Student Blog
Day In the Life of an Undergraduate BS-OTD Student Vlog ⟩
December 10, 2024, by Avery
Classes Community Getting Involved Living in LA School/Life Balance Videos
Join me as I take you through what a typical day looks like as an undergraduate student in USC Chan’s accelerated Bachelor’s to Doctorate program in Occupational Therapy! One of the things I love most about this program is the balance it allows me to strike between my occupational therapy (OT) courses, engaging electives, general education classes, extracurriculars, and free time.
From participating in enriching clubs and student organizations to spending quality time with friends and exploring the vibrant city of Los Angeles, I’m able to enjoy a well-rounded college experience while still focusing on my OT studies.
As always, if you have any questions about the BS-OTD program from an undergraduate perspective, feel free to reach out!
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Connecting with OTs ⟩
November 16, 2024, by Kimberly Rochin
Let’s face it: occupational therapy is an incredible field that’s evolving and expanding daily. The beauty of OT lies in its versatility, allowing therapists to address patient needs at every life stage and in almost any environment. Yet, with so many specialties and settings, it’s hard not to feel a bit of F.O.M.O.
That’s where building connections comes in. Networking with other professionals in the OT community can open up insights that enrich our learning. I’ll share practical tips and strategies for connecting with professionals that worked best for me!
1. Do Your Homework
Before reaching out, take a few minutes to learn about the person. Knowing a bit about their background and interests shows that you’re genuinely interested and can help you connect more meaningfully. Some great platforms are LinkedIn, the individual’s affiliated organization (for example, clinics or hospitals), or even just a quick Google Search. You don’t need to know ALL the information about them; you can just bounce back from a few pointers.
2. Be Intentional
Make your outreach purposeful. Think about what you hope to gain from the connection (e.g., insight into a specific setting or advice on a skill), and communicate that. By practicing intentionality, you are respecting the recipient’s and your time!
3. Email/Point of Contact
Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted email! A friendly, concise message can open doors to meaningful connections. Remember to introduce yourself and be clear about why you’re reaching out.
Example outreach email
4. Be Okay with ‘No’ and Flexible with Schedules
Professionals are busy, so don’t be discouraged if someone can’t meet immediately. Respect their schedule and offer alternative times. Patience and flexibility go a long way in showing your appreciation for their time.
5. Scheduling
Offer specific times you’re available to make scheduling easier. Once you’ve confirmed, show up on time and bring prepared questions. If you’re juggling multiple meetings, use a scheduling tool to streamline the process. It keeps things organized and helps you avoid double-booking — showing that you value their time and your own. I use the “Appointment Schedule” feature on Google Calendar. Not only does it make scheduling easier, but I have also received several compliments about my organization!
6. The Meeting . . . OooOOoo
There’s no need to be nervous; just relax and enjoy the conversation! If you’re meeting virtually, ensure you’re in a distraction-free environment with reliable internet and present your best self. I find it helpful to jot down a few bullet points of topics I’d like to discuss; keeping them brief ensures the conversation feels natural (remember: it’s not an interview!).
If you’d like to take notes, let the professional know beforehand. This way, they understand you’re focused on the conversation and aren’t multitasking. Small steps like these can help create a comfortable environment for a productive meeting.
7. Follow Up with a Thank-You
Always follow up with a thank-you email or note. It’s a simple yet impactful gesture that reinforces your appreciation and can leave a lasting positive impression. If you would like to continue connecting, indicate that in the email.
8. Final Thoughts
While these tips have worked well for me, remember that each connection is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Building meaningful relationships in the OT community takes time, patience, and a willingness to adapt. Be open to learning from each experience, and don’t be afraid to try new approaches. So, go out there, make connections, and enjoy learning!
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My OS Minor Recommendations ⟩
November 13, 2024, by Cara
Classes Life Hacks School/Life Balance
Spring course registration is already underway, and if you’re still on the hunt for classes to fill up your schedule, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re considering a minor in OT or just looking to create a healthier and happier lifestyle for yourself — here are my recommendations.
OT 101: Caring for Your Self: Engaging in Healthy Habits and Routines
OT 101 is all about YOU! This course helps you learn about self-care practices to incorporate in your everyday life, like mindfulness, setting goals, and time management. Throughout the course, I was paired up with another student for weekly meetings where we reflected on our self-care experiences and feelings. Sometimes we did activities together, like yoga, drawing our breath art, or eating. It was a great experience that helped me improve self-awareness and also built a lasting friendship. Since taking this class, I’ve realized how self-care is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for overall wellness. I’ve noticed improvements in my productivity, calm mindedness, and greater self-acceptance by making time for myself. College can often feel like an endless race where we neglect our health and personal needs, but taking time for self-care can make all the difference.
Me and my partner, Mahalia, doing yoga!
OT 251: Across the Lifespan: Occupations, Health, and Disability
In OT 251, I learned about how people grow and change as they go through life and how this affects the activities they find meaningful. We explored human development by looking at different factors like biology, psychology, society, and culture, and how these all connect to shape what people are interested in and value in their lives.
What made this class really fun was the emphasis on building a positive and engaging learning community through peer learning. I often worked in groups on case studies, role-played different stages of development, and did discussions where my group mates and I reflected on our development and how it affects what we do. I really connected with my peers through both our shared experiences and differences, deriving new insights on how development is nuanced. And I still keep in touch with them to this day!
At the end of the semester, my group and I, called the “OT Wellness Wizards,” received the award for “Middle Child Energy.”
OT 340: Animal and Human Interconnection in Daily Life
If you love animals, OT 340 is a must! This course explores the relationship between humans and animals. I learned about K9s, therapy dogs, foster animals, among many others. Occasionally, some furry friends came to visit too. As part of the course curriculum, I spent 8 hours interacting with animals to further understand how humans and animals affect one another. I volunteered at a local shelter, walking German Shepherds for two hours each week. The experience was rewarding, teaching me about humility, compassion, and loyalty. I also found it amazing how animals still love us no matter how we treat them, and continue to persevere to live a better life than before. If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will!
These courses are just a taste of what the OS minor has to offer, and I encourage you to consider them as you finalize your spring schedule. They will deepen your understanding of both yourself and others while providing practical skills you can apply in your everyday life. Check out our other OS courses here!
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Taking my first exam, more than a decade later ⟩
November 12, 2024, by Tanya
Beginnings and Endings Classes International
The anxiety that hit me on the morning of my first exam in a long time was one I had not experienced, one that felt so foreign. Perhaps it is because I was not used to it as it has been a while, and not to sound dramatic but it felt worse than going for a job interview or presenting in front of a large audience. Everything felt so uncertain and unexpected, and I, as a person who valued control and preparedness, felt quite lost and nervous.
Even the platform that the exam was on seemed foreign, with the entire exam being digitalized. This is a stark contrast from the days when my biggest worry was that I had multiple sharpened 2B pencils to shade the correct option in a multiple-choice exam. I was amazed that the paper could be downloaded before the commencement of the exam, and the exam software came with tools such as the highlighter and timer visible on your screen.
I was overcome with a sense of relief mixed with anticipation of how I performed once I saw the green screen notifying me that the submission was successful on my screen.
After my first Sensory Integration mid-term exam — taken with permission from Dr. Gunter upon submission
Given the option, I would have much preferred to have written a paper instead, as this would have allowed me to weave in my thoughts and opinions supported by evidence. When I reflected on the entire experience, I would say my anxiety stemmed from the unfamiliarity of the advancement in technology as well as the entire examination process that felt so foreign rather than the actual content. And this was yet another way for me to learn how to adapt to changes and move with the times.
If you have not been on the academic journey for some time, here is what I did to help deal with these changes. It did not remove the nerves completely, but it helped me settle into it faster.
1. Having stationaries that help with note-taking
If you are like me and prefer to organize and write down notes on paper to visualize the information learned, it will be helpful to bring some writing implements or sticky notes that you are used to back home.
Some of my writing implements that I brought over from Singapore
2. Follow your usual sleep pattern
Hearing some of my classmates share about the later times they sleep and how they feel more efficient or productive, made me consider this choice and attempt it. I usually head to bed by around 11 pm and decided to try staying up till 1 am. Sad to say, this was counterproductive, and I was less efficient and felt even more lethargic over the next 2 days. Know your body system and do what is best for you, you do not have to change your routines despite adopting a new role.
3. Enjoy leisure amidst the exams and assignments
Along with midterms also come assignment submissions, this can be a lot, and you may feel overwhelmed by it. It may feel that every minute should be channeled to studying or reading another article, however, engaging in leisure does clear your mind and refreshes you. It is the little things that can have a greater impact.
Here is a picture of my housemates and I enjoying the brownies that we baked. It took longer than expected but it allowed us to chat, laugh, and relax while enjoying the process.
4. Planning ahead to ensure you have sufficient groceries
I usually travel on the bus to get my groceries over the weekend, as it is nice to browse and select my items. However, it can be a little time-consuming when it is ‘crunch time’ due to the additional time spent on commuting. It is helpful to plan and purchase additional groceries with a longer shelf-life to last for the upcoming week. Another helpful way is to purchase your groceries online. There are various stores online, such as Instacart, Weeee, etc that are helpful when other factors are deterring you from going out.
5. Be a little more courageous
That’s what I tell myself when I do not understand the concepts or have questions about the topic being taught in class. It could be my personality or how I am used to academic lessons back home that make it more challenging for me to ask questions. However, I would encourage you to raise your hand and ask, or go to an office hour appointment to clear the doubts that you may have. If you don’t, the person that is at the losing end will eventually be yourself. As they say, knowledge is power, so do not leave the module with an unanswered question.
Despite various deadlines that you need to meet, it is important to stop and pause, and also look at your surroundings as you commute on the shuttle bus or to your apartment. LA has very beautiful sunsets and skies, but you will miss it if you are just focused on thinking about your to-do list.
Sunset on the way to an evening class
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A Story You Won’t Forget ⟩
November 8, 2024, by Mason
College admissions can be stressful, in fact when I think back about my high school years I can say without a doubt that the college search and application process was one of my most stressful moments. One of the hardest parts about it, at least for me, was the sheer number of people telling me different things to focus my energy and attention towards. I had my parents whom I desperately wanted to make proud, my older sister who was already succeeding in college, high school ‘college counselors’ who thought I shouldn’t tunnel vision my aspirations solely on occupational therapy, and of course all of those supposed “admission experts” on youtube describing ground breaking news on how to get into a top school. Everyone always had something to say, some magical advice, and having to sift through all of it was exhausting. College applications often force you to define yourself in a few short pages, and I for one was often left feeling inadequate putting my whole life down on a page.
A little about me, I had the privilege of earning a paid work study job at USC’s Office of Admissions. There I served as a student ambassador and tour guide for all 4 years of my undergraduate education. There were many great benefits and takeaways from my experience in the position, but for the sake of staying on topic I will stick to what’s relevant. Across my years in the role I was able to work directly under several fantastic admissions counselors who not only acted as my bosses and mentors, but also openly shared with me an honest window into the college admissions process at USC. My supervisors were some of a large number of USC counselors who directly read applications and played a key role in the admissions process. I cannot speak for other universities, but I think the most interesting thing I realized throughout my time learning from them is how human the college application process really is. When you are in high school and applying to these big trailblazing universities it’s easy to forget that at the end of the day there is a human being reading your application. A real person who feels, empathizes, and hopes to connect with each and every student they learn about. When any of my co-workers or myself would ask our supervisors what is the best advice we should give to prospective USC students on an application or college essay, they would always tell us the same thing:
Tell us a story we won’t forget.
So what is my magical advice you might ask? What secret golden ticket am I offering to you today. The best advice I can give to anyone about applying to USC or any college for that matter, is to be your most honest and authentic self. It’s so easy to get swept up in the narrative of trying to make yourself into a person that college’s “want” to see. Whether it be through the extracurriculars you engage in, the classes you take, or the essay you use to paint a picture of yourself, let your true narrative and story guide your application. If you take the time to create something that reflects the beauty and passion of your unique human experience I guarantee you it will stick with a person better than trying to model some unattainable paradigm.
My favorite thing about occupational therapy is that each and every patient you see has a different story, a different meaning that they derive from the activities that fill their life. Let your meaning shine through your work, and always remember that there is never just one path to your future goals. If the first path you choose closes, take a deep breath and head down the next one that comes your way.
That’s all for now, and Fight On!
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