As I enter my fifth week of the Laidlaw Program, I have learned a lot about the importance of self-discipline. In leading my research project, I am responsible for creating an internal accountability model, which consists of setting smaller checkpoints for myself to complete the parts necessary to finish my paper by the ultimate September 1st deadline. My mentor and I decided to meet twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, so I can have an outside reminder to stay faithful and committed to my weekly agenda. 

I have also learned the importance of adapting to change and knowing when is the right time to abandon an old idea for something new. For my research, I am interviewing CUNY community college students of color and CUNY community college transfers to a CUNY 4-year college— student groups with whom I do not have a personal relationship. What has made my recruitment process especially challenging is the fact that all CUNY colleges are on summer break now, and the transfer student support centers I contacted about survey distribution said they could not help me until the fall. However, when I realized my recruitment strategy of reaching out to on-campus centers led me to a dead end, I pivoted to cold emailing upwards of 70 professors teaching summer courses at any CUNY community college or 4-year college. I am happy to say that 16 professors have agreed to inform their summer classes about my research, and four students have emailed me about their interest in participating. 

Overall, my time with Laidlaw has given me a widened perspective on the frustrating side of data collecting in research, especially qualitative data that requires interviews. I am very thankful to my mentor for helping guide me through this major change in my recruitment strategy, but I am so happy with how I have seen it pay off.