Hola!
My name is Aidy and I’m an incoming MPH student. I’m also a medical librarian, scholar, and higher ed administrator. healthy | scholarly | pursuits is my small corner on the internet where I share my journey as a non-traditional MPH grad student.
I’ve been a non-traditional student since 2007 with gaps in my college journey since 2004. I took my first set of college classes in 2004 and dropped out in 2005 only to return in 2007 as a young single mom and finish with an associates degree in 2008, a bachelors degree in 2011 and my first masters degree in 2014. Ten years later, I’m returning to school to pursue a Masters of Public Health which I applied twice for, got dropped and had to re-apply. Why have I decided to return? I hope to share that in a later post :-). If any of this sounds like your college experience, you are not alone.
About this blog….
So what do I mean by “healthy”?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “healthy” [adverb] as “in a way that is beneficial to one’s health”. When it comes to return back to school, I’ve learned after having secured three degrees, that our health should be a priority, especially when our academic studies become stressful. Going back to school is an opportunity to really pursue my studies differently than before, more sustainably, more intentional, simply…healthy. I also hope to share all that I learn from the “ph” (public health) part of the mph degree program.
What about “scholarly”?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “scholarly” [adverb] as “of, characteristic of, or suitable to learned persons”. Going back to school means that we’re also going to be reading, reflecting, and writing. I consider scholarly or scholarship all of the above. I also believe that we learn best by acquiring and applying knowledge and this word aptly reflects that. I hope to share my scholarly experience, whether these are assignments I’m working on, challenges, successes, etc.
And “pursuits”?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “pursuit” [noun] as “an activity that one engages in as a vocation, profession, or avocation”. This of course wraps up this blog’s purpose fairly nicely. My blog is here to share my journey, ups and downs, about being a non-traditional student, being a scholar while also pursuing my studies, and everything in between. My goal is that I empower and encourage myself and others on a similar journey.
So welcome to my blog, I hope you find it insightful.
To your salud & success,
AW
