Last week I talked about what it means to be a PhD student in the social sciences, and what this stage of schooling looks like. I’ve mentioned before that I am studying health communication, but I find that this term is incredibly vague. Today I will talk about what health communication research is, and what it means to me.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
My second semester of my doctorate program recently began, but instead of talking vaguely about how school is going, and I want to get specific. What exactly is involved with getting a PhD, especially in something as nebulous as communication? When I tell my friends or coworkers or family or people I meet that I’m working on a PhD, I usually get three responses: slight awe for earning an advanced degree, followed closely by thinly veiled revulsion that I actually chose to go to more school, and then confusion: what does a person do to get a PhD.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
For those who have been following, last month I moved to Florida to begin my PhD in health communication. The 1,700+ mile drive across the country was uneventful, which I’m happy with.
And so far, Florida has met or exceeded all of my expectations.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Last week we discussed some things to keep in mind when you go to college for the first time with inflammatory bowel disease. College can be stressful, and it adds new challenges to your health. We’ll continue this week by talking about diet and managing your healthcare.
If you are in college and would like to see another topic addressed, please leave a comment on this post!
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
College is about to start or has already started for many of you, and if you haven’t experienced college yet while having inflammatory bowel disease, pay close attention. College is stressful enough without disease, but by being proactive, hopefully your school year goes a little easier.
IBD can affect your studies in a variety of ways, so this week we’ll discuss talking with your instructors and living on campus.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Today, May 19, is World IBD Day, a day to raise awareness of inflammatory bowel diseases. People raise awareness of digestive diseases in many ways. Some wear ribbons or pins or buttons. Some post messages on Facebook or Twitter. These ways are all great. Some of the best awareness raising, though, happens in everyday conversation.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
When I started this series of semester updates two years ago, I was hoping to say in this entry that I was done with four semesters of graduate school, and had zero left to go. That’s changed, partially. I have completed my master’s degree in communication, but next fall I’m continuing my studies in a doctorate program in communication. That means at least three more years of school on top of the 19 years I’ve already completed!
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
A few weeks ago we posted this video giving the children’s perspective of living with IBD. This next video, also from the Children’s Hospital Boston, provides some great tips about going to school when you have IBD. This is especially valuable for kids through high school age.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
For those of you who are going to school or college, IBD University has a video up about dealing with school and IBD. I missed school because of flare-ups so knowing how to talk to your teachers or professors goes a long way in making sure school isn’t an additional point of stress for you.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
