Student Blog

Transition from Undergrad to Grad School ⟩
November 8, 2013, by Jen

Classes Getting Involved

I had a wonderful opportunity to work at the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy table at the California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education. I enjoyed speaking with all the students who were in the process of exploring what they might want to do after they graduate. This experience caused me to reflect on my own transition from being an undergraduate student to being a graduate student. My undergraduate school prepared me to have a general understanding of multiple subjects from science to philosophy in addition to taking the numerous kinesiology and psychology classes that were required for my major and minor. Now that I am in graduate school, my courses are much more focused on a single topic — occupational therapy. Within the topic of occupational therapy are many sub topics such as: geriatrics, sensory integration, hands, assistive technology, ergonomics, physical rehabilitation, and much, much more!

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Los Angeles: Tales from a (wannabe) Foodie! ⟩
November 4, 2013, by Kate

Living in LA

I love to eat. It is definitely in my top three favorite occupations, alongside sleeping and shoe-shopping. One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is that you have some of the best restaurants and food available to you in one city. Some of the best Mexican food is located right near the University Park Campus. I also love to find new taco trucks; last spring, two of my classmates decided to compare their two favorite taco trucks by creating a social event out of it and asking fellow OT students to vote and declare a winner. Some areas in the city have a specialty cuisine, for example, Glendale is home to many Armenian-Americans and Lebanese-Americans, and you can find DELICIOUS places for Middle Eastern food. Korea-Town specializes in, you guessed it, Korean food, and there are a ton of great Korean barbecue places that are yummy and have a great atmosphere. With all the great options, I have to say that this weekend, I discovered one place with a life-changing pretzel. Yes, a pretzel.

I have never been a fan of large pretzels because I find the salty bread a bit odd to my palate. But, my opinion changed on Friday night when my friends and I went to a new restaurant/bar to watch the USC football game. A friend of mine ordered the “Giant Pretzel,” which I was not too excited about. I took one bite to appease my friend, and I’ve got to say, it changed my mind forever about pretzels. The pretzel was salty and the honey sauce was sweet. Just perfection! I’ve uploaded a picture of the pretzel so you all can ogle over my culinary discovery as well. I think the lesson I learned this weekend was to never judge a food before tasting it, or at least, that not all giant pretzels are created equal. Just another reason why I LOVE LA.

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Unofficial Rose Parade mascot ⟩
October 31, 2013, by Rob

Getting Involved

This past weekend was the Annual Conference for the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) in Sacramento. There were lots of educational seminars, presidential addresses and opportunities for after-hours mingling. For me, the most enjoyable part was volunteering and working behind the scenes.

Helping with registration and volunteers gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of new practitioners and students. I think it always helps to see a smiling face first thing in the morning. That, and a cup of coffee.

I also have been helping promote OTAC’s effort to get a float representing occupational therapy into the 2017 Rose Parade. This is a nationwide movement, spearheaded by California therapists, focused on promoting the profession and making us more “widely recognized” the year in which we celebrate our Centennial Anniversary.

One way that I put my skills to use is illustrated in the picture below. Usually, I am down for just about anything, and that includes putting on a wacky hat and walking around getting attention for the Rose Parade effort. At some point in the day Sunday, a woman came up to me and offered to paint my face. I think she was only half serious, but when I challenged her to do it, she rummaged around in her bag and came up with some makeup and got to work.

The results were pretty spectacular, as you can see. I’d like to think that I was responsible for at least part of the great fundraising we did that weekend. But I wonder if I scared more people away that afternoon?! Happy Halloween!

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I love being active, why don’t I do it more!?!?! ⟩
October 28, 2013, by Ryan

Life Hacks What are OS/OT?

So, I hurt my neck a couple weeks ago. One weekend I dove into a swimming pool, like a fancy diver, and came out of the water with sharp pains shooting down my neck. By the end of the day, I could barely turn my head side to side. I slept flat on my back, waking up every hour in pain if I turned my head while I was sleeping. So, of course, I took advantage of my student health insurance and went to the doctor who gave me a diagnosis of a cervical muscle spasm and prescribed muscle relaxers and physical therapy visits. Well, I tried to make an appointment for PT but couldn’t get in for two weeks!

I had to do something in the meantime, so I put on my occupational therapy hat and thought, ‘What would be best for my body right now?’ Why did I get a muscle spasm in the first place? Is it because I have hunched my shoulders for years whenever I’m stressed? Yes, this definitely could be a contributing factor. Huh, what about exercise?! I am not as active as I used to be. I get so caught up in school and staying on top of my coursework that I quickly take out physical activity. I should know better. Just last year, I was working out three times a week at the gym on campus in the mornings before class, and would share with all of my classmates how much better I felt throughout the day (which includes a lot of sitting in lecture) because of this routine. Also, we have had lectures relating to occupational balance and lifestyle balance, the importance of having a balance between work and play, activities of leisure and activities of importance.

This experience with my neck has reminded me of this importance. I quickly went to the gym the Monday after my neck starting hurting (and after I received my muscle relaxers), and as soon as I did the elliptical (just for 30 minutes, don’t want to go crazy) with some stretching afterwards I felt so much better. And have been continually feeling better! I love working out and being active! I feel so much happier, healthier, and ready to face all the stress that continues to be in my life . . . because I’m in grad school folks! Thank you, occupational therapy, for giving me the tools to look at my life in a better and healthier way!

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Choices, Choices! Aka, “What Electives Should I Take?” ⟩
October 28, 2013, by Kate

Classes What are OS/OT?

During the second semester of our second year in the entry-level master’s program, we are given the chance to take elective courses that spark our interest in the field of occupational therapy. The Division offers a variety of elective courses that provide students with a look into a particular niche. Examples of elective courses that the Division is offering for Spring 2014 include: Occupational Therapy in Acute Care, Sensory Integration Theory, Early Intervention, Universal Design, Hand Rehabilitation, Dysphagia, Lifestyle Redesign® and Motor Control. There are a lot of choices and, to some, it might be overwhelming to decide what to take versus what not to take. If only I could take all of the classes!

I’ve decided to enroll in some of the classes I feel most connected to, including Lifestyle Redesign® and Occupational Therapy in Acute Care. I have applied for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at USC and am very interested in pursuing Lifestyle Redesign® a bit further in order to assist my future clients with changing their habits and routines and positively impacting their own well-being. Furthermore, I am interested in marrying that area of practice with the adult rehabilitation or primary care setting. I feel that by taking these two courses, I can best prepare myself for my doctorate and for my practice.

I’m really excited to dive deeper into occupational therapy and the specific courses that I am interested in. Whenever I think about it, it amazes me how much closer I am to graduating! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by throughout this program. Soon enough it will be a new group of students coming through these doors — maybe even YOU!!! I think the best that I can do is leave a positive legacy for the future USC occupational therapy students!

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