Blog 23: Helping 2013

Interview 5

Who did you interview: Jada Hall
What day and time: Thursday, April 26, 2012 Location: Denny's 12:40-13:38

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• Her answer: I want it to be on Psychiatry specifically on patients who have Autism. I want it to be my senior project because I always enjoyed watching films of people with Autism and I would love to interact and help them out through the field of Psychiatry. 
• Feedback offered: It's excellent that you have a solid senior topic, the fact that you pin-pointed it to a specific type of Psychiatry and not let it be general is a great idea! The fact that you have been so interested in Psychiatry regardless of how many years of school it would require suggests that you are really interested in the topic and will be able to create a superb product.

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting? Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year.

• Her answer: I haven't started looking for a place on Psychiatry, although I do know that I either want to shadow a Psychiatrist or be able to observe group sessions with people with Autism or other mental disorders. 
• Feedback offered: Make sure to find a place to conduct your service learning as soon as you can, and make sure you have the ability to commute there: either make it near I-Poly or near your home so that it wouldn't be such a hassle. Most importantly, don't give up looking for places because you want to continue to have service learning in a point of interest and not just because you didn't look hard enough. You have a great idea of shadowing one-on-ones and group sessions, although I am not specifically sure if my peers had trouble finding service learning, I know that your interest will allow Psychiatrist to let you into their facility with open arms.

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• Her answer: I have high expectations on the Seniors; they have been working on this project for eight months and I expect it to be engaging, interesting, and not boring! Since the dedication and projects and presentations have been happening for a long time I expect to see a great presentation and most importantly learn from the projects and being able to get little pits and pieces to use on my presentation.
• Suggestions regarding how they should approach watching the 2 hour presentation: I suggest that Jada would try her best on going to senior projects in the fields of Psychiatry, Psychology, and other mental forms of therapy. Keep all of the hand-outs, take mental or actual notes of how they executed their presentation and method of engaging the students and being able to use it on her own.

4. What questions do they have about senior project? What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project? Be specific and note what you told them.

• Questions she asked:

1. Do you get half-days off? Yes! The half-days are designed to allow you to take Young Scholars courses which you should take advantage of and use for an independent component since you are eligible. Also, it allows you to go to service learning and be able to complete your hours with an expert in your field.
2. Why do I have to start looking for places to interview at and volunteer right now? Although you can't start anything in this current type except the summer component, it is great to start getting involved in service learning in order to get multiple contacts, have access to resources that will be extremely helpful in your senior project?
3. How many presentations do you have to do? A 5 minute on the reason you want to do your senior project, three 5 minute presentations on your answers for your essential question, a 20 minute presentation with a foundation on your essential question with an activity included, and the beloved 2 hour presentation.
4. If I have more questions can I ask you later? Sure!

• Additional recommendations given:

1. Prepare your summer in managing your time wisely, don't leave anything last minute or procrastinate. You don't want due dates of core-related projects and homework snowballing down on you when you have to also work on senior project.
2. Try your best to complete all the work on time, the Senior Team follow the NC rule and if you are unable to complete a component you will have to do it as soon as possible or suffer from not walking during graduation, going to prom, or Grad Nite.
3. Take your time on projects, work on them little by little each day and you will be able to go above-and-beyond the said expectations in order to get the AE. Don't be the person in class who moans and groans when they are told a due date and have not worked on it! 
4. Don't stress yourself out too much, since senior project is something you chose then you should be so engaging on the topic and be able to have a flawless project. I am sure everyone who has said, "and that concludes my final presentation!" will feel extremely accomplished. Make senior year count!