Have you ever had a feeling where you felt like you had no idea what you were doing but at the same time felt like you knew exactly what you were doing? That was me leading up to the first couple weeks before starting at Parker University. I have never been so excited in my life to do something but also internally scared. Of course, those voices were telling me that I was not good enough or that I am not crazy but I knew deep down I wanted to do this.
Having all this anxiety going into Chiropractic school I knew I was not alone. I hope to share my experience while going through school in hopes to inspire or at the very least bring a big smile to your face. I hope to share with you everything I learn in and outside the classroom. So here is to 3 and ½ years of learning about the body!
I just finished up the first two weeks at Parker University as a Tri 1. It was a lot less chaotic than I was excepting. I excepted to jump into class needing to know the ins and outs of each vodcast posted (pre-recorded lectures) but to my surprise, we did what most college professors do and talked about the syllabus. The teachers did go through some lecture slides but nothing too overwhelming. It was like they knew we were those tiny little freshmen going into high school fearing for our lives and did not want to scare us away. The only thing is, Parker is NOTHING like high school. The teachers and staff are all filled with so much joy and excitement for the human body. It almost seems like a nerdy cult. I know people say your college is like your family but Parker truly feels like a family. I have only been here two weeks and I already feel so welcomed and supported. Not only are the teachers amazing but the students are too. Everyone smiles, says hi to each other, and holds the door open. These might seem like small things but I feel like humanity has lost this along the way and I have missed it. Parker truly feels at home.
Now I am not always on campus but when I am I try and meet as many people as I can. I have not ventured out to other Tri’s as much right now but the people within my Tri that I have meet are great. I actually came home one day smiling so hard because I finally felt like I was around people who were as curious and interested in the world as I am. If you were the kid who constantly got in trouble for asking why, why, why, Parker is just the place for you.
I am going to be honest, having the online school option is nice for creating my own schedule and getting things done fast but it will never compare to in-person learning. I pride myself on being someone who can commit to a schedule and get things done but I believe school is so much more than just learning. It’s also about bonding, creating experiences, and learning different people’s points of view. It’s hard to do that through a screen and that's why in-person learning will never compare. I did online learning for so long that I almost forgot why I loved learning in the first place. I found myself solely focusing on my grades which made me even more stressed than I was before. If you have the option to go in-person to Parker I highly recommend it
I know it is just the first two weeks of school but I just know I am where I am supposed to be. I can’t wait to share my story, in hopes to help someone someday. If you have any questions regarding Parker, my school experience, or health and fitness related I would love to help.
For now here are a few tips I have for your first two weeks at Parker:
1. Read and print out all your syllabuses and course calendars
Reading your syllabuses and course calendars before classes starts will help you plan and get ready for the Trimester. I like reading over all the syllabuses and putting the important information into my Google calendar so that I feel more prepared for the upcoming school year. Think of your teacher's syllabus as a cheat sheet for the class. It is basically telling you what you really need to care about and what is not so important to stress about.
2. When you get your schedule start using a planner or Google Calandra
I was never much of a planner in middle school, high school, and even some of college. I did not want to keep writing down everything I had to do. I also never looked back at it because I was the person who just wanted to get everything done that day. BUT at Parker, you can not do that and I do not recommend doing that in any situation anyways....Google Calendar has changed my life! I highly recommend it. It is super easy and manageable. Make sure you make multiple calendars so you can hide events you do or do not want to see. I promise that planning will decrease your overwhelm so that you will finally have a grasp on what your life is/will look like. Once you make a plan it's easier to take action. But also keep in mind that your schedule can always change. It does not have to be perfect the first time 😉
3. When you can start making a weekly calendar for assignments and quizzes
Another game-changer! Google Calendars and other planners are great to see your weekly/monthly view but what about your day-to-day tasks. You will have a lot of assignments. It
can be hard to keep track of. If you make a Google or Microsoft spreadsheet that lists out all your classes with your to-do you will feel set and ready to go. I like using the highlighter to check things off but you can also delete them as you go. I like this because I can see all my tasks with due dates. I use it as a foundation for my Google Calendar and to make sure I am on track with my assignments.
4. Go up and say "Hi" to people...especially upper Tri's
This one might sound odd but like I said in the beginning, school is not just about grades! You will be meeting some of your future colleagues but most importantly some of your closest friends. I know it can be hard sometime to think of something to say but I promise just saying "
Hi my name is...what is your name" with a nice handshake will go a long way. Everyone is just as nervous as you so why don't you just be the first one to break the ice. Plus who knows, you might have just found your new study buddy!
5. Don't forget to breath
Transitions can seem overwhelming. You are getting a lot of information all at once. You might be thinking I don't know if I can do this. What was I thinking? Am I smart enough? How will I get this all done? etc, etc.
The fact is you got this in the bag! You would not have been brought here if you weren't meant to be here. There is a reason and you will figure it out. You may have some bumps in the road but that does not mean you can not do it. Just take it one week at a time, one day at a time, one class at a time
and soon you will be walking across the stage with your diploma and not even realize how fast everything went by.
It may seem overwhelming right now but if you start implementing some of these tips you will be set up for success!
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