So, I did my thesis proposal defense this morning, and it was a breeze. I was more than well prepared, and am quite confident that I am on the right track. My committee members, Dr. Krift, Dr. Fabj, and Mr. John Bennardo gave me some great feedback. I honestly think that I have chosen a winning committee. Each member brings something important to the table in regards to their expertise! Additionally, I really admire and respect each of them as professionals in their field. So, I have a little bit more work to do, and then my final defense is set for December 9th!

I just arrived back from California last night, where I have been for the past few days shooting some interviews for my thesis/creative project. Whilst I was in LA I met up with some interesting people who gave me some wonderful advice for my career search. One thing you will learn as your graduation date draws closer, your idea of what you want to be when you grow up will probably change a trillion times. I think the best mindset to have is to be accepting of a wide range of career specialties. As one professor told me, ‘throw your net out there, and see what you reel in’. That is what I will be doing. Coming out of college is a very daunting event. I have even contemplated doing my PhD… perhaps for the wrong reasons (fearing failure and that I may not get a job… pursuing a PhD ensures that I won’t have to face that obstacle for another three or so years!). But that isn’t the mind set to have.

In the past few months my life and world around me has changed completely. Previously, I was on a very well defined path, I knew exactly where life was taking me, and I was aware of the sacrifices I was making - sure they were worth the effort. But, you will begin to learn that people will walk in and out of your life - perhaps timing is everything. It is events such as these, meetings such as these, in which you step back and evaluate your life from an outside perspective… a perspective that can perhaps redefine the way you see the world. It is a process of growing and learning, a continues cycle of discovery, understanding who you are and what you want. Ultimately, I have discovered that the predefined plan was not what I desired. There is so much that the world has to offer, and so much I have to offer the world. If you have heard the saying, ‘the world is your oyster’, you will hear it again as you prepare to graduate… and it will never sound as true as the day you walk into the hall on graduation day.

So, I am on the two month count down. I have so very much to do… and so very little time. Once again, I stress, as I have many times before: Be Proactive! A few medial tasks I am currently working on (which I don’t truly have the time to… but need to) are:
* Resume
* Resume Reel
* Letters of Recommendation
* Thesis/creative project
* Homework
* Preparing for the new year (where am I going to live after December… which state?)
* What am I going to do with all my stuff?!
* Have I registered for Graduation? Have you?
* Are my accounts in order?
* Is my international status in order? Shall I start applying for my OPT (Optional Practical Training)?

These are just a handful of the many concerns and tasks consuming my life… and I haven’t even mentioned my Marketing Dept. work…

I have been making progress however! Today I shot the intro to my first segment of my thesis (see photo below… a behind the scenes shot). And I also met with Dr. Robert Watson, who has been a tremendous mentor advising me on my resume and cover letter. Another thing I recommend is finding a mentor on campus. It doesn’t have to be someone that is assigned to you. Find a professor, faculty, or staff member whom you relate to. They may be the best help you have ever had, and they can share their successes and failures with you. As my dad always says, ‘A fool is one who learns from his own mistakes; a wise man is the one who learns from the mistakes of others’. So, be wise, be proactive, and be true to yourself.

I received a question from a new graduate student at Lynn. It is as follows:

Today at 1:04pm
Message: From Brad

“I just started grad school at Lynn for Communications & Media, do you have any advice? thanks!

Brad”

Ashlea Evans
Today at 1:16pm

“Hi Brad,

I recommend that if you are considering doing a thesis or creative project, that you start right now. It’s a lot of work, but well worth it. Choose a topic you are passionate about and would enjoy dedicating a lot of time to. Start speaking to your advisor now, they will be able to advise you on how to further develop your ideas, and create a central focus.

Also, if you are going to be missing class or can’t finish an assignment, just chat to the prof. They are understanding, and unlike undergraduate student classes, they realize that you probably have a full time job, are taking classes at night, and sometimes life happens in between. I have found that the best way to ensure a worthy grade is to participate in class discussions, bring up new ideas, comments etc. I also found that I have learned the most and made the most out of my graduate career that way. The class is so diverse, multi-cultural, and innovative. Each student has something to offer, it’s up to you to listen, and respond.

I have loved my Masters, and it really gives one the freedom to branch out into the areas one is passionate about. Just give it everything you’ve got, because if this is the last degree you plan to get, you have to make the most of it. The time flies so fast, and before you know it, you’ll be finishing up (like me!).

Carpe Diem - Grasp the moment…

It’s daunting to see the end approaching, but I must say that staying an extra year to do my Master of Science in Communication was one of the best last minute choices I made!

Best of luck Brad!

Ashlea.”

To all the new graduate students at Lynn, Welcome! If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comment box below and I will answer all!

For those of you who are thinking about attending Graduate School, Lynn offers some great courses. Most of the classes are in the evenings, and an accelerated 8-week term program is available. There are also online or distance learning  courses offered. Lynn also offers Graduate Assistantships, such as what I am doing.

Dear Diary,

(sigh) where to begin…

For those of you who are about to start Graduate School, this is a post for you.

I never thought that I would do my masters, and as my undergraduate degree came to an end earlier than expected, I decided that the best option would be to work as a graduate assistant and continue my education. I am so very happy I did, and I highly recommend that even if you are doubting which path you should take, continue with school - an education is something no one can take away from you. It is well worth the effort, time, and investment. Not only will it benefit you personally in terms of growth and development, but it will also give you a phenomenal advantage when getting your first job.

If I look back on my masters degree thus far, I am astounded by how much I have learned. I found that the Master of Science in Communication at Lynn has taught me not only to think in a very critical manner, but to develop and support my own arguments. Mostly, I have learned to believe in myself and the validity and credibility of my own ideas. Much of this comes from the classroom environment that Lynn offers. My graduate class ranges in size from 6 students to 10 students. All of my professors and teachers have encouraged class discussions, and I find I truly learn from others’ viewpoints, and I now have a better idea of how to support my own arguments.

So, the time has come in which I have to put the skills and knowledge I have gained into practice. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is Thesis time!
I have successfully changed my mind four times on what my thesis is going to be about. It started with YouTube and Africa, and is now somewhere between the idea of media and the world. I like to leave my topics broad as to ensure I have a lot to write on!

On a more serious note, I have been putting a huge amount of research into my thesis ideas. In the evenings I have been going to Barnes and Nobles and just browsing the rows of books, hoping to stimulate some thought, develop ideas, or possibly experience an epiphany. I am not yet completely inspired, yet on the right track. I am simultaneously reading several books, on a broad range of topics, all encompassing human rights and international affairs. My idea is to incorporate a passion, with a media influence or effect.

Someone recently said to me that one’s thesis is going to require an extreme amount of time, effort, and endeavor, thus ensure that it is something that you are passionate about; as well as something that you can use in your future career goal. This is what got me thinking about the seriousness of choosing a thesis topic! This thesis topic decision is a huge commitment! And I am not exactly the most decisive of individuals. I want to make an informed decision, thus the late nights at Barnes and Nobles until closing, and the mass of books lying scattered across my bed with scribbled notes on odd pieces of paper (You never know when you’re having an epiphany until after it has occurred - I’m not taking any chances; I’m writing everything down!).

Well, it is back to the books for me.

A question from Jadin:
As an international student I was wondering if you studied British English? How hard is it to study textbooks in American English? I went to school in Belgium and that is all they have taught us.

Answer:
Yes, Jadin, I did study British English in school. In fact, I went to the International School of Cape Town in South Africa and studied under the Cambridge System. In the USA, one obviously has to adjust to learning, reading and writing in American English. It takes a while to get used to, however, you’ll become accustomed to it within a few weeks. I remember when I started as a freshman, I quickly learnt which words I would have to write differently (such as colour and color, neighbour and neighbor, centre and center). My first graded paper was returned with a scribble of corrected spelling errors. I was so embarrassed, as I have always prized myself on my grammar and spelling! After that spell of embarrassment, I quickly learnt (which in American English would be ‘learned’) how to adjust!

I highly recommend that before you start here, change your Microsoft word language settings to English US and keep your spelling check on. I still rely on that today!

You will find that in American English they rarely use words such as ‘therefore’ and ‘thus’. Thus, your papers sound very proper and you’ll be credited for it! However, when I wrote for the school newspaper, The iPulse, I found that those proper words I naturally use were omitted for more colloquial words.

You’ll get the hang of it… it’s just tough when you have to write e mails home to friends and family, as you’ll have to write in British English… or else they’ll wonder why a college student, such as yourself, is making the simplest of spelling errors!

For the last two day I have been sick in bed. I am so nauseous! Additionally, just my luck, I get food poisoning over my finals week. I have finished one of my finals, which is due tonight, and the other I am yet to finish… which is due Thursday. It’s a 10 page paper, so I need to get cracking on that one, however, I feel so ill and weak, I can’t bring myself to doing it!

So, this weekend was a lazy weekend. My boyfriend is recovering from the flu, so we watched kids movies like ‘monster house’ and I made brownies (which we consumed both for breakfast and brunch!). On Sunday we decided our balcony needed some more greenery… so we bought a bunch of flower pots and a selection of our favorite herbs. I never realized how much fun it would be potting herbs! I lack the secret ingredient of ‘Green Fingers’… but with a little singing and some Mozart playing softly in the background, Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary, Chives, and Parsley may live a happy 9 days and 21 hours. However, with fun always comes cleanup… my balcony looked like a marsh after we were done.

So, thinking that my homework wouldn’t take that long this weekend, I left it all for President’s Day. Bad idea! Somehow it took a good 17 hours longer than I had anticipated. Okay, to be fair, the procrastination monster did wave the TV in my direction for a good 40 minutes… and the ‘I may be hungry’ temptation dragged me to the kitchen on more than one occasion, only to stare blankly at a fridge full of healthy food (which didn’t have the same kick as the previous day’s brownies). Well, somewhere around 3:30 am I dragged myself to bed. I can’t sleep if I haven’t finished what I started… plus it is due today and I have a full day at work. And then I lay in bed for a good 30 minutes wondering if I should change some of the wording in my project.

So, when I woke up at 7:05 this morning, it is understandable that I am not looking as cheery as usual.

Anyway, back to work… after a quick cup of coffee (or five) to keep me awake!

I’m loving my job as Graduate Assistant in the Marketing Department. It truly gives me the opportunity to use all the skills that I have learnt over the last 3.5 years of my undergrad. One of the events I am arranging is the “I’m Lynn” contest. The contest is such a wonderful opportunity for a Lynn student to get their work promoted, and win some cash. Students create a 2-5 minute mini documentary, audio slideshow, music video, or something like that. The topic of the video has to be something about Lynn University, for example: A day in the life of … (a faculty member, a student, an athlete), My favorite thing about Lynn is…, etc.

There are four prizes: The Grand Prize ($500 cash), The Overall Video Category Award ($100 cash), The Overall Audio/slideshow Category Award ($100), The $50 cash random draw.

The contest website is here

I am really hoping that we have many many entries. I’ve been going around to the classes and talking to the students, and also asking the teachers and professors to promote the contest. I guess we’ll just have to find out on April 15th - the contest deadline.

Grad classes so far have been very time consuming. I shouldn’t really be complaining as I have Friday and Monday off to complete assignments and papers, but somehow there is never enough time in the day!

I work 9-5 on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Marketing Department. On Thursdays I work until I have completed my 20 hrs for that week. I am not allowed to work more than 20 hours (which quite frankly is not enough time).

On Tuesday night I have a 6-8pm class (I also have a Monday evening online chat session that generally is an hour long), Thursdays I have a 6-10pm class! That class is way too long!

Then, in between the classes I have books to read, papers to write, and let me not mention the Finals I need to start working on! Next week is already midterms as the courses are 8 weeks long - yet I feel like I’ve just begun!

This weekend is going to be consumed by homework. I would really like to get my final papers in progress, so that the last few weeks aren’t too stressful.

I finally understand what not having a life is truly like. It doesn’t bother me too much, because I really enjoy what I’m doing. So, if you haven’t figured out yet, the new years plan of swimming is yet to begin! But it’s been too cold anyway! (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!)

So, I recently wrote a story for the Ipulse about having a green holiday (and I’m not talking about the adjective).

I thought I’d post it as I really think its something every one should think about. This holiday season, I decided that instead of having a christmas tree, I’d decorate my potted tree (Rather pathetic looking tree as I always forget to water it… which reminds me!).

A Green Christmas
By Ashlea Evans

The holiday season is a time for giving, so why not give back to the environment? When you set out to celebrate the holidays this year, consider going green. Christmas takes its toll on the environment, with tons of extra garbage, millions of chopped-down trees and megawatts of flashing lights. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. When you set out to celebrate the season this year, take a little time to consider how you can make your Christmas a green Christmas. “Most countries produce too much waste,” says Bernard Londoni “It is only through recycling that we can help diminish the waste amounts. Many of the plastic products we use today are either recyclable or made of recycled materials.”
Before you rush out to pick your Christmas tree, there are a few things to keep in mind. Fake trees are non-recyclable, while real trees can be recycled and used for much more. The best option would be to have no tree at all, and rather decorate a potted tree. Wrapping paper and gift boxes can be recycled, as well as all the glass and plastics collected over the holiday. Why not replace your old string lights with low energy lights, such as LEDs? The U.S. Department of Energy completed a study and found that if everyone replaced their holiday lights with LEDs, in a month two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved, that would be enough to power 200 thousand homes for one year.