It has been a crazy transition to August. I had my first final in 14 years! Crazy preparing for it. I think my short term memory is horrible, but my long term memory is still very good. Ask me if I remember specific scenes from the original Star Wars Trilogy… Anyways, I figured out that I have to commit things to long term memory to do well on exams/quizzes. Problem is that the process of saving things to long term memory is a very intensive process… going over things thoroughly 4 or 5 times, instead of once or twice. Couple minor short term memory impairments with the physical impairments of tremors/ataxia/minor double vison/ minor speech dysarthria and you have some major obstacles in the classroom.  Based on my experiences in the summer session at UCSD, I think they can be addressed: Extra time to take quizzes/exams, use of a laptop, seating in the front of the classroom, and a note taker or presentation sharing. Technology is great… I use my smart phone to set reminders/alerts and create “to do” lists to address short term memory lapses. (Maybe I’m just getting older… hee hee hee…)
Anyways, I started cleaning out my place in San Diego this week and started shipping stuff to Houston. Again, I get to be the new guy. I’ve become very familiar with that role. To me, it’s kind of exciting to start fresh and test yourself against new challenges. It’s like starting with a clean slate… No body knows you, and you don’t know anybody. I do know a few people in Houston, so the transition will be a little easier than my transition to San Diego from Michigan. In San Diego, I was immersed with many peers in similar life stages developing their professional lives. With this return to school in a new environment, I’m not so sure I’ll find people in similar life stages. I’m gonna be the oddball. Professionally this move makes sense, but the task of finding new peers to hangout with might be challenging.
Developing a strategy for adapting to a new environment is half the excitement for me. Planning and training feed my Type A Personality, but socially I’m very laid-back. That is a very odd dynamic. I like working with “Go-getters”, but I like to hangout with people who are “chill” and laugh at everything. A strategy for a return to school is starting to form. The goal is to publish more peer-reviewed articles. I’ve published independent articles from my perspective, but I need to strengthen my scientific writing.
I’m leaving for Houston on Friday morning to start a new adventure! I move into my apartment in Houston on Friday! 2 more days in San Diego! Gotta grab a California Burrito and a Habit Burger before I leave!