I had the weirdest long day today. So many college classes, so much emotion! It was my turn to lead our seminar class, and I brought up inter-cohort communications as my topic. We used to have these amazing dynamic class discussions, but this semester has been pretty flat. People are stressed, vibes are negative. We can do better than that! So I had the group do a freewrite and read-around, voicing their concerns and frustrations. In a class of 19, I made 7 people cry. And also I cried. But we moved through the awkwardness and emotion, and came out with a renewed collective commitment to pumping each other up. There was a lot of hugs, a lot of apologizing and clarifying, a lot of agreeing to be more present and invested in our group health. I feel so fried now, but also really hopeful. School has not been much fun these last couple months, and I think this conversation has the potential to really turn things around. I love my cohort, and I want our connection to be strong and clear.
Sorry for the very specific, probably boring to you entry. Here are some fun things:
* I am unwinding after my cathartic day by eating Doritos and watching TV with Steve and Rebecca. ANTM. Nacho Cheesier. Ganja. It’s so good.
* Every time I had a break from class today I checked my email and found a new message from my friend giving me awesome links to Bruce Springsteen info and nerdy LOST trivia. So nice. It was like being fed York peppermint patties all day long. Yum.
* Dave Longstreth is in town, and I was lucky enough to eat pizza with him this evening. I love that man. Nice man.
*I talked to my mom after the crazy seminar and she gave me nice new age advice on group safety and dynamics. Think placing worries in baskets. That’s what I’m talking about.
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i predict that your group cry will make things only better. ridiculous anecdote: my senior year in high school my dance team was in a rut. one day instead of having regular practice we sat in a circle and everyone vented. many cried. it brought the team closer and relieved stress for the remainder of football season. you can also propose a chant of “good better best never let it rest until your good is better than best!” although i was never sure that worked.
nice to find someone else who doesnt mind crying in public!
I can’t wait to get far enough along in Lost to get trivia. You’re great at leading groups and tapping into people’s emotions; I think that’s why people love you.
What are you majoring in?
I’m getting my Masters in Teaching.
My block (cohort) is also really tense in our second semester. It’s almost as though people are done being nice – we did that last semester! You could come and make us cry; maybe that would help. I’d cry. I’ve been teary this week.
I don’t foresee a similar emotional phenomenon occurring in my secured transactions class, although we could use it…i’m in my 3rd year of law school and it’s getting pretty rough. What’s up Willow? I went to LC with you and was known to hang out in your dorm freshman year. Remember me?
Jeffy-Jeff!
I have been thinking of you recently! I was going to put your name on my next “people I’d love to catch up with” entry. Law school, huh? Where? You should email me- wonderwillow@gmail.com and fill me in!
Basketball rules!