Right now, it’s you
and a pile of books. A
busy schedule with
a doctor’s physi-
cal, CPR class and
immunizations,
and lectures and
labs. Supplies of a
more esoteric na-
ture - compression
stockings, scrubs,
comfortable shoes,
when before it was
just pencils, pens and
paper. Maybe you’re even thinking about surgical caps
and ID badge holders.
Your time now is in even more need of organiza-
tion and delegation. Classes, reading, homework,
lab hours, all of these aspects are giving way to real
clinical hours. Of course there’s still the part of your
life outside of this new academic endeavor to consider
as well: kids, friends, husbands, wives, that cute gal or
guy you met the other night, work, that book club you
love. None of it stops just because you have this huge
new commitment in your life.
What you might find though, is that the connec-
tion to all those other things and people starts to
stretch and others may not completely understand
the importance of what you’re going through. It is easy
to be overwhelmed and feel isolated all at the same
time. However, it’s important to take note of this and
not allow yourself to burn out. Our profession tends
to put us in our own little world. The most common
response I have received from friends and family is,
“Wow that’s so amazing. I could not imagine doing
that.” While it’s nice to get the compliment, it’s nice
to be understood by others dealing with the same
stresses. Reach out to the CSTs and students around
you. Your fellow students are a great resource for study
groups and support. Who else can better understand
what you’re going through?
You and your fellow students are the AST Student
Association. You and your fellow classmates are the
future of the profession. These peers are going to
be your future professional colleagues, and you can
begin to get involved in your profession now through
ASTSA.
Involvement is up to you. You can start by forming a
club with your classmates. This club can fundraise and
petition for school funding so that you and your fel-
low peers can attend AST’s Student Day at its annual
national conference. This club can also prepare and or-
ganize study groups and other extracurricular activity.
Your time as a student is going to be the result of
whatever you put into it. Sometimes, there’s so much
going on that having clean laundry and mac ‘n’ cheese
feels like an accomplishment, which there’s nothing
wrong about. It won’t always be so overwhelming.
Whether it’s studying, assisting fellow classmates or
reaching out nationally, the energy you put into your
involvement as a student will produce results and the
connections you make will help you sustain through
difficult times. When you’ve graduated and become a
Certified Surgical Technologist, you’ll have a chance
to use that perspective and experience to help fuel the
next stage of your career.
A Complimentary Quarterly Publication from
AST for Students of Surgical Technology
AST
SA STUDENT
ASSOCIATION
Association of
Surgical Technologists
Setting the Stage for Your Career
R e b e c c a N o e , C S T , A S T S A P r e s i d e n t
N E W S
Summer 2014 Volume 21 Number 1
Sound Advice from AST’s Facebook Page
Cover Letter Tips to Help Land That Interview:
Formatting, Listing Achievements, Providing
Information
Useful Information on How Students Can Take
Advantage of Financial Assistance Opportunities
INSIDE
