in grad school? <Adrienne> I am hanging in there with one client, the internship is still a little scary <Dr. Kemker> the realization that the most important question is the one that you first identified. How can I better serve the client? <Anonymous352> Adrienne I think that you should just keep your eyes open try to take it all in <Anonymous352> it will all come together sooner or later - I'd like to believe so <Adrienne> me too! <Amy G.> How's the paperwork? I only have one client and I'm already overwhelmed. <Dr. Kemker> Also, realize that you are collaborating with your supervisor. <Adrienne> it's sort of like a puzzle... I know all the pieces are here somewhere, I'd just like to see it all together! <Tami> Amy G. The paperwork will get easier as you fine tune your skills! Hospitals and schools are not interested in the kind of reports we wrote in grad school. Docs want short simple commentaries, <Tami> and parents want user friendly info! <Jenny-C> as a clinician, do you find yourself always taking work home in the evening or weekend? <Adrienne> I don't know about you all, but I have 2 lousy credit hours for 3 hours of treatment and gadzooks of planning and report writing <Amy G.> Yeah, I get 3 units for about 20 hours a week of work/planning. <Dr. Kemker> I would suggest asking your supervisors what a reasonable amount of time is to accomplish these reports and then work with your supervisor and second years to make that happen. <Dr. Kemker> second year grad students are an untapped wealth of info. Ask them how long they spend on reports...you will be shocked... <Adrienne> I know it's less for me now than one month ago <Tami> I have a few pearls of wisdom that I hope will encourage you grads... <Tami> First of all, you are in a wonderful field! <Tami> We can work in the schools, private practice, hospitals, nursing homes, non public schools, public schools.... <Dana W> as a second year grad student I have to say that the paperwork doesn't take as long now as it once did <Adrienne> is that just because of experience? <Tami> Dana W: That is a very good point! <Dr. Kemker> thanks for the witness Dana W!! <Dana W> you just start to develop a style of your own and you know what needs to be stated and where <Tami> Adrienne, in the beginning it feels like all you do is write, write and write...but don't feel any more equipt to be a clinician! <Adrienne> yeah, <Tami> Your observations will become invaluable to you, and the tests will help supply the data you need to be specific! <Adrienne> more specifically- any more equipt to provide the actual treatment part. <Tami> I believe that a person can be called to a field of expertise like this, and find great strength in their ability to observe! <Tami> The trick to decreasing the stressors is to find the joy in what you do! I know I'm simplifying, but it's very true! <Tami> I enjoyed most of my clients if not all over the years. <Tami> I learned to enjoy the accomplishment of saying what I wanted to get across in IEP's and family conferences... <Dr. Kemker> yes Tami I agree. Another way of putting that is that you can't be happy doing what you're doing if you don't believe in what you're doing. Keep focus on what brought you to the profession <Dr. Kemker> Does that help you Adrienne? <Amy G.> Well, thanks for the great info. It helped me relieve stress to know I'm not the only stress-case out there. <Tami> Dr. Kemker, I would also say to grad students, that you almost always must put in extra hours to be good at something... <Robin> very true.... <Tami> It is reasonable to set priorities, however, so you have the energy to work! <Adrienne> yes, the moments of inspiration help a lot <Dr. Kemker> time is really relative. How many times have we stayed up all night to talk with friends or finish a good book. <Tami> lol <Adrienne> lol <Tami> Speech Language Pathologists love to talk! <Dana W> lol <Adrienne> speaking of priorities... <Dana W> I think its a prerequisite <Adrienne> I don't know if anyone else has experienced this... but sometimes I feel like my priorities are set by the deadlines <Adrienne> like when I want to do something else, I can't enjoy it b/c the report is hanging over my head <Tami> I've worked in every setting over the years, and just worked back up to full time...I have two children (4 and 8 year old). <Dr. Kemker> we must re-define ourselves daily. Accomplishing short term goals will not end with graduate school.... <Adrienne> we're talking about managing stress <Jenny-C> I tried this weekend to relax because I had three tests the week before and I felt guilty <Tami> I found that the variety of settings has broadened my perspective on disorders so that I have a "bigger picture" with regard to how to improve communication and cognition! <Anonymous82> funny that the subject is time/stress management seeing as how I should be reading and doing my audiology homework as we speak <Adrienne> I know 82!! <Jenny-C> that's ok, I should be reading lang. development <Jenny-C> if it makes you feel any better ;) <Robin> 82, do you have any questions for Dr. Kemker? <Anonymous82> as interesting as this seems, I just wanted to stop in and check this out....but I do need to go <Anonymous82> everyone enjoy themselves and happy studies :) <Robin> thanks for stopping by 82 <Adrienne> thanks 82 <Adrienne> is it possible to have too many short term goals... like I'll need a long-term to complete them? <Dr. Kemker> It is just as important to socialize, relax, exercise etc. as it is to study. it's a healthy balance. <Jenny-C> that's my problem, I have lost the balance <Adrienne> it's hard, though, when the consequences of not exercising one day are much less than the consequences of not studying one day <Tami> I am really excited for all of you to get out into the field and see how much you really DO KNOW! You see, in grad school, you are so immersed in LEARNING that you don't realize how much you've LEARNED! <Jenny-C> amen to that ! <Adrienne> I can see that <Dr. Kemker> this is tested to the hilt in graduate school. You are consumed by the university, it's easy to loose your identity <Adrienne> I guess you just have to resign to finding a balance so you don't loose your identity (or your mind) in the long run <Dr. Kemker> schedule walks or lunch at appropriate times of the day. Work with the program. <Dr. Kemker> I still do this... <Robin> I did that in grad school....met a friend daily during the week for a long run <Dr. Kemker> I find that taking 15 minutes here and there actually allows me to get more done during the day. <Adrienne> Daily?!!! <Tami> Dr. Kemker, I totally agree with you! A short walk clears the mind! <Dr. Kemker> yes daily! <Dr. Kemker> We are physical as well as mental beings. <Tami> And I would use that walk to look around and listen...and work hard at not working hard :) <Dr. Kemker> that's it Tami. You know. The lines between work and play become non-existent. You just simply have your day...with a variety of activities planned. <Robin> Taking a break is important....you will be more focussed when you get back to your work <Adrienne> I feel like I don't have the liberty of planning those activities of my day <Tami> Adrienne, do it now before you have the demands of a family and husband...and pets, or whatever! <Tami> Adrienne, trust me on this one! At home, you will be the popular one in your house! Everyone wants a mother's time! (Sorry, Doc). <Adrienne> thanks for the encouragement, I will try to get outside 15 mintues at least every other day this week <Tami> My four year old is language delayed and I feel like I need help with him! <Tami> However, someone else's child or loved one is much easier! <Adrienne> that's interesting Tami <Dana W> Tami I am interested in how you are dealing with your situation <Tami> Dana, it is difficult when it is your own child or parent who suffers from a familiar disorder or injury. <Tami> Perhaps denial. <Dana W> do you try to do the best you can on your own or do you consult with others for advice? <Tami> Dana, my daughter, who is 8, has mild CP and ADD....which I held off on with aggressive treatment for years. <Tami> You want to hear something funny...well, it's not really, but... <Tami> I found, as I struggled to get my own children's needs met through the healthcare system and schools... <Tami> I COULDN'T believe what some folks in healthcare and the schools DIDN'T KNOW! <Robin> we could have a whole chat devoted to that Tami <Tami> So, in a way ladies, you are educated in such a way that you will spot a scam or a moron right away! :) <Dana W> lol <Robin> well folks, it is getting late...any more questions for Dr. Kemker? <Robin> Dr. Kemker, any last thoughts or suggestions? <Dana W> no but I must say that this was pretty interesting <Jenny-C> well, goodnight ladies and gentleman - thanks for the advice! <Dr. Kemker> It has been a priviledge and an honor. Thank you. <Robin> Thank you for joining us tonight, Dr. Kemker <Tami> Thank you Dr. Kemker! <Dana W> thanks, bye everyone :) <Tami> Adrienne...:) <Robin> thank you to all of our participants! We will be chatting about Bilingual/Bicultural Issues in Speech Pathology next week <Dr. Kemker> thank you for having me Robin. <Tami> It was just great to be a part of this discussion! Thanks speechies! :) |
