Dear TIPSters, When I was asked to do a Psi Chi address at my alma mater, I focused less on the lofty or the academic or re-hashing why research was important... I figured that I would be "preaching to the choir". I mean, the Psi Chi students are our pride and joy, hopefully... and they probably have lots of appreciation for the field and a fair number of accomplishments already. I focused instead upon some of the fears and anxieties which I had experienced as I was a Psi Chi member getting ready for graduate school and life in the "real world". I shared three of my most influential experiences with the theme of "facing my anxieties head on and 'diving into the deep end'", and how those experiences were the most life-changing and growth promoting. For example, after I graduated I worked for a year as a research assistant in physiological psychology. On the first day, I was so anxious and intimidated that I almost called the guy and said I had taken another position. I didn't and it became one of the most important experiences of my life. The students absolutely LOVED my talk (if I do say so myself) and I got lots of positive comments from the faculty as well. I think it's important to the students to know that EVERYONE has anxieties and that "they'll be fine". Okay, enough if that... time to grade papers. Cheers, -- |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Steven M. Specht, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology Psychology Department Utica College of Syracuse University 1600 Burrstone Rd. Utica, NY 13502 (315) 792-3171 "To teach is to learn twice". - Joseph Joubert (1754-1824)
