Student Blog
Beyond Ergonomics ⟩
January 16, 2013, by Kendra
And let the semester begin!!!
So far this week I have attended Motor Control, Ergonomics, and Lifestyle Redesign and they are all fascinating courses. I am especially excited about Ergonomics, aka ‘the science of work.’
When we think about Ergonomics, we typically think of having a computer workstation designed to best fit your body so as to limit repetitive stress fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome and many other work related chronic injuries.
And while this is a perfect example of Ergonomics, its application is in everything we do, every move we make.
What especially surprised me was our professor telling us how the disks between our vertebrae begin to deteriorate by our 30s. People this is crazy! I’m nearly 30 and determined to have a life filled with adventure and the freedom to move and explore the world as I see fit. As you can see below, sometimes I just have to play on the monkey bars, and it is MUCH harder when you’re adult sized, so I want to minimize my risks as much as possible.
Another thing that blew me away was how typical movement can negatively impact our body. Let me explain. We all know to ‘lift with your knees but not with your back’ but what we don’t consider is how simple movements like bending over to plug in your phone or twisting to reach a paper or high five a friend can damage your vertebral disks. The professor explained it further, that while these movements may be harmful we do them because it’s the most efficient form of movement. So how does one find a happy medium? The best answer is always, always exercise, diet, and be kind to your body.
I’ll keep you posted as I learn more!
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Welcome back! ⟩
January 16, 2013, by Paula
Community Living in LA School/Life Balance
It is a bit scary how quickly 4 weeks can go by — especially when it is the last time that you will have no obligations for an unforeseen period of time. After a month of break, we have all returned to the Division here at USC and are settling into new class and work schedules. It has been great to see everyone again! Some congratulations were in order for classmates with exciting news from the break — engagements, OTD residency decisions and summer fieldwork placements. Each of the professors I have had class with thus far have commented about how close we all seem, since it is very difficult to quiet the chatter and hugging at the beginning of a new class. I guess it goes to show what happens when you throw 100+ OT students into an auditorium.
Over the break, I had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends. Many adventures were had and I was happy to play tourist in my hometown for a while, going sight-seeing in San Francisco and other Bay Area cities. My sister was gracious enough to allow some friends and I to use her home as our own for a weekend so we were all able to try out “city living” for that period of time. Definitely a highlight of my break — what a wonderful, beautiful city. I was also able to spend a fair amount of time in San Luis Obispo (my favorite non-home location, as many of you know) :]. It was great to relax there with friends and see Occupational Therapists who I had the opportunity to work with prior to entering this program.
The break was rejuvenating, restful and full of new memories, just as I had hoped it would be. I did find myself anxious to return to school, who wouldn’t be ready to kick off the LAST semester of graduate school?? I look forward to the electives which we have the opportunity to take this semester as second year students. I have chosen to take the SI, motor control, hands and dysphagia courses so you can bet that I will be sharing my experiences with all of you!
Enjoy this snapshot of my time spent over break!
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Health and Wellness ⟩
January 16, 2013, by Alisa
I just came out of the Lifestyle Redesign class, and I enjoyed it! During my time as an undergraduate, I had my first exposure to Lifestyle Redesign, working as a student worker at the USC Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice, but I never truly understood what it was all about — or what happens behind closed doors. With the class that I’m taking, I’ll get a rich experience of what Lifestyle Redesign is all about. It is based on practicum, lecture, guest speakers, and observation hours. By the end of class, our instructor, Dr. Dieterle said that we’ll be able to implement similar programs such as weight management, pain management, diabetes management, et cetera. I have always been drawn to health and wellness at a young age. When I was 13, I created an incentive workout program for my family: every 30 minutes on the treadmill equals to 1 raffle ticket, and by the end of each month, we would raffle off prizes! I remember how much fun it was and how my family would line up to use the treadmill. I even committed to using it every day for a month, and I was able to improve my mile time by a minute. Those were the glory days. Now, I enjoy hikes, yoga, and Zumba. As a resident advisor I try to plan programs that involve health and wellness as well from hikes to time and stress management workshops. It is my passion to work in this field, and I hope to own my own health and wellness center some day. 😊
The greatest wealth is health — Virgil
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Happy New Year ⟩
January 14, 2013, by Amber
Today is the first day of the Spring Semester — the last semester of my Master’s program. I cannot believe how quickly the past year and a half has passed. It’s incredible to think that in a few short months I will be graduating and on my way to becoming a certified occupational therapist. It has been a long and challenging journey, and one that I have chosen to continue. Over the break I committed to continuing my education by entering the doctorate program next year. I am excited for what the next two years will hold!
My holiday break was full of fun and family. I had several items on my to do list, and as predicted I only accomplished a few of them. However, I did catch up with dozens of friends and family, and traveled to Oregon, Nevada, and Northern California. It was wonderful to see people I haven’t seen in years, and know that they haven’t forgotten about me since my move to Southern California. Here are a few photos from my holiday: cuddling a newborn lamb in Bodega Bay, my Grandpa’s farm in Oregon, visiting the Oregon coast, and my baby nephew in San Jose.
Happy New Year everyone!
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Returning to school ⟩
January 11, 2013, by Kendra
Happy 2013 blog readers! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday, I know I did! Below is a picture of my husband and I freezing our bums off in the Pacific Northwest!
But now it’s back to life, back to reality, and back to school. This semester will be unlike any I’ve had so far. The final semester of the MA OT program is when we get the opportunity to begin specializing and focusing on different practice areas. This spring I’m taking Ergonomics, Dysphagia, Motor Control, and Lifestyle Redesign. Each, I believe, will allow me to be a better applicant and employee for working with adults in acute care or outpatient care.
While it is very exciting, it is also terrifying. It’s as if when the ball dropped in Times Square to welcome in 2013, an alarm clock went off in my head screaming ‘real life, real career is coming, be prepared!!’ I feel this tension has settled over me and my peers as we take the final classes and final steps towards becoming certified occupational therapists. And as we near the finish line the alarm clock screams questions: are you sure you want to work with adults? You are so good with kids! Are you sure you want to learn Ergonomics what about Sensory integration? Where do I work? What setting? What side of town? It goes on and on and on.
These same questions overwhelmed me when I was in undergrad, but then I did not have the faculty and peer support and information to help me make smart choices. I know, despite the panic, that I will be supported as I make my first steps as an OT. Yet another reason why I love this school, they prepare me to be a great OT on paper and in person.
That being said, the alarm clock still chimes, but this time I’ll funnel that panic into productive preparation!
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