the clinic has been flooded with new students these days.
a bunch of perky first years running around,
all with apprehensive terror in their eyes.
were we that perky?
we don't think so.
gosh, i hope not.
have you ever noticed that the true sign of
feeling like you're getting the hang of something,
is when you're no longer the new kids on the block?
i mean.
we're fully aware of the terror of what graduation means.
we're fully aware of how much we don't know.
we're fully aware of how grossly unprepared we feel for the real world.
but.
also.
we're fully aware of every second of the past year.
we're (becoming) fully aware that.
we really have learned something.
we really have learned a lot.
in this field,
you spend your whole life learning.
any given client can walk in your door,
any given child can walk into your school,
any given patient can end up in your medical facility.
and suddenly nothing you've really learned applies anymore.
suddenly before you is a brand new puzzle.
we can't know everything.
especially considering how young this field is.
oh my gosh is there so much we don't know.
but you know what we do know?
we know how to tackle anything.
we know what to watch for and how to approach things.
the main difference i've noticed in clinic this fall
compared to previous semesters,
(especially compared to back in january)
is the autonomy we're provided.
our supervisors.
generally speaking--
they trust us.
they follow our observations,
validate our line of thinking,
support the conclusions we come to.
i mean.
of course they're still supervising.
of course they're still the licensed authority in the building.
but they've stepped back much more than before in all areas,
not just in the therapy room.
and you know what?
our plans and thoughts and observations?
they're usually on exactly the right track.
they provide guide posts, of course.
but.
it's much less supervision,
and much more corroboration.
the reins of implementation are entirely in our hands.
little glimpses into the eyes and souls of those terrified first-years
confirm this beautiful truth:
the very worst that grad school has to offer?
it's over.
we've long-since embarked on that downhill slide.
and the light at the end?
it's finally starting to appear.
just see how far we've come.
hallelujah.
