Week 8 Update

July 27, 2023

Three accomplishments:

1. I completed my final presentation without stumbling on my words too much! I am very proud of myself. 

2. I made so many new friends who I plan to keep in touch with. I can't wait to see what projects they all work on at their home schools.

3. I completed the program! I feel more confident in my ability to conduct research and create research papers regarding historical topics, and I'm really looking forward to applying my time at this program to my senior thesis I'll complete this year.

Three obstacles to completion of my best work:

1. The fast-approaching "goodbye" deadline made me more emotional this week. I know I'll miss everyone, so that felt like a cloud on the horizon all week. 

2. I had a hard time getting a good night's sleep this week because of nerves. 

3. The "Barbenheimer" double-feature this past Sunday reinvigorated my existential anxiety and cast another cloud on my mood this week. 

Three things I've learned:

1. Presenting in conferences isn't too scary when you have supportive peers to cheer you on.

2. I was avoiding thinking about graduate school because the cost intimidates me, but after talking with some peers, I am now heavily considering graduate school for Museum Studies. I think I would like the opportunity to continue learning with motivated students like those I met these past eight weeks. 

3. Document, document, document!