For an insight to Athletic Training and information regarding the profession (from us, the young professionals, point of view), please visit:
www.aataypc.blogspot.com
If you want to read what the old professionals have to say, visit:
www.nata.org
www.swata.com
I will be blogging on the aataypc blog as well.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Taste of Failure
Throughout my time at UCA, I never dropped or failed a class. Never ever. The thought just simply didn't ever cross my mind. However, about November, I got a brilliant idea that I would take Trigonometry as a college course to better my math skills so that I could take more advanced science classes. When I say brilliant, that is very very sarcastic. To say the least, I was taking this class online and simply could not do it. Alex, my genius fiance, couldn't do it either, which just solidified the fact that I was going to FAIL. So I decide to drop the class Saturday. The last day to drop the class and get your money back was Friday. Yep, a day late and about $300 short. Oh well, you live and you learn I guess. What did I learn? Don't be an idiot and think you can take College Trigonometry online; or Don't pay for your class in full before you know that you can do it or not? Ha. Anyways, I failed at my mission of getting better at math. It sucks. I did get a little better, just not as much as I would have liked.
I have been spending a lot of time thinking lately. I've got time for that while I set at one practice or the other. Sometimes I feel like I not only failed at that math class, but that I failed myself a little. Should I have gone to grad school right after graduation? Should I be in some other state, scraping change, and pursuing my masters? What would I want to do? What could I do? What am I smart enough for? I want to go back to school, but why? How? When? For what? Four out of nine of my classmates hold a GA position and are pursuing masters. I'm the only one employed as an athletic trainer. The others all hold down jobs outside of the athletic training field. Did I fail myself by not leaving? Did my stubbornness ruin my chances of ever advancing out of the high school realm of athletic training? Day in and out these thoughts are running through my head, ceaselessly seeking answers that I can not find. Often I find myself distracted by these thoughts. The fact that I can't find the answers right now stresses me even more. I need a guidance counselor for life. But I guess it is all a part of growing up, of becoming a better person and woman. To question yourself, to ask if you are doing all that you can do for yourself and for your family. I strive to be the best person, friend, co-worker, and fiance that I can be everyday. I hope it is good enough for now. I know that it will get better!
I have been spending a lot of time thinking lately. I've got time for that while I set at one practice or the other. Sometimes I feel like I not only failed at that math class, but that I failed myself a little. Should I have gone to grad school right after graduation? Should I be in some other state, scraping change, and pursuing my masters? What would I want to do? What could I do? What am I smart enough for? I want to go back to school, but why? How? When? For what? Four out of nine of my classmates hold a GA position and are pursuing masters. I'm the only one employed as an athletic trainer. The others all hold down jobs outside of the athletic training field. Did I fail myself by not leaving? Did my stubbornness ruin my chances of ever advancing out of the high school realm of athletic training? Day in and out these thoughts are running through my head, ceaselessly seeking answers that I can not find. Often I find myself distracted by these thoughts. The fact that I can't find the answers right now stresses me even more. I need a guidance counselor for life. But I guess it is all a part of growing up, of becoming a better person and woman. To question yourself, to ask if you are doing all that you can do for yourself and for your family. I strive to be the best person, friend, co-worker, and fiance that I can be everyday. I hope it is good enough for now. I know that it will get better!
Friday, January 21, 2011
A Simple Introduction.
I guess I will tell you about what I do to live, and then I can tell you about what I live to do! As a precursor to my career, I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of Central Arkansas in May of 2010. I became a Certified Athletic Trainer in June of 2010. Currently, I am the Junior High Athletic Trainer at Batesville High School. I am employed by the local hospital in Batesville, but spend 99% of my time at the school. Day to day, I go to practices and games to ensure everyone is injury free. Athletic training is not a 9-5 job, meaning that some days I work for 7 hours and some days I work for 13 hours. Sometimes I feel like more of an ice and band-aid dispensary, but I try my hardest to ensure every athlete gets proper and prompt treatment. My job setting is definitely a change to where I was previously, but it is definitely an enjoyable and rewarding career.
As for the living part, I live in Searcy, Arkansas. There is not much to do in Searcy, with the exception of eat, shop, and go to church. Normally these things would be okay, but Searcy is an hour from everywhere I want to be. My family lives and hour and a half away in Atkins, my fiance Alex lives an hour away in Conway, my nephew Jonas and the rest of Alex's family live in Little Rock/Benton, and I work in Batesville....exactly an hour from everywhere. However, I won't complain because I do have a pretty rockin' apartment. It's new, quiet, and affordable. I must say though, living in Searcy has been a challenge, mostly on my emotions and my bank account. I drive about 100 miles a day, so I've decided to just not even look at gas prices anymore. I guess what I don't know won't hurt me.
As far as fun and extra-curricular activities are concerned, I love to read. Alex bought me a Kindle for Christmas and I love it! I've started trying to sketch some, mostly graphite and charcoal. I love going to drift events with Alex! They are one of my favorite things because I get to take a road trip, I get to be around cars all day, I get to spend good quality time with Alex, and I love seeing Alex so happy at these events! I am also a member of the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association (AATA) Young Professional Committee. So this is what I do to live and what I live to do....I try not to go into the day with the "Another day, Another dollar" attitude, I try to go into the day with the "Carpe Diem" attitude.
www.nata.org
www.swata.org
As for the living part, I live in Searcy, Arkansas. There is not much to do in Searcy, with the exception of eat, shop, and go to church. Normally these things would be okay, but Searcy is an hour from everywhere I want to be. My family lives and hour and a half away in Atkins, my fiance Alex lives an hour away in Conway, my nephew Jonas and the rest of Alex's family live in Little Rock/Benton, and I work in Batesville....exactly an hour from everywhere. However, I won't complain because I do have a pretty rockin' apartment. It's new, quiet, and affordable. I must say though, living in Searcy has been a challenge, mostly on my emotions and my bank account. I drive about 100 miles a day, so I've decided to just not even look at gas prices anymore. I guess what I don't know won't hurt me.
As far as fun and extra-curricular activities are concerned, I love to read. Alex bought me a Kindle for Christmas and I love it! I've started trying to sketch some, mostly graphite and charcoal. I love going to drift events with Alex! They are one of my favorite things because I get to take a road trip, I get to be around cars all day, I get to spend good quality time with Alex, and I love seeing Alex so happy at these events! I am also a member of the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association (AATA) Young Professional Committee. So this is what I do to live and what I live to do....I try not to go into the day with the "Another day, Another dollar" attitude, I try to go into the day with the "Carpe Diem" attitude.
www.nata.org
www.swata.org
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