Lindsay the Intern Week Two

I have never been a very patient person; my family can attest to this (In fact, I am sure they would love to share some stories at my expense). This quality has affected my life in both positive and negative ways. In the absence of patience, I would consider myself a go-getter. Because I cannot stand waiting around for things to happen, I make them happen. Some might call it ambition, but I know my nature is simply the result of waiting-induced anxiety. Despite the negative connotations of lacking patience, I have found it to be the reason for many of my achievements. Getting into the Family and Human Services program was the result not wanting to delay starting on my career path. I knew the gist of what I wanted to do, and not many programs give you the opportunity to spend the majority of your time in the field. So naturally I had to be a part of it. But as life goes, once you jump one hurdle, you soon find yourself approaching another.

  Even though I have my final internship tied down, and my senior project drawn to a point, I can’t help but view the task of teaching life skills to people with traumatic brain injuries as another huge hurdle to leap. I can already feel that anxiety, that itch to dig in. I feel like a runner hunched at the line waiting for the gun blast to signal the full-on sprint that is the end of my undergraduate career. However, I am learning now that before I can start the race, I need to learn to run.

          The majority of this project should be spent on preparation and practice. In order for the residents to have a meaningful experience where they are truly gaining knowledge, I have to base the class on their needs and interests, not my assumptions. I need to know my audience, how to approach them, and what they expect of me. There is no quick simple means to an end in this situation. For a moment, my lack of patience got the best of me. I was ready to start the class before taking the steps needed to make it worthwhile.

  I have always considered practice and preparation to be an integral part of any process but could not find the patience to take the necessary time. Now that people’s lives and independence are at stake, it is time to change my ways and focus. Not on my need for immediate gratification, but rather on the long term effects and impact I can make if I truly pace myself.