Student Blog

Am I ready? ⟩
April 24, 2013, by Kendra

Getting Involved Living in LA

Last week while busily adding my part to crazy long study guide for our comprehensive exam in two weeks, it dawned on me: I’m graduating from OT school next month.

After having to take a series of deep breaths to get my heart rate back to normal I asked myself, am I ready to be an Occupational Therapist?

Good thing I was working the OT booth at the LA Times Festival of Books the next day or I may have spent my weekend submerged in graduation themed anxiety. At the booth we had several different stations: Sensory Integration, Lifestyle Redesign, Low Vision, and Stress Management. Each of us was so busy unpacking supplies, it felt it was a matter of minutes before people started arriving asking us questions about stress, relaxation, anxiety, depression, the list goes on and on.

Here I surprised myself again, I was able to answer their questions! Not just that but I felt confident in what I was saying, that what I was telling them was based on research and facts and information I’d learned in OT school.

Suffice to say, I slept easier that night with the faith in myself that not only am I ready to graduate with my Master’s in Occupational Therapy, but that I am well informed and prepared to be an effective, insightful therapist.

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Swim With Mike ⟩
April 23, 2013, by Paula

Community Getting Involved

Earlier in the month, I joined a group of fellow OT students in participating in Swim With Mike (SWM), an annual swim-a-thon held on the USC campus to raise funds for the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. SWM began in 1981 at USC to raise funds for an adequately equipped van for Mike Nyeholt, a three-time All-American swimmer who was paralyzed from a motorcycle accident he had survived earlier in the year. Greatly moved by the generosity and enthusiastic support of his teammates and friends, Mike used the excess funds to create the scholarship fund at USC and it has now grown to support students across the nation. I encourage you to read more about the history of this great event.

Growing up as a swimmer, I have had ample opportunity to participate in swim-a-thons but I have never experienced one quite like SWM. Because this was the 33rd year that the event was held at USC, there was a certain challenge suggested among the OT and PT students and faculty to form relay teams and have a representative swim for 33 consecutive hours. The turnout for our group was great, with a consistent flow of OT students, friends and supporters. We also had a lane designated right next to our PT friends so that made for good company in the odd hours of the evening/morning. I swam from 4AM-6AM and was so taken by the number of swimmers in the water, and happy to be there! There was a little boy, maybe 10 years old, who was so excited to jump in and start a swim set — it was only 4:30AM! The rest of the participants and volunteers started trickling in to set up for opening ceremonies and welcomes (for the people who swam at normal hours) ;] and it was so exciting to see how involved and enthusiastic everyone was for the event. The entire USC swim team was there right as I left, ready for their SWM practice. The sense of community was so strong throughout the event and I feel that this event is something which I will remain close to in my years as Trojan alum. Way to represent OT, everyone!

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CicLAvia ⟩
April 23, 2013, by Alisa

Getting Involved Living in LA

It’s my first time participating in CicLAvia! On Sunday my friend and I biked from USC to Venice Beach. The city blocked off the roads, so I didn’t have to worry that a car was going to hit me. In total I rode 22 miles on a mountain bike. I couldn’t even run a mile. I couldn’t believe myself, and I was more impressed that my bike made it. We were among 150,000+ people who participated in this event. I remember growing up as a child, I was the first among my siblings to ride a bike (and hit the trash can because I didn’t learn how to apply my breaks), but I remember loving the feeling of the breeze hitting my face, especially at night. My friend graciously carried her pump and put airs on my tires, and it worked miracles on my bike. I’m so glad I did it. It’s something I never thought I could do since I haven’t biked in a very long time. It’s one thing off my bucket list. The next CicLAvia event is on June 23, 2013. I might be hitting the roads near you! Watch out!

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Accessibility at Disneyland ⟩
April 23, 2013, by Alisa

Diversity What are OS/OT?

Last week my uncle and his family came to visit from Thailand. It was their first time in the United States. I had an eye-opening experience to begin to understand what it was like to live with a T4 spinal cord injury. I was playing tour guide for some of the days. At Disneyland the accommodations were spectacular. They have done a good job in making most of the rides accessible for people using wheelchairs. I had my handy dandy Guide for Guests with Disabilities. We went to Indiana Jones, It’s a Small World, the Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyager, Star Tours, Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Innoventions, the Haunted Mansion, Mickey’s House. While some of the rides didn’t require my uncle to transfer, many of them required transfer either to a higher seat or to a lower seat. My uncle thought that at times he was just going to wait for us, but I insisted that his son and I could lift him. He was able to enjoy all of the same rides with us, and I thought that this is how everywhere should be. I didn’t see my uncle as a person who is disabled, but the environment made him that way. I thought about universal design and the importance of making all spaces accessible for everyone. I appreciate the fact the guide provided a description of where the accessible entrances are located. During lunch we saw a Jedi Training Academy workshop for kids, and I also got to learn more about what it’s like to live with a spinal cord injury for over 20 years. He knew I was studying to be an occupational therapist and even offered himself as a case study. After I took them to get jelly beans and dinner at Rainforest Café, I dropped my uncle and his family off at the hotel exactly at midnight. It was a Cinderella story after all.

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Trojan family for life ⟩
April 19, 2013, by Kendra

Community

Recently I was taking an admitted student on a tour of the Health Sciences Campus, and she came prepared with a list of questions, one of which was, “I heard the culture at USC is eat or be eaten, is that true? What’s the student culture like?”

I’m not sure who told her this, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact the students at USC are one of the reasons why I love this program so much!

While in the program you will spend 3-4 days a week with the same group of people. You will go through the highs and lows of Graduate school together. You will create programs, projects, and presentations together. You will cry and laugh and celebrate with your peers. Never once have I felt competitive with my classmates.

In fact my MA-II class consistently blows me away with their support. It was my peers that nominated my community program for a community service award, not an instructor or dean. And it was my peers that came together one day to support another student undergoing chemotherapy.

Occupational therapists are generally happy, empathic people. We live our lives working with other people, collaborating and sharing intervention strategies and new research. We do not exist in a bubble. Not OTs and not USC students.

When I think of the students in my program, I do not think of competition, I think of family. I think of a safe place to go and learn, to try new things, to challenge yourself and have fun while doing it.

Do these cats on “arbitrary coordination day: hats” strike you as cut-throat? I hope not!

The saying is true: when you go to USC you’re a member of the Trojan family for life.

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