We like to share what we call “snapshots” from time to time, brief reflections from a particular moment of the year in the life of an ESN author or member. We hope these glimpses of God’s work in the lives of fellow academics are encouraging to early career scholars as they navigate the calendar of the academic year and the everyday calling of following Christ in their work and lives. Today we share some thoughts on the end of summer by literature professor Angela O’Neal. You can read her previous posts here. [Read more…] about In June or January: The Myth of Summertime (Summer Snapshot 2018)
Vocational Snapshot
Fall Snapshot: Depending on Christ
This summer, we pioneered a new Summer Snapshot series that shared brief reflections from people in our network on their experience this summer. The series was so well received we’ve decided to expand it to other seasons. We’re delighted to share this Fall Snapshot from an emerging scholar in psychology. Written a bit earlier this fall, this piece is deeply relevant as November busyness takes off.Â
As an aspiring psychologist, I was recently in a training session that taught us how to validate clients’ feelings—to show respect for their feelings, display empathy, and exhibit active listening so that they feel heard. While learning how to empathize with the feelings of others, however, I’ve also been reflecting on my own feelings, especially transitioning into my first year in a Master’s program in New York City. I think one thing I have to learn if I want to survive in graduate school is that I am not perfect, that I don’t always have to get the “right” answer right away, but that I need to have persistence and endurance and resilience. I need to be able to not fall apart when things don’t work out my way right away, and understand that sometimes I make mistakes—I am human, after all. I need to be able to take constructive feedback and grow from it, not just be hurt or oversensitive. [Read more…] about Fall Snapshot: Depending on Christ
Summer Snapshot: Finding God When It’s Tough
In today’s Summer Snapshot, an emerging scholar in our network shares about God’s faithfulness in a summer that turned out to be tougher than expected. Because some details in the post may be sensitive, at the request of the author we are sharing it anonymously, as we often do in similar cases. We are grateful for this very thoughtful contribution to the Summer Snapshot series, and pray that it is a blessing to others encountering challenges this summer. If you’d like to read other Summer Snapshots, you can find them here.Â
I had high expectations for this summer. I was headed for a research internship at a prestigious institution, working in my first-choice lab out of over 100 in the department. I was also headed to the city I most wanted to be in for the summer. Shortly before leaving, one of my friends asked me if I was nervous. Almost immediately, I said, “Not really. I can’t wait.†[Read more…] about Summer Snapshot: Finding God When It’s Tough
Summer Snapshot: Plan Long and Prosper
Tamarie Macon shares today’s Summer Snapshot. You can read her Scholar’s Compass “Navigating the Rapids” series here, and check out other Summer Snapshots here.
I’ve tried “getting my life together†more than once or twice. You too? Often, I begin with a measure of zeal, lit by a fire of inspiration (“Let’s do this!â€) or perspiration (“Things are spiraling out of control – I must do thisâ€). Big hopes and dreams that I will finally become “focused,†setting and meeting goals, achieving balance in my life. And all too often, I would forget about such plans. Or, more perilously, I disregarded such planning as taking away time from the “real work†that needs to be done. [Read more…] about Summer Snapshot: Plan Long and Prosper
Summer Snapshot: The Discipline of Simplicity
Elsie Lee connected with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) at Urbana15, where she served as part of the liveblogging team. See some of her previous work here, and browse other Summer Snapshots here.Â
Two years ago, my husband and I packed our two-bedroom townhouse into my parents’ garage and flew to the U.K. with two bags each. During our postgraduate studies, we lived in a 300 sq. ft. apartment and shared one three-feet-wide closet for a whole year. Aside from traveling and making friends from around the world, we learned a few unexpected lessons which we are trying to integrate into our lives this summer. Simplicity, while dictated by circumstance overseas, has become one of our core values since returning home. [Read more…] about Summer Snapshot: The Discipline of Simplicity