Becoming a LIOSian — Helpful Hints

The following list was prepared by students who have already been through the LIOS program. Use the ideas as they apply to you.

Self Care

Use the Systems Consultants! They are helpful in processing what comes up for you during module/curriculum and often give you the opportunity to have the biggest “aha” at module.
Make an appointment with the Systems Consultants when you arrive at module. The schedule fills up fast. (Take your module schedule when you make an appointment, so you can choose what curriculum you’ll miss.)
After 45 minutes, the restaurant staff will start clearing the buffet, assuming that all students have shown up for each meal. Plan your meal times accordingly.
There is a refrigerator in each room at our contracted facilities. Bring any "extras" that you need or want.
On the first morning of module, breakfast is not served at the hotel. Either bring something with you or allow time to go out before you arrive.
Take time for yourself and, perhaps, walk outside during module.
No need to wait for a break. Go to the bathroom whenever needed.
Dress comfortably. Dressing in layers is a good idea because the temperatures vary from room to room.
Headaches, sore buns, and stiff necks are common because of extended periods of sitting and internalizing stress. Consider bringing something that will help be more comfortable. Aspirin, tylenol or ibuprofen have saved many of us from prolonged agony.
Bring things to personalize your room, including your favorite pillow. Some students bring items from their spiritual traditions too.

Nuts 'n' Bolts

Consider making double-sided copies of your papers. Not only does this respect the environment; it’s less paper for everyone to track/file!
Check your mailbox several times a day and before you leave module.
Bring your nametag to each module. It is easy to forget if you take it home with you after module, so between the modules, leave it in your student mailbox. You will also need your nametag to get into meals.
Ask for the best way to contact your faculty leader between modules at your first I-Group meeting.
Keep your class email list updated and be sure to alert classmates and LIOS staff if your own email, phone or address changes. Use the Directory Information form to make changes.
Organize your module notes in a three-ring binder. This makes it easy to three-hole-punch handouts and store your notes together.
Many of us find it easier to use a clipboard with paper to take notes at module.
You do not need to bring all of your books to module; however, it's helpful to bring the relevant ones.
Systems Counseling students must be registered with the State of Washington to start an internship. (You must renew your registration on your birthday, so if your birthday is close to the start date of your internship, plan accordingly.)
Avoid the use of perfumes, colognes and other fragranced products. Some community members get ill when exposed to fragrances.
Additional financial support is available through low-interest signature loans. Contact the Bastyr Financial Aid Office for more information.

Enhancing Learning

Be kind to yourself. It is likely that you will be asked to re-assess past decisions, beliefs and judgments. Pressuring yourself only makes this process more difficult.
Expand your potential to grow by leaving your pride at home. Pride diminishes your capacity to learn. Defending yourself in thought and action and having a negative eye toward others is detrimental to your learning community.
Be willing to admit you don’t know and show the courage to “jump in.”
Let go of ideas you have previously gathered about how education is supposed to be delivered (i.e. information, syllabus, etc). Instead, ask for what you need to avoid frustration. Stay flexible.
LIOS is an open learning system that depends on open participation. Feedback to faculty and fellow students is extremely beneficial.
Pick an orals study partner who may be geographically convenient, but who also demonstrates different strengths.
Study groups can be a very rich experience. Organizing them at the first module is helpful.
Study for your oral exams in the months before your test date rather than cramming at the last minute. The real learning is in the process of preparing for the exams.
Write your papers early so you can contemplate and revise them before the due date.

Vocabulary

FOO—Family of Origin
FIG—Family in Group
Track—Specialty classes you’re taking in addition to the core curriculum
SC—Systems Counseling (this is one track)
CCO—Consulting & Coaching in organizations (this is the other track)
MTP—thesis written by Consulting & Coaching students in their second year
Mod or mini mod—Additional three-day modules for Systems Counseling students
I-Group—Integrative Group: a mix of first and second year students who meet during each module to practice skills and deal with FOO issues as they arise in the present
Pro-sem—Professional Seminar is the group in which the second year counseling students meet to discuss cases from their internship and receive specific feedback on counseling technique
Pro-consult—Professional Consultation is the group in which the second year coaching/consulting students meet to discuss their Master’s Thesis Project
Hooked—Reacting to a situation or person with emotion, including agitation, anger, fear, sadness or shock. Usually related to a former experience that left you with a “button,” wound or trigger
Impact—How something you did or said affected an individual or group. Also called "land" as in “How did that land on you?”
Checking for impact—Asking how something you did or said affected an individual or group
"Skin in the game”—How open, invested and willing you are to take risks during experiential, classroom and interpersonal opportunities
Orals—An exam taken at the end of the year showing you have mastered the key concepts presented in your first year
Systems Consultant—Therapists who are on site during module and provide free sessions to LIOS students. Sign-up sheets are posted at the beginning of module