Lately I've been thinking a lot about grad school and how being an art therapy grad student specifically defines my time and my thoughts. It's occurred to me on multiple occasions that grad school for AT and preschool aren't all that different. If you don't understand satire we can't be friends, it just won't work.
So, here are 5 ways that my experience right now is similar to that of a preschooler.
1. Bringing home artwork you made at school
We do a lot of art work during class. Either because someone included an experiential in their presentation, one of our professors planned an experiential, or the fact that a lot of us are visual learners and we draw and color stuff out a lot. Or maybe we did a guided meditation just to chill before starting class. You better believe some of it goes on my fridge. The rest I tape on my wall.
2. Equal chance of regression among AT grad students and preschoolers
There's lots of talk around which materials to use and avoid with certain populations. A common one is not using glitter with younger kids cause they'll get excited and make a mess and get it everywhere. I'm here to tell you that I too will get excited, and make a mess, and get it everywhere. Another example, particularly for my cohort, is the day we did shaving cream print making. Let's just say some folks got a little carried away. I won't post them here but there are some great pictures of this out there.
3. Use of timers
On Tuesdays, my cohort has a break from 3-6, some of us 2-6. During this time we often attempt to catch up on readings and other homework. I have to set a timer on my phone for us or we'll just sit there and talk to each other the whole time. For every 15 minutes of quiet work we get to talk for 5 minutes. Some days it's more effective than others, but no matter how well it's working it seems like we all wait for the 15 minute quiet time to do things like go to the bathroom, refill water bottles, and generally leave the room. I set timers for my Head Start clients. We are all 20 + years their senior and still need them apparently.
4. Oversharing
When you're trying to learn how to help someone navigate their own stuff while you're also navigating your own stuff, you're going to overshare. It's going to happen and it's okay. Preschoolers tend to overshare about all kinds of family stuff, Mommy's wine habit, Daddy's bad words and what color their poop was this morning. We do it too. I've agreed to forgive everyone, I wouldn't be surprised if they've agreed to forgive me too. Also, a little different from oversharing is how much I know about some of the people in my cohort is really insane but that's what happens when you're together as much as we are.
5. Crying to your teacher
My personal favorite and maybe the most accurate-nobody cries to their teacher like preschoolers and AT grad students. I've been in this program 6 months and already lost count of how many times this has happened. Sometimes I go in one of their offices and cry for several minutes before I even say any words. Also, crying in general applies here too. Two weeks ago at the grocery store they didn't have my sushi, I cried. I'm serious, I was really upset. Last week when they did it, I cried then too. I'm not even really sure why. I was just so excited and I was remembering how sad I'd been two weeks prior.
Well, there you have it. I'm open to suggestions and expanding the list! Leave me comments if you think of something I missed!
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