Over the past four months, I have been making my way through a theory class. For me, this is probably going to be one of the most challenging things I do in my program here at VSU. It isn't that the material is too challenging, it's that I can't see the application first hand. I don't interact with students on a daily basis that are grappling with issues of sexual identity or racial identity. Because of this, I find the material confusing. I am used to putting what I learn into practice or even come up with examples of my own. I can relate some of the identity development back to my college days, but beyond that, nothing seems to fit with my experiences. It is because of this I find theory challenging.
Looking forward though, I'm excited to use what I've learned in the class. I am fortunate enough that I am able to go to different conferences with students where there are sessions on using theory in advising student organizations and working on an individual basis with students. I will continue to use what I have learned in this class, along with the lovely Evans, et. al. text with margins lined with notes and little drawings to continue to work with theory.
While theory has challenged me, It also taught me a lot about my studying habits. I used to be a person that I would be fine if I went to class, read the book and took notes. I was used to having a class structure that would benefit itself to much more outside discussion than what I found in the theory class. With this class and not having the same amount of critical discussions, I have learned that I need to be more active in my studying techniques. Simply writing and rewriting notes or reading over the text doesn't work for me like it used to. I can regurgitate Chickering's Seven Vectors or talk about the stages in Park's theory, but I don't know if I can apply it successfully, because I haven't spent as much time as necessary thinking critically about the material presented. As I approach my second year of grad school, I'm still working to figure out what works best for me in terms of studying and learning information.
Looking forward though, I'm excited to use what I've learned in the class. I am fortunate enough that I am able to go to different conferences with students where there are sessions on using theory in advising student organizations and working on an individual basis with students. I will continue to use what I have learned in this class, along with the lovely Evans, et. al. text with margins lined with notes and little drawings to continue to work with theory.
While theory has challenged me, It also taught me a lot about my studying habits. I used to be a person that I would be fine if I went to class, read the book and took notes. I was used to having a class structure that would benefit itself to much more outside discussion than what I found in the theory class. With this class and not having the same amount of critical discussions, I have learned that I need to be more active in my studying techniques. Simply writing and rewriting notes or reading over the text doesn't work for me like it used to. I can regurgitate Chickering's Seven Vectors or talk about the stages in Park's theory, but I don't know if I can apply it successfully, because I haven't spent as much time as necessary thinking critically about the material presented. As I approach my second year of grad school, I'm still working to figure out what works best for me in terms of studying and learning information.
