And so it starts

Like so many other things out there, there has to be a beginning. Welcome to my beginnings as Professional Communications graduate student. As such, i've been tasked with keeping a blog. After my first research class last week, I was overwhelmed by how much I have to complete by the middle of the semester.

This blog itself was probably the most intimidating assignment I have received in a long time. 

I am overwhelmed. I have to start and complete a research project by the end of March. And then wait patiently on pins and needles to see if it has been accepted. I've taken research classes in the past, and yet, i'm still a bit confused about the whole process. After thinking about this blog, I am actually glad to do it because then I can see where others are in their processes. It will all work out. (At least that is what i'm telling myself) 

Of course, I had also wondered if there were academic benefits to blogging. I did a bit of research and came across an article appropriately titled "Blogging for Mental Health".  As a graduate student, I feel that mental health could possibly be an issue given the numerous demands upon my time as a student/TA/wife/mother/friend. And so many other roles I have in my life. Thankfully,  Novotney (2014)  states "research has also documented such psychological benefits as lowered anxiety, less rumination and fewer depressive symptoms" (p. 42). So Yay for blogging! 

Seriously, however, there does appear to be many benefits to blogging in the academic world. Most notably, VanBuren (2014) states blogging helps with key aspects of research including definition of topics, becoming familiar with different points of view on our topics as well as just practicing writing. Obviously, the more you write, the more your skills are developed and honed. 

Most importantly, it is a well known fact that graduate students tend to be rather lacking in the money department. There are few graduate students who have "extra" money laying around, It is helpful to acknowlege George Gosling's point of view that blogs are the "resesarch seminars and conferences that we can all make it to."  And, I have to admit, that is the one thing that i've missed since stepping away from my previous professional role- the ability to attend 2-3 conferences every year. So, yes, I do agree with Gosling and I look forward to the opportunities this blog will afford. 


References

Gosling, George. (2014, May 12). Academic Blogging is Seasonal [Web log].  Retrieved from https://gcgosling.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/academic-blogging-is-seasonal/


Novotney, Amy. (2014). Blogging For Mental Health. Monitor on Psychology,45. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/06/blogging.aspx

VanBuren, Emily. (2014, May 22). Open Thread: Should You Blog Your Dissertation Research? [Web log]. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/open-thread-should-you-blog-your-dissertation-research