Happy Holidays!

Wow!  I cannot believe that this semester is over!  I am relieved to be taking a break but anxious to start looking for jobs!  I really enjoyed my classes this semester and am looking forward to next semester's classes.  I am really excited for the mini-classes, I am taking motivational interviewing and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.  My substance abuse classes are really great and I have enjoyed all of them, I can't wait to get out in the "real world" and work!  I have decided to pursue my PhD after a few years in the field.  I want some more hands on experience before I come back to school.  It's really hard to believe that these two years have gone by so fast.  I can honestly say I have learned so much about social work and myself in this short amount of time.  I know that what I have learned will be of great use to me and my future clients.  Next time I write  a blog entry I will be in my last semester of school!  Have a great holiday season!  

Where does the time go?

Wow. The last month has flown by. I can't believe it is almost the end of September! I started working at an intensive outpatient substance abuse facility for my field placement and I really like it. I am getting a lot of hands on experience with individual and group work. Classes started a few weeks ago and I am just getting back into the swing of things and getting used to reading ALOT again! I am really enjoying all of my classes this semester. My favorite class at this point is my adolescent mental health class. I think it is going to be really interactive and interesting. I am realizing how busy I am going to be this year in trying to get my Substance Abuse certificate and school social work licensure done. I am also helping out as assistant for the Clinical Lecture Series that takes place at the school one Monday a month. It is a really great opportunity for students and practitioners to hear about different interesting topics. If you want to know more let me know!
Chapel Hill is really beautiful right now and the weather is just getting better and better. It also seems that our football team is going to be good this year, GO HEELS! Since my field placement is in Raleigh I am learning more about that area as well. There are a lot of really interesting things to do in the triangle that I had never done before as an undergrad.

It is crazy how fast this year seems to be going already, I know its going to be over before I know it. I'll be keeping in touch! Erin B :)

Here we go!

After a few months of reading, babysitting and relaxing I'm ready for my second year as a graduate student to begin.  I'm excited to see all of the second year students and to meet the new students in a few days at their orientation.  I can't believe that one year is already done, it went by so fast!  This year is also very exciting because I will be taking the classes that I am most interested in and I am really excited about my field placement.  Only a few more days and I will not be able to complain about not having anything to do, I will have plenty to do!  Tonight I am going to volunteer at SHAC, the health clinic run by students.  Although I never thought I would want to work in a hospital setting I have really enjoyed working at SHAC.  I feel like I have learned a lot about direct practice and have gotten real hands on experience there.  I would urge anyone who has not volunteered at least once to try it out.  Tomorrow is the first day the ambassadors get to meet the new students and I am really excited.  Just thinking about all the stuff I have to do in the next few days makes me think I better get started!  I'll be back with updates and a much busier schedule in a few days.