Student Blog

OT & PT: Same Team, No Games ⟩
June 25, 2025, by Cara

Community What are OS/OT?

One of the most common questions I’m asked at outreach events is, “What’s the difference between OT and PT?” If you’re unfamiliar, there’s a bit of a running joke about the OT versus PT rivalry. It’s something I first noticed while shadowing in an inpatient setting, and now experience personally with my sister, who’s a PT. But what is often overlooked is how OTs and PTs complement each other. So let’s clear up the confusion.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
OT empowers individuals to live their fullest lives by improving the fine motor, emotional, cognitive, and social skills needed to re-engage in everyday activities, or “occupations,” that provide meaning. Whether that’s getting dressed, cooking, socializing, a hobby, working, or self-care. The goal is to find alternative ways to maintain a sense of normalcy and fulfillment when adversity affects how they usually perform these activities.

What is Physical Therapy (PT)?
PT, as my sister described, is about the body’s gross motor skills such as ambulation lifting mechanics and balance. The goal is to reduce pain and injury risk while helping individuals move more freely, which in turn supports their ability to do their occupations.

Simply put, PT gets your body moving again, and OT teaches you to apply that movement towards something functional, like feeding yourself or getting dressed.

How do OT and PT work together?
During my time in an inpatient setting, I often observed OTs and PTs do joint treatments. PT would gently stretch the lower body, while the OT assessed upper body motion and strength. The OT also helped with getting out of bed and personal hygiene, and the PT helped them practice walking and standing. In my sister’s experience working in schools, she partners with OTs to address sensory-seeking behaviors she encounters among students, combining their expertise to provide more holistic support.

OTs and PTs may tease each other, but at the end of the day, there’s mutual respect. While we focus on different aspects of care, we share the same goal: supporting individuals in finding motivation, purpose, and direction in doing what matters most to them. So no, neither profession is “better.” We’re just different pieces of the same puzzle, and it’s only through collaboration that the full picture is complete.

⋯

For the Adult Rehab Immersion, I Recommend Max Assist ⟩
June 24, 2025, by Katelyn

Classes Fieldwork School/Life Balance

Within the USC Chan E-OTD program, each year is divided into 4 different groups (A, B, C, and D). After a gentle Fall first semester to understand foundations, each cohort transitions into one of four immersions: Adult Physical Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Pediatrics, or Productive Aging and Geriatrics. At the start of our second semester, each cohort participates in a different practice immersion simultaneously.

My cohort, Cohort A, started with Adult Physical Rehabilitation, a class known to be intellectually stimulating and engaging. It was difficult. As the title states, I recommend Maximum Assistance. For those unfamiliar, in Adult Rehab, there are functional levels of assistance that determine the level of assistance a client requires. I required maximum assistance from my community to flourish in the class. It is clear that Adult Rehab is a team endeavour, and now that I have succeeded and have had the opportunity to reflect on my time within the Adult Rehab immersion, I am thankful. The Adult Rehab immersion, while stressful, was invigorating. The material was dense, but applicable. The practicums, while nerve-wracking, shaped us to be better future clinicians. It was fulfilling.

50-plus pages of weekly textbook reading, wading through dense articles, and weekly quizzes that felt like exams — I thought I was in a fever dream going 100 miles an hour in my Adult Rehab Immersion. I could never have gotten through the class without my amazing table group. Shout-out to Angie, Maya, Nicole, Noah, and Taylor. I could not have asked for a better group, and I was so grateful to have been able to work with all of you and divvy up each week’s work for our weekly IRATS (more on this in a second). Similarly, I am so grateful to have been taught by phenomenal professors Dr. Carly Roberts, Dr. Samia Rafeedie, and Jane Baumgarten.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty. The Adult Rehab immersion, like all other immersions, is broken into three parts. One day of fieldwork and three 3-hour classes each week: two lectures and one lab. To deepen our understanding of Adult Rehab and promote collaboration, this class uses a Team-Based Learning method. Every student takes a weekly quiz, an Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT), before immediately taking a Group Readiness Assurance Test (GRAT). These quizzes focus on collaboration. My group worked as a team, holding each other accountable and enriching our learning. This ultimately helped us hone our teamwork skills, skills we will later employ as practicing occupational therapists working within a healthcare team.

Lectures were insightful. We learned about case applications, how to write SOAP notes, and how to go about applying our knowledge on amputations, lymphedema, and durable medical equipment, and more at our Fieldwork (FW) Level I sites. I had an amazing experience at USC Verdugo Hills’ outpatient hand therapy clinic. I was able to follow my FW educator and apply the knowledge I learned in class to my time at Verdugo Hills. My FW focused mainly on patients with carpal tunnel, pain in the upper extremity, and also patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer. My FW educator was certified in lymphatic drainage and saw many patients to prevent or decrease lymphedema, typically secondary to breast cancer.

And labs. I loved labs. We had the ability to have hands-on experience on the very things we were learning in lecture. Each class focused on a different aspect within the Adult Rehab curriculum. Some of my favorites were: Standardized Patients: Bed Mobility, Wheelchair Mobility lab with Juan Angulo, and Orthotic Selection, Design, and Fabrication. Each had their own difficulties. The standardized patients helped scaffold our learning. They provided lots of feedback and provided us a safe environment to make mistakes (even though those mistakes felt traumatic at the time!), and subsequently learn from them. While the wheelchair mobility lab was fun, it was also eye-opening. From turning around a corner to propelling yourself forward up a hill, each was difficult and had its nuances. While Juan made it look easy, he made it clear that it came with time and practice.

Finally, fabricating orthotics. This might have been my favorite lab, as I have always loved hands-on crafting. I enjoyed the act of refining my orthotic, focusing on minute details in an attempt to prevent blisters or rubbing against the skin. I felt useful applying my creative side to the profession I love.

Ultimately, one key takeaway from reflecting on my time in my Adult Rehab immersion was the importance of balance. While it is important to learn about spinal cord injuries, wheelchairs, and other things of the like, it was equally important to do meaningful activities. Being completely honest, I found it difficult to find that balance. There were weeks when I felt I was swamped by Adult Rehab and struggled. However, there were other weeks I did better! I took up running and ran two 5Ks in the month of March, I had good food and yap sessions with friends, and I even went to Six Flags!

In the end, I loved my time in Adult Rehab. I am forever grateful for such an amazing cohort and program. I feel like my blog post is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to what Adult Rehab truly entails. Regardless, just remember… take breaks and find balance, even in the hardest of semesters.

Ta-ta for now!

⋯

Becoming in the Space Between: Navigating Life After Undergrad ⟩
June 23, 2025, by Tobechi

Beginnings and Endings

When I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Health Science from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2021, I thought I had my next steps all figured out. The plan was to take the MCAT, apply to medical school, and begin the long but fulfilling journey toward becoming a doctor. But somewhere along the way, I realized that path wasn’t mine. Letting go of that original plan was both a relief and a fear I hadn’t prepared for. The relief came from listening to my intuition. Something inside me knew medicine, in that traditional sense, wasn’t my calling. But the fear? That came from everything else — the pressure of the unknown, the sudden lack of direction, and the uncomfortable silence that replaced the structure I sought out in my day-to-day life.

Before I discovered occupational therapy, I went through a season of feeling lost. I was constantly questioning myself: What am I doing? Where am I going? Did I just waste all this time preparing for a future I no longer want? This didn’t just affect me, but my family as well. My parents had a hard time understanding what was happening. They were worried, confused, and, at times, frustrated. At the time, I saw their reaction as pressure, but in hindsight, I know it came from a place of love — and fear. When someone you care about is stuck in limbo, it’s natural to want answers, even if they aren’t ready to give them. Being on that side of things — feeling uncertain and misunderstood, gave me a deeper understanding of how hard it can be for others to sit with someone else’s unknown. Sometimes fear can lead to urgency, and the people closest to you might struggle to support you when they don’t have control. That experience gave me a new perspective on how complex it can get trying to navigate supporting someone when it can look like there are no clear answers.

I then discovered occupational therapy after completing my first degree, thanks to a family member of mine who was pursuing a PhD in Occupational Science here at USC. That initial exposure led me to explore occupational therapy. The more I learned, the more I felt drawn to the profession. As I became more drawn to OT, I started to feel some relief wash over me. But the next obstacle I faced after finally deciding what I wanted to do was having the courage to share this with my family. At the end of the day, this is my truth — and it always will be. However, opening up about the instability I felt after graduation and presenting a new, unfamiliar plan to my parents made me incredibly anxious. It wasn’t a straightforward path to helping them understand that I was choosing a promising career — one they hadn’t heard of before — but eventually, I got to a place where I could reassure them that I was going to be more than okay.

A quote that really resonates with me when I think about this period of my life comes from Michelle Obama’s Becoming. She writes:

“Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child — What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end.” 
— Michelle Obama, Becoming (2018)

This quote reminds me that there’s no final version of me I must hurry towards. Looking back, I realize that post-grad can be one of the most pivotal times in a person’s life — not just for making career moves, but for becoming. It’s the space between who you were and who you’re growing into. And while that space can feel empty, slow, and terrifying, it can also be the beginning of deep clarity, alignment, and growth. That’s something I now give myself permission to keep doing, even as I grow in my identity as an OT student and future clinician.

⋯

Life at USC! ⟩
June 12, 2025, by Trinity

Community Living in LA

Hey! I wanted to talk about some of the fun things I have gotten up to at USC! There are events hosted by staff and students almost everyday. Since I have been here for over four years, I have gotten to do many wonderful things.

Athletics
Beyond academics, USC is known for its athletics programs. Sporting events are an essential part of being a student here. I highly recommend going to at least one game of every sport. All sports are free to watch for students, excluding football, and even football is much more affordable for students. At USC, I have found how much I love watching sports. I go to every game that I can. The chants and cheers are a huge part of the culture here, and the Trojan Family Spirit is never stronger than at a sporting event.

Football definitely has the most spirited fans, but my favorite to watch is Women’s basketball. Right now, the Women of Troy are making history, and they are so much fun to watch! Soccer and Lacrosse are great too, and we are getting a new stadium soon! Perhaps most iconic is the USC band! They come to every game of every sport, and they always bring the fun. If you are ever near USC, you should definitely try to catch a game. Check out the USC Athletics website for all the details.

Performing Arts
USC also has fantastic performing arts programs. So many students here are incredibly talented, and it is so much fun to get to watch their accomplishments. Knowing I am seeing people who will be famous one day is surreal.

I love to watch plays put on by the School of Dramatic Arts. Every semester, students and staff put on between six and seven productions, and USC students can watch them for a discounted rate. They do musicals too! My favorite productions were Much Ado About Nothing and Rent, but I have not seen a bad one yet. Check out the USC School of Dramatic Arts website for all the details.

There are also productions completely put on by students. Often, they include work written, produced, and directed by students with student actors performing. They are often not as well known as some of the other productions, but they showcase the talents of students at USC beautifully. Plus, most of the time they are free to attend.

The dance program is phenomenal here. They have a showcase every semester, and I truly can’t believe how incredible the students are. It almost does not seem real because they are so good! Check out the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance website for all the details.

One program that deserves more recognition is the Opera. USC holds one opera a semester, free for students and with only student performers on the stage and in the band. For me, going to the opera is a transcendent experience. There is no experience like it! Check out the USC Thornton School of Music website for all the details.

Campus and Student Life
The coolest part of attending all these events is that I also go to class and work with the people involved. I’ve shared classes and made friends with athletes, actors, and musicians. USC is a school full of talent, but everyone comes together in the classroom. Every student matters, and every student is learning along the way.

Beyond these amazing student efforts, there are also events hosted by various student and staff organizations. I have had the incredible opportunity to work as a Resident Assistant for the last two years, so I am privy to some of these fantastic events hosted by Student Life, the residential association at USC.

In my community at Cardinal Gardens apartments, I hosted a make your own stuffed animal event, a board game night, a Valentine’s party, a bouquet making event, and more. These are just a small sample of the amazing events,  and there are many more all around USC. Most of them include food, and all of them include fun! Events are free for students (unless otherwise noted), and they are a great place to make friends. Check out EngageSC for all the details.

USC has a lot to offer in all areas of life for all types of people! I am grateful to have had such a wonderful time here!

⋯

14 days of Summer: An OTD Student’s Summer before Summer Semester ⟩
June 3, 2025, by Az

Beginnings and Endings

Hi! I’m Az and I am a current E-OTD student. To preface this post, I would like to tell y’all about my favorite occupations outside of school. My favorite occupations include hiking, weightlifting, camping, reading, and building model kits and Legos. I am also a huge fan of Star Wars and would like to build the giant Lego Millenium Falcon in the future!

After a whirlwind of finals and finishing up my second semester, I had exactly 14 days to breathe. No studying. No driving in LA traffic. No due dates. Just a quiet 14 days of relaxation and nothing. In this post, I’m going to focus on what I did in my 14 days of summer break.

Right after finals, I drove with my friend Kat to Sacramento from LA. During our drive, I realized that Kat and I did not get the chance to spend time together given our busy schedule and us being in a different cohort. Spending time with her in the car for 6 hours was full of fun conversations and sing-alongs. We got to make a playlist called “A-Z with Az” for the car ride. This playlist is organized alphabetically by song titles.

The first 4 days of my 14 days of Summer was with my friend and spending time up in Northern California. The last time we saw each other was about a year ago and seeing them again in person was such a wonderful experience. While planning for this trip, I realized that both Sam and I love outdoor activities and being one with nature. So, we decided to go camping and unplug from the world. Our campsite is known for its views of the Golden Gate Bridge and The Bay. After getting to the campsite, we unpacked our camping gear and explored a trail nearby. During our walk, we got caught up in each other’s life and was able to walk around together just like the old days.

Our campsite

View of The Golden Gate Bridge

For the rest of my 10 days of break, I recently downloaded an app called StoryGraph where it tracks and focuses on an individual’s reading statistics. Over break, I was able to disconnect from social media and regain my love for reading. I read a total of four books over the course of 6 days and I honestly forgot about how much I loved reading until I got back on it. The four books that I read were The Silent Patient, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, All about Love, and Normal People.

Anywayyy, that’s it for now!

⋯