Student Blog

Beside the Mahjong Table ⟩
September 19, 2025, by Makayla

Community Diversity

The sound of shuffling tiles intermingled with various exclamatory shouts has become synonymous with my memories of family gatherings, as the game of Chinese Mahjong has been an important pastime of mine throughout my childhood. I was often surrounded by this game during these family gatherings, where I would find myself sitting on a miniature stool beside my mother, playing amongst my relatives, fascinated by the quick plays before my eyes, and subconsciously picking up the rules and method of the game. For my family, Mahjong is more than a meaningful activity; it is a generational occupation that contributes to our overall well-being and supports resilience against cognitive decline in older generations. While I hadn’t fully understood the realization at the time, the game of Chinese Mahjong has allowed me not only to grasp my native Chinese roots but also to learn valuable lessons about the art of strategy and calculation applicable to the present, changing world, which requires both to navigate uncertainty and make thoughtful decisions.

Mahjong is an intellectual activity involving four players sitting around a square table who must draw and discard tiles to arrange them in a “perfect” set. One must complement their hand of tiles while memorizing the tiles discarded by their opponents to strategically form special sequences essential for a win. Though simple in explanation, it is complex in playing, as players must take calculated chances on possible risks or play defensively so that other players cannot win.

I often questioned why the older generations of my family were so devoted to this game and what exactly was the fixation that drew them to return to the game every waking moment of our family gatherings. The placement of a single tile can alter the course of the game and the strategies of the opposing players. You must be mindful and strategic in your intentions, since your actions have consequences not only for yourself but also for those around you, requiring full concentration on your own set while remaining aware of the tiles desired by other opponents and those being circulated in the game.

While Mahjong may seem like a leisure activity or family pastime, it is an effective intervention that occupational therapy practitioners may use when supporting healthy aging across the lifespan. The game of Mahjong is not just an activity that sustains social engagement but also serves as a means to alleviate depressive symptoms of older populations in addition to empowering individuals to regain or maintain the ability to stay cognitively engaged. Unique to Mahjong are strategies that require players to integrate working memory, attention, logic, executive function, and intrinsic motivation in ways that complement one another. In doing so, Mahjong provides protective factors against cognitive deterioration while also fostering self-efficacy that contributes to a positive outlook on aging. What began as a family tradition has become a powerful reminder that our personal and cultural identities can shape effective, health-promoting interventions using occupations as both a means and an end goal.

While I am still quite a beginner at this game, I see life as a parallel to Mahjong, as life changes with every move, sometimes as a result of others’ actions or even of your own doing.  Sometimes you must be patient for the serendipitous moment when you find the tile you need to complete a winning set. Other times when the odds are against you, it is important to be cautious in compromising, but when you can’t, you shouldn’t for the sake of protecting your own tiles to win. Mahjong is a metaphor for life; one must take what life throws at you, just like receiving a set of undesirable tiles, to adapt quickly and uncover advantages hidden within setbacks. There is no perfect round or just one strategy to win.

And perhaps that is the draw of the game — because it is so difficult to master. It takes years of experience, a good grasp of body language, and a command of the Chinese language, coupled with a dash of good luck, to be successful.

Every time I return to play Mahjong at family gatherings, I have begun to understand why this activity was more than just a game to me. Looking across the table, I have come to realize the shared bond with my family that not many people can replicate. As a non-native speaker of Chinese, the game of Mahjong has brought me closer to my culture as well as my grandparents. While we are engaged in deep concentration and contemplating strategies in Mahjong, I have recognized that this game forms its own separate language to converse through, strengthening my bonds with my grandparents and relatives while also helping to keep their minds sharp.

As an aspiring occupational therapist, I imagine one day drawing upon my own personal experiences and applying these principles to empower the growth and support the development of the future patients I work with. When I am older, I will congregate at my own mother’s house, where relatives and different walks of life will come together over the game of Mahjong. And this cycle will continue for generations beyond my time.

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How I Muster Up Motivation On The Days I Have None ⟩
September 11, 2025, by Katelyn

Life Hacks School/Life Balance

There are mornings when I just wake up on the wrong side of my bed. Brushing my teeth feels like I’m running a marathon, and my to-do list glares at me menacingly like a villain. These are the days that I feel like my motivation somehow took an unexpected vacation, and I am left trying to drag myself through the day. While I desperately want to curl up in my warm, cozy blankets and have them ward away responsibilities, I do my best to fight back.

This is especially true now that I am in my second year of the E-OTD program. I juggle many roles and responsibilities, from being a Student Ambassador, serving as president of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), working at the HSC gym, to making time to network. On paper, it looks like a lot.

I used to think that my lack of motivation on some days meant I was lazy and unproductive. But over time, I’ve learned that motivation isn’t meant to be constant. It’s not a random magical spark that appears daily. Rather, it’s something that is to be created, nurtured, and sometimes borrowed.

Here are some tips I have learned to help me get motivated:

• Start Small - When I think back to when I was working to understand motivation, I find some of these “small tasks” embarrassing and can’t help but laugh. Some of my personal favorites were “just sit in the chair,” “just put on your socks,” or “just turn on the computer.” While they felt like embarrassingly small tasks, they helped me kickstart my engine. Sure, my engine would sputter, stall, and maybe end up with me back on my bed (or sometimes on the floor), but all I needed was that one good crank to get momentum again.
• Enhance Your Environment - Once kick-started, I’d continue my momentum forward by changing my environment to be engaging. For me, that looked like lighting a candle, putting on some calming music (looking back, upbeat music worked better to keep me awake), or moving around the house.
• Reward Yourself - After I’ve set myself up for success, I’d reward myself. This is where it can get a little dicey. Rewards encouraged motivation, but the wrong ones could kill it. I discovered the perfect reward for me was chocolate or something sweet. If I tried a show, my phone, or other forms of screentime, I’d slip down a never-ending rabbit hole of doomscrolling. So remember: reward yourself early on, and find out what reward works best for you and your motivation!
• Borrow Energy From a Friend - Sometimes, all of these tips won’t work. That’s okay! It’s okay to ask for help. Some days, I simply don’t have the energy to generate motivation all on my own. On these days, I call my boyfriend or chat with a friend. Borrowing their energy, even for just a quick moment, to jumpstart my day when my own spark was missing worked like a charm.
• Reframe Your Thinking - In my opinion, this was the hardest part of finding motivation and meaning. It’s easy to think “just get this done” or “get this finished so I can do something else.” Instead, reframe it as “I’m building the skills for the work I want to do.” As an Ambassador, I remind myself that every tabling event or conversation helps me represent the program I believe in. As PTE president, I see each meeting as a chance to foster and lead the community. At the gym, I remind myself that supporting others’ health aligns with my own values. And networking provides me with leadership and professional development. Tying each of these responsibilities helps me transform the things just “in my calendar” into meaningful steps towards the kind, professional person I want to be.

It’s funny. Only now, as I write this blog, do I realize I employed Occupational Therapy (OT) tactics and thinking on myself. Breaking down into smaller steps, changing my environment, or even finding meaning in what I’m doing all mirror many core principles of OT. I guess in a way, I’ve become my own client.

Reflecting now, I realize this is why I love OT so much. OT isn’t just about the clinical settings; it’s about everyday life. Everyone has those days where motivation feels out of reach, but OT gives us the tools to adapt, create, and reconnect with what matters. I hope to continue to take the lessons I learn myself to my future clients.

So, if I caught you on a day that you feel like doing nothing, know that you aren’t lazy or broken. You’re just human. Start small, be kind to yourself, and remember that even the tiniest, most embarrassing step forward counts.

Ta-ta for now!

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Joshua Tree and Me: My Hometown Vacation ⟩
August 14, 2025, by Trinity

Community

Hello! My name is Trinity, and I think one of the coolest things about me is that I am from Joshua Tree, California! It is basically a part of my personality at this point. Coming from a small place like Joshua Tree to a big city like Los Angeles has been an interesting experience, but both places are beautiful in their own way. For context, Joshua Tree is about 2 and a half hours from USC. It is a popular weekend trip destination for many USC students for camping, rock climbing, and vacationing. I definitely recommend going if you are at USC or in the area! Most people in Los Angeles go to Joshua Tree to get away from the hustle and bustle. That’s true for me too, but it’s pretty neat that one person’s vacation can be the same place I call home!

When I tell people where I am from, they almost always ask, “What did you even do out there?” This is totally valid honestly because if you have ever driven through Joshua Tree, you probably got the feeling that you were on another planet. We don’t have much, just a few restaurants and grocery stores. But we do have the second largest national park in California, and that makes it pretty special.

Some of my favorite activities to do in the national park are hiking, camping, and scrambling. You can find a lot of cool places that you don’t have to pay too much to explore, such as Black Rock or Indian Cove. My favorite hike in the national park is called 49 Palms Oasis Trail. If you want to check out this hike, make sure it is open! It closes after big storms and in the summer. Other hikes that are easy are Barker Dam, Black Rock Canyon, and the Mojave Desert preserve nature trail.

There are cool sights that you can drive to as well, such as Skull Rock. Even just driving through the national park is a great way to spend the day.

If you do end up coming to Joshua Tree, the night sky is worth staying overnight for. The one thing I miss more than anything else is seeing stars! And while you are there, try to catch a sunset or sunrise. They are unmatched!

As for food in the Joshua Tree area, there are some iconic ma and pa shops that are a must visit. Joshua Tree Saloon, right next to the Joshua Tree souvenir shop, is one such spot. I also like Frontier Cafe and Pappy and Harriet’s. I really recommend buying from the local businesses if you can!

Some other classic must dos in Joshua Tree are the Farmers Market, the swap meet, the sound baths, or the many children’s playgrounds all around the area. Air BnBs are a huge part of the town as well. Joshua Tree is really for those who want to relax, get in tune with nature, and leave the world behind for a while.

If you do come visit, please treat Joshua Tree with kindness and respect the locals who love it enough to take care of it for the long run. The ecosystem is fragile but so very special. There is really nowhere like this wonderful place, and I hope you can see the beauty in it if you go!

I used to wish that I could be anywhere else, but now that I don’t live there anymore, I just can’t wait to go back home to Joshua Tree.

 

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My Summer Reading Picks ⟩
August 7, 2025, by Cara

School/Life Balance

At the start of the year, I made a resolution to read more – at least one book a month. A couple of years ago, I bought two trending books, but they ended up just sitting untouched on my desk. Between school, work, and extracurriculars, I rarely found the time to sit down and read.

This year, however, I made it a priority to set aside time to read. As a result, I’ve read 8 books between spring and summer. Each one has left me with something valuable –  whether it was a new skill, a life lesson, stress management tools, or better self-awareness. If you’re looking for something new to read, here are some I recommend. 

1. The Comfort Zone by Kristen Butler

This was one of those books I bought years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t ignore it any longer. It challenges the common belief that we need to step outside of our comfort zones to thrive, and instead argues that your comfort zone is the powerhouse for growth. Inside your comfort zone, you can focus on your strengths and passions, boosting both motivation and confidence. That doesn’t mean never stepping out, just doing it thoughtfully so you adapt without stress. Simply put, setting small achievable goals. The diagrams, mindfulness exercises, and journal prompts included throughout the book not only helped me retain the concepts but also gave me tools to refer to whenever I find myself outside my comfort zone.

2. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

 

Part of what drew me to this book was its funny title, but also its focus on communication and personality types. It classifies people into four colors – red, yellow, green, blue – which represent different ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving, reacting, and being productive. The main takeaway is that if you want to connect better with others, you need to adjust how you communicate based on their style, not just your own. It really helped me recognize my habits and the ways in which I interact with others, both personally and professionally.

3. Dharma Is Everywhere by Revs. Bob and Patti Oshita

 

I grew up Buddhist, and this book is a collection of messages from two retired reverends at my church, shared during their time serving the California State Assembly. Being away from my local temple, this book has given me a comforting sense of home. I could picture myself seated in the hondo (main hall), surrounded by the sweet fragrance of burning incense, with my head bowed, eyes shut, and hands pressed together in reverence for the reverend’s speech. Each message is heart-felt and thought-provoking, and I often return to certain ones when I’m facing situations similar to what Rev. Bob and Patti experienced, using their reflections to help me find a solution.

4. The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

 

I’m halfway through this book, and I like that it’s written as a discussion between a philosopher and a young man, which makes me feel like I’m right there listening to their conversation. It breaks down theories from Adlerian psychology and focuses on the notion that we aren’t trapped by our past but shaped by the goals we pursue. So far, it’s helped me realize how much I’ve let others’ opinions affect me, and why it’s important to stay true to myself.

Taking the time to read has cultivated a lot of meaning and self-growth for me. I hope one of these books can do the same for you. Happy reading!

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Practice Immersion Edition: Shifting from Pediatrics mindset to Geriatrics mindset ⟩
July 29, 2025, by Az

Classes School/Life Balance

Hello! In this blog, I wanted to talk about navigating and shifting from the pediatrics mindset from Spring semester to the geriatrics mindset for this semester. There are a lot of switching gears and understanding two opposite populations’ perspectives and goals in their activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

To begin, my first immersion at USC Chan was in pediatrics. Right after winter break, I was a little nervous and excited about starting my pediatrics immersion and learning about the unique aspects of children. Throughout my Spring semester, I experienced a hands-on experience that helped me understand the different types of clinical correlates that is relevant to the pediatric population. In labs, we were taught about dysphagia, holding babies, writing, and different assessments to use depending on the age group and the domain of the assessments. It was a fun immersion and allowed me to connect with my friends in the cohort. Shout-out to my friends Sam, Lilia, Aliza, Shanan, and Haeun.

In Geriatrics, I quickly realized that the use of universal “we” is not as common as it had been in pediatrics. This shift challenged my communication style within the older adult population. Moving away from phrases like “Let’s do it together” and “we are going to [activity]” mindset to a more client-centered and individualized approach that fits the older adult population.

During my first standardized patient in geriatrics immersion, I found myself using the universal “we” when I instructed them to do the activities in a sequential order. It was a clear understanding that there are different approaches that are needed for different populations. Transitioning from a pediatric to a geriatric mindset has been a challenge and I am eager to learn more and expand my understanding of occupational therapy in this population. Below is a picture of me during a small group lab for assistive technology for low vision individuals.

Anyway, that’s it for now 😊

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