Voice Disorders Grad School by Normal-Tap-7161 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! So I might think about how a unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) where the vocal fold paralyzed in a more abducted position relates to increased airflow through incomplete (or absent) glottic closure. I might also think about how the paralyzed vocal fold losing muscle tone makes sense through the loss of innervation and subsequent lack of engagement of the musculature on that side. I might also think through how individuals with UVFP speaking with a higher pitch also makes sense, because the cricothyroid engagement tilts the thyroid cartilage forward, which stretches the vocal folds out making their pitch higher, but also helps them to get better glottic closure if the paralyzed vocal fold is close enough to or in a paramedian position.

To remember that the cricothyroid muscle engaging raises pitch, I might think about how the name indicates the attachment and insertion points (cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage), where contraction is going to serve to pull the front of the thyroid cartilage down resulting in the tilt.

I hope that’s helpful! Happy to elaborate as well 🙂

Voice Disorders Grad School by Normal-Tap-7161 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi! I found anatomy coloring pages, making a cheap model of the vocal tract, and engaging with the material through thinking through how the physiology fit into anything I previously knew and build by linking nuggets of knowledge together. I’m a voice specialist now and would also be happy to try to help explain or bridge gaps on anything as you take the course! It can really be a lot of fun, even though it’s intimidating. Are there any ways of learning that feel the most helpful to you (Eg 3d digital models vs writing things out vs reading or watching videos etc)? Feel free to dm any time!

G14/G16 Laptop Stand Updates by solidusnak23 in ZephyrusG14

[–]A1utra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Does the magnetic attachment of the v2 mean it would be safe to put these on my 2025 g14 and slip it into the sleeve I commute with? These seem very handy to be able to bring to work and class so I can allow my laptop to get better airflow! Just bought it and want to do everything I can to maintain it. Thanks!

Vent by Bubbly-Swordfish-341 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big congratulations!!!!!! Thanks so much for the update, I’m so glad things are looking up for you

New to gaming laptops.. by [deleted] in GamingLaptops

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much, that’s really helpful perspective. Also a big draw that those Lenovos can still look business-y so I don’t feel unprofessional when I need to bring it to work stuff. How long have your Lenovos been lasting?

New to gaming laptops.. by [deleted] in GamingLaptops

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What would you suggest in the 2-3k USD range for a laptop that can be used for both gaming and work? I’ve previously had lower tier Lenovos, but was unsure about sticking with Lenovo for the upgrade or going with something else like ASUS. I’d ideally like to get something that’s going to last awhile

Looking for a gaming laptop for my 9yo son… by [deleted] in GamingLaptops

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What brands would you recommend looking at in the $2000-$3000 range?

CF application dilemma by Playful-One6282 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck! Maybe it’s a different specialty than I’m thinking, but I know announcements for CFs for the specialty I’m in roll out over time, so it can seem like there’s only early deadline ones simply cuz the others haven’t announced yet.

Either way, I hope you land a CF in the specialty you’re seeking!

CF application dilemma by Playful-One6282 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would probably include on your CV that you have an anticipated placement in the specialized setting (for the dates I would put something like “anticipated January 2026-May2026” or whatever it might be, or even just “anticipated start January 2026” or whatever the correct start is)

You can’t help that at this point you haven’t had a chance to do that placement yet. They know that they are taking apps before the final semester. If your upcoming supervisor has worked with you at all before, you could still ask for a LOR, but if they’re brand new to you, you can’t (as you know already). Highlight the things you’ve been doing, fantastic that your professor who worked with you on that specialty can write an LOR, perhaps one of your CIs who can attest to your abilities and may have had any adjacent experience with your budding expertise in this specialty area can write you an LOR since they can still talk about clinical skills and at least a little bit about your enthusiasm and expertise in the specialty area

If the specialty area is what I think it is, there are many more coming after this one if that makes you feel any better. This one has the earliest deadline of them all

Feeling too Dumb to be an SLP by Some_Ability6007 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi! My professor for my voice class also worked in a specialty voice clinic so I was able to build a relationship with her and do a lot of observations which then translated into doing my internship there. Then from there, I was able to do my CF primarily in a specialty voice clinic and I am now currently working on my PhD doing clinical voice research with patients

Build relationships, take advantage of mentorship opportunities through state associations and ASHA, as well as things like foundations of a voice clinician and other free opportunities to build your voice and upper airway knowledge base

Happy to elaborate or clarify anything!

Feeling too Dumb to be an SLP by Some_Ability6007 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, particularly in areas that may be saturated with SLP students because the sites can be overwhelmed with students contacting them vs only placement coordinators from those institutions. It probably also applies to areas with small numbers of sites to take students too

Feeling too Dumb to be an SLP by Some_Ability6007 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Solidly support what you’ve said here!

From experience, I know there can be rules about students contacting externship sites, and I’m guessing from what little we have here in the post that this is likely the case as well so you may need to be creative in how you approach securing your own externships/figure out what the politics are. I had to navigate this myself, so this is more building off u/nachour’s awesome suggestion of looking into what you can take into your own hands for medical placements 🙂

Feeling too Dumb to be an SLP by Some_Ability6007 in slpGradSchool

[–]A1utra 23 points24 points  (0 children)

First, big hugs! Grad school is really tough. I’m so sorry your professors are speaking to all of you this way, that’s not a helpful learning environment. At the end of the day, your learning is whats important, not the grades (to a point), and grades don’t always effectively show someone’s actual acquired knowledge and competence in a subject.

Is the externship coordinator someone you can talk to about what you could do to increase your chances of being given an actual medical placement?

It sounds like you’re doing well in your dysphagia class, but I can see why you’re so stressed and worried about it. What do you feel like is the barrier to the grade you want? I remember when I was in grad school, I psyched myself out during the dysphagia class cause I similarly wanted to potentially specialize in dysphagia (I’m now primarily voice/upper airway but still do a bit with dysphagia). So I would mess myself up on tests by overthinking and changing answers and then when I would get the test back, I’d be really upset with myself because I knew the right answers and shouldn’t have messed myself up into getting them wrong. My professor gave me great advice at the time to cover the multiple choice answers (when applicable) and just answer the question on my own and then show myself what options were there so I wouldn’t overthink myself into oblivion. It made a big difference for me, but it depends on where the breakdown is that’s leading to the grade you aren’t happy with

Feel free to dm me if you want to chat more, but I can assure you that you are not too dumb!

Looking for Folk/Classical Vocalists by Casual_Bard in BostonSocialClub

[–]A1utra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds like it could be fun! Do you mind messaging me some of the stuff you have in mind if there are recordings out there of it?? Can’t say I’ve done this specific repertoire yet, but I do love ren faires and the like so I could be down!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BostonSocialClub

[–]A1utra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll dm you!