Student Spotlight: Heather Graham, College of Health Sciences
The Walden University Writing Center is privileged to work with talented students. In the Student Spotlight Series, we aim to support incredible work our students do, both in and out of the classroom. The goal of the Student Spotlight Series is to provide the Walden community with a place to build bridges and make connections by developing shared understanding of the diverse and varied student journey. Students share stories about their writing process, their efforts towards social change, and their motivations for pursuing higher education. We ask questions, and students generously answer.This Student Spotlight features Heather Graham, student of the College of Health Sciences.
Why did you choose Walden? What drew you to pursue a degree
at Walden?
I chose Walden because I was moving overseas. My husband is
in the Air Force and stationed in the United Kingdom. I needed a school that
could work with my living situation. Also the school offers a military discount
and accepts the use of the Post 9-11 GI Bill. Living overseas has been
difficult at times when trying to communicate with my teachers, however, they
have all been wonderful in accommodating my needs.
 |
| Heather and her husband during their travels. |
What are you passionate about? What are your hobbies?
I am passionate about helping others. I became a nurse for
that reason. I am also passionate about my family, they mean everything to me.
Soon my husband and I will be expanding ours in June. Hobbies, well before moving
to the United Kingdom, I lived in Alaska. My hobbies included snowboarding,
fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. Mostly all the outdoors adventures.
Since moving, my new hobbies include seeing the world! Since living in England
I have traveled to Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Scotland,
and Ireland. I look forward to seeing all that I can while living here. My
husband and I also continue to snowboard, now our hobby is to ride all the
European mountain ranges. So far we have completed Solden in Austria and
Alpspitze and Zugspitze in Germany.
 |
| Heather and her husband on a ski trip |
How have you created a community around yourself in your
program? What do you do to interact with your classmates and colleagues?
After my first semester I learned that there were Facebook
groups for each course I was enrolled in where students communicate with each
other to help with the struggles we have in classes. We help each other by
making assignments more clear or give ideas when we struggle with writing a
paper. Some of the classmates I have personally friended on Facebook and we
will talk about school and life. It is nice to communicate with others and
relate to others in the program.
What are your strengths in writing? What are your greatest
challenges?
Since using the writing center, I feel I have developed a
strength in the flow of my papers. I have made improvements with my use of
commas, semicolons, and colons. I still have a challenge with using passive
voice, however, the writing center has been helping me identify and correct my
errors. They give me samples and resources to help develop my writing skills.
What is one Writing Center service you would recommend to
new students?
I highly recommend using the writing center to have your
papers reviewed. I had been out of school for about 5 years and it was rough
getting back into it. I had forgotten how to write in APA format and struggled
with a few things. The people at the writing center would critique my papers
and help give me pointers and resources to be a more developed writer.
How would you describe your personality to someone just
meeting you?
Sometimes shy at first, but then very outgoing and friendly.
I am an honest person and that can either make or break a friendship it seems.
I like people to be open and honest with me and to tell me the truth. This has
made it difficult moving to another country. I can be very blunt and honest,
but I don’t mean harm. I look at it as constructive criticism. I want people to
tell me the truth, even if they don’t think I would like it. However, once
someone takes the time to get to know me, I can be the best friend they will
know. I am loyal and care about my friends, and I will always have their backs.
How do you hope to apply the work you have done as a student
to the work you will do after graduating?
If I have to write up policies or procedures for my nursing, I hope to use what I have learned to portray myself as a professional and produce professional work. I can use this experience to help me complete research and present it in a way that will be easily understood by others.
If I have to write up policies or procedures for my nursing, I hope to use what I have learned to portray myself as a professional and produce professional work. I can use this experience to help me complete research and present it in a way that will be easily understood by others.
 |
| Heather on the steps of an ancient monument. |
.png)
Never miss a new post; Opt-out at any time
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(
Atom
)
No comments :
Post a Comment