In recognizing #WorldMentalHealthDay, I am compelled to reflect on my own mental journey since starting my Ph.D. program. I didn't anticipate mental health being a part of my doctoral adventure, but I soon discovered it went alongside my studies. When I think about the high levels of anxiety I felt when I started the program …
Mental Health in Graduate School
When I started my doctoral program, I didn't realize that maintaining my mental health was going to be a primary focus as I juggled work, courses, presentations, publications, and connections with friends and family. Yet, as I explained in a previous post, I have learned how to navigate and manage my relationship with anxiety while progressing …
A Black Feminist’s Love of Stats
Hi. My name is Amanda. I'm a Black feminist that enjoys statistics. While statistics is often a content area that provokes sighs, headaches, and eye rolls, I find the content interesting. In fact, I optionally take statistics classes to improve my understanding of quantitative research. I like doing the math and using a numerical, scientific …
Living a Holistic, Healthy Lifestyle
When I moved to New Mexico, one draw for me was changing my way of life. Moving from Chicago, I saw my move as an opportunity to learn another side of myself and explore natural, non-urbanized settings. I felt that this move would provide the space for me to connect with myself mentally, emotionally, physically, …
Remembering the Joy of the Doctoral Journey
It's fall of 2005, and I sat around my grandmother's kitchen table with two of my aunts. The kitchen table is where my family normally engages in conversation by telling jokes, sharing stories, or giving their opinion on current news, especially when we haven't seen each other for some time. Unlike other kitchen table talks where the …
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