Essay Writer's Block

As I sit here staring at my computer screen, I am at a total loss for where to start. Sure I can write blog post after blog post with ease, but what I really need to write if leaving me at a loss. I have been attempting to start my personal statement for graduate school applications for a few weeks now. However, every time I sit down to write I cannot think of where I want my essay to go. I am very good at simply rambling on and on when it doesn't really matter, but that's not exactly the approach to take when your academic future is riding on one essay. I have read several sample essays as a way to find ideas of where I should start. Though following another person's example doesn't really scream the individuality that the admissions office is looking for in an essay. With that in mind, I tried to think of the best way I could put an individual twist on my essay. Here are the few ideas I was given courtesy of a long talk with my mother about what to say and how to say it.

       1. Go the typical route of what characteristics you have that would make you a good physical therapist. Simple, straightforward, but pretty boring.

       2. Talk about what being a physical therapist means to me. Again, not the most exciting thing but would be acceptable.

       3. Give them the background story on how you got to the place where being a physical therapist was the right career for you. Show them that through past experiences you have a unique perspective to offer.

Armed with these new ideas, I think I may finally have broken out of this writer's block that has plagued me for the past few weeks. I hope to come back on here in a few weeks and let you know that my final essay is complete and ready to amaze any admission's person it is placed in front of. If not, hopefully my essay is at least different than the hundreds of others they have seen this year.

Until next time,

AJ

Currently in My Life....

So it's almost the end of August. That means many things to me.

First off, summer is basically over and classes will be starting in the near future. It will be my final year of undergraduate study here at the University of Minnesota. I cannot believe how fast the past 3 years have went. As crazy as it is that I will be graduating in less than a year, it is also completely thrilling to think about what the next chapter of my life will bring. As I sit here waiting for school to start, I am waist deep in Graduate School applications. I wish I was much farther along with them, but it is definitely a long process. I wish I could just blink and they would be complete. That, and I could know which school I will be attending come next summer. Unfortunately, that wait to get acceptance/rejection letters will last well into next year. As if I wasn't stressed enough.

Secondly, I am starting school my sister will be in the same boat, only this time she is starting college. It still baffles me that she is old enough to be going to college. I feel like just yesterday we were riding bikes around the block and fighting over the last chocolate chip cookie. Oh who am I kidding, we did just that last weekend. ;) But I am excited that she is embarking on this new chapter in her life. I can't wait to see what college brings for her. I am complete faith she will survive and thrive.

Next, I am officially entering my final week of work at camp. These past 11 weeks have just flown by to me and my fellow counselors. Each week brought new challenges and I am happy to say I learned a great deal this summer thanks to the wonderful kids I got the chance to work with. There were times when I did not want to face them or their attitudes, however the hugs and smiles I would receive from most kids made up for it. I got to experience so many different things this summer. I finally learned how to sail, broke boards in Tae Kwon Do, and became a full-on crafter again. I am sad to say I will miss these kids but I have faith they will all go on to accomplish great things.

Lastly, August has meant the beginning of volleyball season and my first officially duty as a coach. I have been in informal positions many times, but this is the first season where I am really getting to coach and put all my knowledge to use. Needless to say, I am very exciting about what the next few months will bring for the team. I hope to learn so much from them as well as my fellow coaches. Hopefully I can pass on some of my knowledge as well. 

There are so many other thoughts I could share but that would get boring real fast. So I hope to be back soon with another update.

P.S. How good to my Brewers look right now? :) And the Packers are ready to make this season real interesting. can't wait.


Until next time,
AJ

Let's Try This Again

So I had a blog by this same title, only I can't access it anymore thanks to switching my school email account. While it is unfortunate that I can't write over there anymore, this is just as good. Now I can't promise I will get the chance to write much with my crazy schedule, but I hope to post something at least once a week. As for what I will write about, it can be anything. I have been known to post about my past vacations, ramble on about things currently happening in my life, or reflect back on my past and the people in my life. If any of that interests you, then feel free to read. I hope whatever I do write makes you reflect on your own experiences and maybe even influences a change. Anyway, I will stop rambling now. I plan to leave you with an inspirational quote every time so here is today's.

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." ~Elbert Hubbard

~Abbie