Student Blog

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.

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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!

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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!

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Two Letters, One Enlightening Minor ⟩
June 2, 2025, by Cara

Beginnings and Endings Community What are OS/OT?

Though it’s been a few weeks since graduation, I find myself constantly reminiscing. My undergraduate experience was nothing short of exhilarating and transformative. A large part of that was due to being part of the OS Minor. The below is a love letter to the program and everything it gave me. 

Dear OS Minor,

It’s not often you find an environment that makes it worthwhile to show up to class. But you were one of those hidden gems. You arrived when I needed it most, turning the fear that comes with transferring into a sense of community, direction, and opportunity.

The courses themselves weren’t just theoretical — they were opportunities for self-expression, connection, and catharsis. I gained practical skills both for my OT toolbox and to thrive in life. Whether it was intimate class discussions, creative group work to understand OT across the lifespan, or service-learning like beach clean-ups and interacting with shelter animals, I learned to build meaningful connections and approach every space I occupy with open-mindedness, humility, and inclusivity. Additionally, I better understood who I am and what matters to me. Embracing the power of personal narrative allowed me to express my values to inspire others in my community, like Thrive Pod, a newsletter column for USC’s AAPI community, encouraging students to break the stigma and prioritize self-care.

But what truly makes the program valuable isn’t fun, unique courses that merely fulfill credit. It’s the professors, some of the most wholesome and remarkable individuals I’ll ever know.

To the faculty: there will never be enough words to do you justice. From the start, you created a welcoming and nurturing space, where every student was on a first-name basis with you all and going to office hours didn’t feel formal or intimidating. I’ll never forget Ashley’s sweetness and natural talent for breaking the ice, Diego’s childlike energy, Arameh for being the ultimate girl boss, Gabe for being down-to-earth, and Kate who, put simply, is the epitome of “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. Thanks to all of you and the comfort you provided, I found the reassurance I needed that USC was the right place for me, and that I’d be supported with the quality education and support concomitant with my aspirations. 

Besides your personalities, what sets you apart from other professors is the way you constantly enhance learning. It’s not just in your thoroughly written syllabus, but rather through the compassion you give so sincerely and freely. You took the time to understand my interests, offered mentorship, helped me get involved on campus, guided me through graduate school applications, and believed in my potential as an OT. I greatly appreciate your investment in me as more than just a student and hope to embody that same warmth, empathy, and dedication for my future patients.

Oh — and I can’t forget about being an Undergraduate Student Ambassador. From outreach efforts to filming faculty doing the silliest social media trends for recruitment, this was one of the highlights of my time at USC. It gave me the opportunity to give back to the program, promote OT, support prospective students, and become more connected to the Chan OSOT community. To everyone I’ve worked with this past year — thank you for the wonderful memories and friendships.

While part of me wants to freeze time, I’m eager for what’s next. This isn’t goodbye, OS Minor, for you were the foundation for everything to come. Sometimes I wonder what my college experience might’ve been like without the minor, but I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

✌️
Cara

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Burnout to Balance: Revisiting 75 Soft ⟩
May 30, 2025, by Katelyn

Life Hacks School/Life Balance

Hi! I’m Katelyn, a current E-OTD student in her third semester of the program.

Following a ~very~ challenging Adult Rehab semester this past spring (that I will get into in my next blog post), I have the luxury of spending my first summer semester learning more about Mental Health.

The shift from the Adult Rehab immersion to the Mental Health immersion felt dramatic. Each immersion that we take has its own value, similar to how different work settings and clinical sites have different paces. That said, going from 50+ pages of textbook reading, wading through in-depth articles, and weekly quizzes that felt more like exams, to a slower pace in Mental Health, I felt as though I slammed on the brakes when I was going 100 miles an hour.

Honestly, it made me feel restless. I catch myself feeling that I’ve forgotten something important – like a quiz peeking around the weekend. My sense of urgency hasn’t left. In an effort to engage my restlessness into action, I decided to revisit something I tried during my Adult Rehab semester that I had pushed to the back burner when life got overwhelming: 75 Soft.

Before I dive into what the 75 Soft is, I have to introduce you to the 75 Hard. If you haven’t heard of the 75 Hard, the idea was originally coined by Andy Frisella as a “Transformative Mental Toughness Program” specifically designed to emphasize discipline and determination.

Let me tell you, the requirements are absolutely mind-boggling.

• Follow a structured diet
• No cheat meals or alcohol
• Two 45-minute workouts (1 of them MUST be outside)
• Drink a gallon of water
• Read 10 pages of a non-fiction, educational book (no audiobooks)
• Take a progress photo

The challenge lasts a total of 75 days. The kicker? If you fail to complete any of the daily tasks, you start back at Day 1.

While it might sound absolutely wild, 75 Hard has taken social media by storm. I have seen so many people on my feed who are trying it, have failed it, or have finished it. However, the popularity of the 75 Hard has created many spinoffs, one of which is the 75 Soft. In my mind, the 75 Soft is a more manageable and realistic challenge.

At the moment of posting this blog, I am starting Day 12. I tailored my 75 Soft to be reasonable yet challenging. Here’s what the 75 Soft looks like for me.

• 8,000 steps a day
• Workout for an hour 3 times a week
• Increase my protein intake
• Drink half my body weight in fluid ounces of water
• Read 10 pages of any book
• Avoid alcohol except for social occasions

Surprisingly, I have met all of my requirements. Having failed the previous semester, I came into this second attempt determined, hopeful, but wary. However, I have found myself prioritizing this challenge. During breaks and between classes, I walk around the USC Health Science Campus. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of fellow students, faculty, and staff while also achieving my daily 8k steps. Constantly sipping on water, I find myself feeling better: fewer headaches or bloating, and even better-looking skin. I have always heard about the benefits of drinking an adequate amount of water and walking throughout the day. However, having been intentional for almost two weeks now, I see improvements. If anything, I’m disappointed that I see improvements… because that means I’ll have to continue doing it even after the 75 Soft.

The biggest improvement about this challenge, however, would be my mental health. Ironic, because I’m in my mental health semester. But with more thought, it’s fitting. This challenge, paired with a slower semester, has regulated my emotional and mental well-being. Am I completely regulated? Absolutely not. But being able to read a good book to unwind, or to walk around a park after school, has helped me more than I would have ever expected. This challenge has given me the time, space, and excuse to slow down and do the hobbies I find meaningful.

Given my great emotional and physical start to my 75 Soft challenge, I have the full intention of completing this challenge. Maybe one day I’ll find myself embarking on the even greater challenge of the 75 Hard.

I look forward to updating you in my future posts on my progress and completion!

Ta-ta for now!

P.S. My wonderful boyfriend made me this 75 Soft Tracker spreadsheet that is super easy to use! If you find yourself interested in trying the 75 Soft (or Hard), be sure to check it out!

There are helpful notes located all around the Google Sheet that will tell you how to use it. Let me know if you end up starting 75 Soft! I’d love to hear from you! (:

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