Student Blog
Jodie

It’s That Time of Year Again! ⟩
January 14, 2016, by Jodie

Admissions

Hello everyone!

As you have probably already read from the other ambassadors’ blogs, we are back from our month long winter break! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season with their family and friends. 😂 I can’t believe that this is our last semester before we graduate in May and then complete our last level II fieldwork! It has been very exciting meeting current applicants and prospective students visiting our campus.

I remember when I was waiting to hear back from USC in regards to my admission status, I was so anxious and nervous. I must have checked my emails at least 20 times a day and my mailbox sometimes twice a day (even on Sundays when we don’t get mail! 😮). When I received my admissions letter in the mail, I remember I couldn’t stop crying because this was my biggest dream come true and all the hard work really felt like it paid off. For those of you who have applied to our program and are currently waiting to hear back about your admission status, try your best to just enjoy this time you have now that you’ve completed and submitted your apps. That in itself is such a great accomplishment and you should definitely reward yourself by doing something to relax!

My parents always remind me that “what is meant to be, will be” and I think this is a great motto to always keep in mind, especially when waiting to hear back from schools. Don’t forget that the student ambassadors are always available to you and you can reach out to us anytime with questions or concerns you may have about student life here at USC OT! Best of luck to everyone who has applied to our program! I hope to meet many of you within these upcoming months. 😀

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OT Thanksgiving Potluck ⟩
November 23, 2015, by Jodie

Community

This year our OTSC Social Chairs, Jen and Benz, coordinated the first annual OT Thanksgiving Potluck at school. Both faculty and students brought entrées, sides and desserts to enjoy with each other. As the holiday season is soon approaching, it is important for all of us to give thanks to each other and this potluck was a wonderful opportunity to do so. Here are some pictures from the event!

Thank you again to our amazing social chairs for putting on such an enjoyable (and filling) event!  😊

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One big happy family ⟩
November 8, 2015, by Jodie

Community

As this semester is coming to an end, I have began to reflect on how thankful I am to have such an amazing group of classmates in the program. Even though we are split into three different cohorts, whenever there is an opportunity for everyone to come together, we are like one big family! Yesterday we had our homecoming tailgate with the physical therapy students and it was a ton of fun getting to catch up with classmates, as well as mingle with the PT students. Our social chairs do a wonderful job planning all these events for us to all come together to have a good time. The next division-wide event that we are looking forward to is the OT/PT Forum and our Thanksgiving Potluck! Stay tuned for my next blog with updates from all the festivities!

And most importantly . . . USC won last night! Fight on!

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OTAC Conference 2015 ⟩
October 27, 2015, by Jodie

Getting Involved What are OS/OT?

This past weekend, many of my classmates and I traveled to Sacramento to attend OTAC Conference! As the second-year OTAC student delegate, I was responsible for helping with the student track sessions and as a student ambassador, I volunteered at the OTAC Rose Float booth and our USC Chan booth. Although I had a packed schedule, it was so much fun collaborating with students and faculty from different programs across the state! Some of the student track session topics included: grassroots advocacy training, OTs role in the NICU, stress management and lifestyle balance for OT practitioners, as well as many other exciting topics! As a student attending conference, we were also invited to attend the President’s Reception, where the work of OT/OTAs in pediatric, early intervention, and school-based practice were celebrated. We were also able to explore the Exhibit Hall to network with exhibitors and listen to poster presentations from OT practitioners and students! As a special bonus treat for being a proud Trojan, students were also invited to attend the Trojan Alumni party. This reception was sponsored by our Trojan family and allowed us to network with past and current OT faculty while enjoying some refreshments. Here are some of my pictures from our wonderful weekend at conference!

As always, I hope you’ve enjoyed my blog! 😊

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The Magic Garden ⟩
October 26, 2015, by Jodie

Fieldwork What are OS/OT?

This semester I am in the mental health immersion and my level I fieldwork site, Century Villages at Cabrillo (CVC), is a nonprofit community development organization that delivers supportive services which aim to empower residents, restore health and inspire hope. CVC creates the physical and social conditions where collaborating programs can succeed to break the cycle of homelessness.

At CVC, I help facilitate three groups: walking group, cooking group and garden/arts and crafts group. My favorite thing about this fieldwork site is that I have the opportunity to interact with residents while at the same time, participate in some of my most meaningful occupations. (OT for everyone!) My favorite group that I participate in is the arts and crafts group that takes place in the “Magic Garden” on campus. Residents from all different programs come together to work on different art projects and I always enjoy having the opportunity to learn more about each resident while working on the craft activities in the serene garden.

Many residents on site are veterans and one in particular, who I have had the wonderful opportunity of getting to know more during the arts and crafts group, is a talented artist named Kevin. Kevin served in the military about 20 years ago however, has always had an interest in art, especially painting. While at CVC, Kevin continues to engage in his meaningful occupation and enjoys teaching fellow residents painting techniques, as well as showing off his artwork for everyone to admire. Kevin gave me permission to share some of his artwork with all of you in this blog so I hope you enjoy!

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