Applications are in. You’re anxious to find out the results.
Maybe you have coworkers or friends who are asking you that terrible question: “So have you heard from any of the schools you applied to?” to which you answer, “No, nothing yet.” And they respond, “Oh don’t worry! I know you’ll get in!” That nice (and seemingly mandatory) response does nothing to quell the apprehension.
Maybe try these ideas instead. Hopefully they’ll help you pass the time.
1. Check Out the Linguistic Llama Memes
I’m not sure who started this (or where) but the Linguistic Llama is enjoyable. Try googling it or checking out this tumblr, this facebook page.
2 Obsessively Refresh The Grad Cafe
If you don’t happen to know about it, I’m preemptively sorry. You’ll now be tempted endlessly refresh the Grad School Admissions Results page… or to read the forums for days on end.
3 Pace Endlessly
I find this particularly enjoyable if you have your cell phone with you and can constantly slide down to refresh your email.
4 Check out these fun SLP themed t-shirts
You’re not an SLP yet, but when you become one, you’ll definitely want one of the sweet shirts available at PeachieSpeech.com! Here’s a preview of the amazing-ness:
5 Call Your Mom
No one can provide help (or a shoulder to cry on) like your mom!
If you’re not satisfied with 1-5… consider these next (much more serious) ideas to keep busy
6 Take a class
If you’re missing a basic science requirement, why not try to get it done? Maybe a local community college is offering an online biology or psychology class! If you’re not up for the pressure of an extra, for-credit class, maybe try one of these free options through Coursera!
If you’ve never taken a class with Coursera, you might be pleasantly surprised!
7 Get Some Exercise
You all know all of the good things exercise can do for you so I´m not going to repeat them here. The point is… GO GET SOME EXERCISE!
8 Make a Plan B
Obviously we´re all hoping to get in, but does it hurt to have a plan B? The chances of getting into SLP school on the first round are slim. If you don´t get in, are you going to teach English abroad for a year? Maybe you´d like to find a job as an SLPA? If you don´t have a plan, talk to your mentors and make one!
9 Do more Research on your schools
Kind of the opposite of number 8… imagine you were to get into every school you applied to. Do some extra research on the finer details of the program. Maybe see if you can get in touch with a student currently in the program.
10 Read Something Different
I love to read. I am currently an English teacher, so I’m constantly looking for new books to add to my classroom library or read with my students.
That said, sometimes it is so invigorating to read something out of your normal area (In my case young adult fiction). Recently, I read a super-amazingly-interesting book on neurology (don’t worry! It is not nearly as hard as it sounds). It was sort of like a “mental jog” and it made me feel great!
Somehow it sent me down this wormhole that lead me onto ASHA’s scholarly journals. I don’t have a membership, but a good SLP friend of mine downloaded some articles I was interested in. I don’t understand everything in them, but I was still able to get a lot out of them. My point is… find something new to read!
11 Enjoy Some ConversationsInSpeech
I started listening to podcasts to maintain my sanity during my 2+ hour commute home (Welcome to #MexicoDF). Now I listen because they’re pretty much the most amazing thing ever. If you’re never listened to a podcast, I highly recommend that this instant you stop whatever you’re doing and listen to RadioLab. No seriously -Go now.
After that, check out this other podcast called Conversations In Speech. It is hosted and produced by an SLP named Jeff. He brings on SLP’s and other professionals in similar areas to discuss areas relevant to the field. There is definitely some material here that is over my head since I’m not an SLP yet. Despite that, I’ve found the first few episodes super interesting. More than that, they’re helping me get an even better feel for the field that awaits me after graduation.
So there you have it! 11 ways to keep busy while waiting on SLP School Admission Results.