Real College Life with Aspen | Speech Language Pathology Grad Student, Bolivar Missouri
Aspen is in her second year of grad school studying speech language pathology, doing her final externship with Leigha Morgan at Bolivar Primary School in Bolivar, Missouri, and finishing up her last semester of school ever. She has passed all of her big licensing exams, she is presenting research soon, and she is genuinely, visibly excited about where she is headed.
Her answers are the kind that feel really honest. She admits she is terrible at routines, talks about the pressure of not having everything figured out at 18, and shares a quote she actually lives by when things feel scary. If you are in grad school, thinking about grad school, or just trying to figure out how to keep showing up when you are not sure what you are doing yet, her perspective is worth reading. The lessons of your 20s post on Happyologie covers a lot of the same territory she is talking about here.
Meet Aspen, Speech Language Pathology Grad Student at Missouri State University
What's your name, what are you studying, and what's your current vibe this semester?
I'm Aspen, and I am currently in my second year of grad school and studying Speech-Language Pathology! My current vibe this semester is actually pretty calm (it's usually a pretty stressed-out vibe lol) because it's my last semester of school EVER!!
Describe your ideal studying setup. Where are you, what's around you, what are you using?
My ideal study setup is definitely a student space at the MSU library. You can rent a room to study in, but the whole library has a very chill vibe which is vital for studying. I also really love going to local coffee shops when I'm doing more low-key studying. It's always fun to order a coffee as a little treat once I do a set amount of studying. I usually just use my laptop to review lectures, but sometimes I find it's helpful to write down what I already remember from a lecture in a notebook and then add to it as I review.
Are you a silence person or playlist person when you study?
I have to have silence when studying; my brain can't focus with music! I've always wanted to be able to listen to classical or instrumental music while studying, but I just can't do it!
Snack/drink: What's your must-have study snack or drink?
Definitely some form of caffeine! I usually go for a coffee or an Alani depending on the length of studying I plan to do.
What are you reading right now, or what's a book you always recommend?
I LOVE reading, so I'll give you an answer for both! I'm currently re-reading Interview with the Vampire, which is the perfect gothic romance novel if that's your vibe. I love all genres and love to switch it up book-to-book. I always recommend Weyward if someone asks for a recommendation though. This is one of my favorite books of all time!
How do you plan your week in the way that works best for you?
A physical planner!! I've tried using digital calendars and it's not for me. I plan my week out using my planner and add tasks as the week goes on. I love checking stuff off as I go and it lets me structure my week so there's not too much work on one particular day.
What's one routine that actually helps your life feel more steady?
I'm TERRIBLE at routines! I actually need all the recommendations I can get haha.
What's a habit you need in your life to feel like you?
I set aside time to read each day before bed, and I love that I've picked this habit up! I avoid scrolling on my phone, which is great, and I look forward to this time alone doing something I love.
What do you do when you're stressed but still have to show up?
One of my favorite quotes, even though it's super cheesy, is "do it scared." If I'm feeling stressed or worried about something, I think about this quote, and then I just tell myself that I'm going to do my best, and that's all I can do. It usually works out just fine, and I end up wondering why I was so stressed in the first place!
What are you passionate about?
I'm actually super passionate about the field I'm studying right now! I'm doing my externship right now, and I'm loving it! I'm very passionate about the patients and students that I'm seeing, and I love seeing their progress in each therapy session.
What do you wish you knew at 18?
That you don't have to have everything figured out! There's so much pressure to have a life plan, but it's SO hard when you haven't had much life experience. I wish that I had given myself some grace when trying to figure out my college and life plan.
What are you genuinely happy about right now?
I am genuinely happy about my academic life right now! I have passed all of my big scary exams that I need to graduate and get my license, so it's smooth sailing right now for me! I am also excited about presenting my research soon!
Current song on repeat?
I have two right now that I'm obsessed with! "Porch Light" by Noah Kahan (SO excited for his new album) and "Are You Listening Yet?" by Harry Styles.
Favorite "reset" thing to do?
My favorite reset is actually cooking a really good dinner on Sunday and watching some of my comfort shows before the week starts. I do laundry on Sunday as well, so I feel like it's a good reset and start to the week.
Current fixation — drink, snack, show, anything?
My current fixation is a Caesar salad with lemon chicken. I have made it so many times in the past week, and it's delicious every time! It's a great warm-weather meal, and it's making me so excited for summer!
One thing you're looking forward to this semester?
GRADUATION!! I am so excited that I'm almost done with school for forever!
On Doing It Scared and Not Having It All Figured Out
the thing about Aspen's interview that stuck with me is how real she is about the stuff that usually gets smoothed over. She is a speech language pathology grad student finishing her final semester, she has passed her licensing exams, she is about to graduate and start her career, and she will also tell you straight up that she is terrible at routines and that she spent a lot of time wishing she had given herself more grace at 18.
That combination is kind of everything. She has worked really hard to get here and she is not pretending the pressure was not real or that she had it all figured out. The "do it scared" quote she lives by is not a cute poster caption for her. It is genuinely how she showed up to grad school, to her externship, to the big scary licensing exams. She did it anyway.
Her reading habit before bed is also one of the best non-negotiable habits anyone has shared in this series. No phone, just a book, every night. It is a small thing that has clearly made a real difference for her. If you are looking for ways to build routines that actually hold, the Sunday reset guide on Happyologie is a good starting point, especially if you are more of an Aspen who needs the structure but has to find it in small pieces.
What Is a Speech Language Pathology Externship?
An externship in speech language pathology is a supervised clinical placement that grad students complete as part of their master's program before graduation. It is where the classroom work becomes real. Students work directly with patients or students under the supervision of a licensed SLP, building the clinical hours and hands-on experience they need to sit for their licensing exams and eventually practice independently.
Aspen is completing her externship with Leigha Morgan at Bolivar Primary School in Bolivar, Missouri, working with young students on communication skills. It is the kind of placement that confirms whether you have chosen the right path, and based on how Aspen talks about watching her students make progress in each session, it sounds like she has. Missouri has seen strong growth in demand for speech language pathologists, particularly in school-based settings, and students like Aspen coming out of programs like Missouri State University are well-positioned for that work.
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