My name is Meghan Fitzpatrick. I am a senior at the University of Oklahoma. My major is Psychology with a General Business minor. I graduate at the end of this semester, which I can hardly believe is happening, and then I hope to continue on in furthering my education by going to graduate school where I will earn my PhD in School Psychology.
School Psychology is one of the smaller fields of psychology that is constantly growing and expanding so it is common for many people to ask me what School Psychology is. The most simplistic way to answer that is to say that school psychologists help people. To go a little more in depth into that answer, picture a school district. Based on the number of school psychologists that there are in the United States, there is typically one school psychologist per school district. Now picture a teacher that has a student who can be rather disruptive, or a troublesome student. The teacher can ask the school psychologist to come visit with the student to help determine what is the root of the reason why the student is acting the way he or she is. Now that not only is that psychologist helping the student, but they are also helping the other students in the class room and the teacher. I want to be that person. I love children, I love helping people and I love psychology, so this is my dream career. School psychologists can work in the public education system or in private practice. My ultimate goal is to work in private practice and to own my own practice. However, I know that dream is quite a ways off so I will focus on first getting a job once I have finished graduate school.
I am currently taking 18 hours to graduate on time and also complete my business minor. Along with the heavy course load, I also just started working two part-time jobs to help me save up for grad school. I also am an undergraduate research assistant for one of the psychology labs here on campus and an active member of the organization Sigma Phi Lambda. Those girls have just been the most amazing, Jesus praising, group of girls I could find on campus. I have always been a busy-bee, so this work load is nothing new to me. I am glad, however that this online class will allow me to have a little more freedom in my schedule since we can work ahead and work at our own pace, within reason.
I recently had the opportunity to be a maid of honor for my best friend as she was married on January 3rd. The entire process was amazing to be part of and I feel blessed that she chose me to be part of her big day. The wedding was here and Norman, Oklahoma at Wildwood Church and I cannot imagine a more God-fearing couple to get married.
(Me with the Bride, photo taken by Jillian Mueller, one of the other bridesmaids)
What a lovely picture from the wedding, Meghan: the bouquet is gorgeous! A little bit of springtime happiness in the middle of winter! And school psychology is such a great field to go into. So often what teachers are struggling with is not the content of the class they are teaching, but how to reach the children in the room, who are all so different with so many different needs. Those teachers need all the help they can get, and the school psychologist is exactly the person who can play that role. Wonderful! I hope you can find lots of stories in this class that will help inspire your work in the schools. Sometimes a story is the best way to get a message across to someone, young or old, so the more stories you can have ready to go for any situation, the better... and in this class you will have a chance to read LOTS of stories and see which ones resonate for you! I hope you will enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteHello Meghan!
ReplyDeleteI am a psychology major too! I want to be a sports psychologist so I know all about having to explain to people what your field is. I actually have a few friends who are in Sigma Phi Lambda and they are great girls. I am a member of Alpha Phi Omega so I completely understand how amazing it feels to be surrounded by an amazing group of people! Good luck with the semester! I am also taking 18 hours and working so I know it can be tough but you are going to do great!
Hi, Meghan!
ReplyDeleteI think your field of study sounds so cool! What a unique way to help people while pursuing something you love! I totally understand where you're coming from on the class thing. I'm in so many hours and involved in so many things while working that this last semester is really crazy! But I'm looking forward to getting into grad school and having the stability that brings with it as well since you know what you're really focusing on and working for. It'll be worth all of the work, I'm sure! Good luck!
Hi Meghan!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe we are about to graduate?? So crazy! So cool that you want to be a school psychologist, psychology is fascinating to me. Good Luck! Also so fun that you were MOH in your friends wedding! My big sis just got engaged and I'm going to be her MOH in June! A big but fun job! Have a great semester!
-Annie
MEGHAN! Who would have thought that we would have a class together both semesters of our senior year? Crazy cool! I knew you were Ms. Psychology, but I didn't realize that you wanted to do school psychology. I love that for you, and you are going to do great! You're gonna have to let me know about the grad program you choose- especially if it's one on the east coast so we can work on your loving cold weather! Anyway, last semester for us, BRING IT ON!
ReplyDelete-Aves
Meghan, you sound like such a beautiful person! I love that you want a career that focuses on helping children. Also, you sound so passionate about it, so much so that I'm excited for you, and I don't even really know you! By the sounds of it, you've got quite a bright future ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteAh, I can relate to working two jobs and going to school. It can be difficult at times, and I wish you luck and I hope you don't get too overwhelmed.
Hey, Meghan! First off, congratulations on your upcoming graduation! I'm in my junior year now and already dreading the crush of courses to come next year, so I can imagine the stress you are experiencing. But it sounds like you have found the perfect career for yourself, so that at least is something to look forward to! I hope you are able to find a way to manage your classes, work, and still enjoy your senior year!
ReplyDeleteHey Meghan. I am also graduating in May so it is pretty intimidating to see what comes after. That's great that you are majoring in Psychology! I hope all works well with that dream after school. It must be difficult taking a full load and also working two jobs with it being your final semester. Lastly, congrats on your friend getting married.
ReplyDeleteHey, Meghan! Wow – we have so much in common. I lived in Memphis for several years and I actually know the bride from your picture – I didn’t know her as well but did Intervarsity with her new husband, Taylor, before my school schedule got too crazy. I also have a couple friends in Sigma Phi Lambda. Anyways, congratulations on being so close to graduating – you can do it!
ReplyDeleteHey, psychology buddies! I thought about going into School Psychology but Art Therapy stole my heart. Thank you for describing school psychology because I feel like a lot of people think they know what it is when in reality they get confused with school counselors. That is beyond cool you were the maid of honor for your friend, hope the best for the happy couple!
ReplyDeleteHey Meghan! I think it's very interesting that you want to be a school psychologist. I've always been very interested in psychology. My sister is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota and majoring in family social science which works with a lot of the same therapy aspect but focuses on families specifically!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your upcoming graduation! I’m about to graduate too and I know I can’t wait to be done with undergrad and check everything off the list. I love how in depth you are about what you want to do! It helps to have clear goals in mind and it definitely helps when you’re passionate about what you want to do and how you plan to get there. Best of Luck!
ReplyDeleteI think psychology is a very interesting major. I once thought about getting into that same field of study. I'm also graduating in May and I couldn't be more excited. It is a little scary having to be sent out on our own, but I can't wait. Good luck to you in the rest of your semester.
ReplyDeleteHi, Meghan! Congratulations on being so close to graduating! That is awesome that you are also getting a business minor. I am sure it's been a stressful semester with so many hours, but it's getting close to being over (yay!). I am a junior psychology major and I am also interesting in working with kids in my career! I think we are both in Dr. Mayeux's Social Development class. Good luck after graduation!
ReplyDeleteHey Meghan! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! I too am graduating this spring, and it is such a crazy feeling! School psychology sounds like it would be so fun and so rewarding, good luck with graduate school! I am going to medical school in the fall so I understand the need to keep busy to save up for school, I am having to do that as well!
ReplyDeleteWow your friend's bouquet is beautiful! I love weddings, two of my sisters recently got married, so I've been in several weddings lately. They are so much fun!
Nice to meet you! Good luck with the rest of the semester!
Hey Meghan! I'm so excited for us to graduate in May! I also have a bit of a heavy course load (6 classes) so that I can graduate on time. And I think we're working in the same lab, too. With Dr. Barnes? I miss being at Psych Club with you girls! But we have meetings on the only night that I have class. I hope your semester is going great! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Meghan!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on graduating in May. It sounds like you have a very busy semester with two jobs, 18 hours of classes and your extracurricular involvement. I'm sure things can be stressful at times, but you are almost through! Well, at least with undergrad. Best of luck with graduate school. I feel like more and more people are continuing with school, which is always a good idea. Best of luck with the rest of the semester!
Hi Meghan, it is nice to meet you. I cannot believe that graduation is so close! Just about a month left. Wow, I thought I was busy until I read that you are taking 18 hours and have two jobs. You beat me with 3 more hours of school. I wish you the best of luck in grad school! I loved reading about the background and why you psychology is your dream career.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you have your life all figured out. Try not to get too stuck on the schedule and make sure to leave yourself open to have some fun or to deal with changes that can happen in life. I used to be very committed to my life goals and the order they happened in and used to get upset when things didn’t go the way I planned. Remember to have as much fun as a good jesus praising, god-fearing person can :)
ReplyDeleteWow! You've certainaly figured out your field of school psychology, which, I've gotta say, makes you much more informed than a lot of people who are about to graduate without any idea of where they'll be headed off to next. And I can definitely identify with taking a heavy course load (19 hours for me, with lots of upper-division sciences). But that definitely sends a message that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get things done!
ReplyDeleteHi Meghan. As a Psychology major myself, I think it is wonderful that you know what you want to do! School Psychology is definitely a great field. I have only ever known one other person who has gone on to graduate school for this field of Psychology and they had great success with finding a job after graduate school, so I know you'll be fine. Especially, with your hard work ethic. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of the semester and in graduate school. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHello Meghan! Congratulations on the decision to take on graduate school! I know several people who are also continuing their educations in a number of different fields. Most of them are health-centered though. You're the first student I've met who wants to pursue psychology. My mom always loved that subject. I wish she could have studied it further. Good luck and have fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Meghan, thanks for the cool intro! I am graduating in just a few weeks as well, crazy!! You must me extremely busy with all those jobs, but props to you for saving up money for grad school, that's awesome! I think my fraternity brother married the girl in that pic...haha, small world! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Meghan! I've never heard of school psychology, which is odd since my girlfriend is a psych major also, and I hear about it from her a lot! But that's very cool you want to help people, the world can always use more people willing to help others. Good luck with your career and congrats on graduating!
ReplyDeleteHi Meghan! Congratulations on making it to the final lap of your undergrad tenure. It is crazy that the semester is about to come to an end. Psychology seems like it would be such a fascinating field to study in. That is awesome that you are wanting to delve in the School Psychology field. It sounds like it would be a very rewarding job getting to help students. Good luck with the rest of the semester!
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