Student Blog
School/Life Balance

Food for Thought ⟩
February 21, 2025, by Cara

School/Life Balance

First, it started with cookies and cupcakes. Next, banana bread. Then a peach galette, lemon bars, pretzels, scones, more cookies, and bagels. Like many during the pandemic, the kitchen was my escape, using carb-heavy and sugary treats to detach my mind from the stress around me. Since then, baking has become my go-to form of self-care, and here’s why I think it should be yours too.

Baking provides a creative outlet

Whenever I’m baking, I can’t help but pretend I have my own Food Network show. Most of my creations turn out both edible and delicious, yet the process to that result isn’t always as seamless as the celebrity chefs make it look. But that’s what I love about baking — the unpredictability. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or not, no two outcomes are ever the same. From substituting ingredients to adding mix-ins or salvaging a failed dough — it all makes something uniquely yours. After all, perfection is overrated, and the most memorable treats are often the ones where we accept things as they are and allow ourselves to get a little messy along the way.

Baking promotes mindfulness for both yourself and others

We’ve all heard about the benefits of mindfulness — how it reduces stress and improves happiness. Baking provides those same benefits. It forces you to be present and attentive by engaging both your senses and body. For example, measuring or inhaling the lovely aroma as it bakes is therapeutic, encouraging you to not go through the motions to feel more connected to what you’re making. Additionally, consider how mixing the dough not only brings everything together, but also serves as an outlet to release frustration. I notice that my nerves and racing thoughts dissipate when I’m fully immersed in the recipe, and I feel a greater sense of peace and accomplishment when I see the final dish.

What also makes baking more restorative is that recipes are meant to be either baked together or shared with others. Everything I learned about baking, I learned from just being with my mom and grandma in the kitchen. I always enjoyed hearing how the recipes we made were a continuation of traditions. Moreover, no matter the occasion, dessert serves as the catalyst for connection. It’s comforting to connect with friends and family over something yummy while reminiscing about our days and sharing a few laughs. Plus, it’s all the more fun and rewarding when there’s a team challenge involved.

Baking provides a sense of purpose

The heart of baking is giving. Whether it’s sharing something you made, recipes passed down through generations, or creating lasting memories.

In many cultures, food is the concrete manifestation of love. It’s not about expecting anything in return; it’s the sense of helping in some way. There’s an incredible satisfaction from seeing people enjoy the fruits of my labor, knowing it offers them comfort, uplift, or a sense of being appreciated. Simply put, making others feel good makes us feel good. As they say, “sharing is caring”, and that’s the kind of thing that strengthens our relationships, and, in turn, enhances our well-being.

Here’s a few of my favorite recipes for when you’re feeling overwhelmed or looking for something new to try. Happy baking!

• Chocolate chip cookies, from Broma Bakery
• Thumbprint cookies, from Preppy Kitchen

You’ve Met Your (Banana) Matcha Loaf from Mind Over Batter

A whole book talking about baking as therapy! Jack Hazan, a psychotherapist and baker, shares recipes to support different needs — whether you’re feeling anxious, in need of connection, or practicing self-care. He also includes affirmations, mindfulness exercises, and baking tips. See the recipe below!

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Day In the Life of an Undergraduate BS-OTD Student Vlog ⟩
December 10, 2024, by Avery

Classes Community Getting Involved Living in LA School/Life Balance Videos

Join me as I take you through what a typical day looks like as an undergraduate student in USC Chan’s accelerated Bachelor’s to Doctorate program in Occupational Therapy! One of the things I love most about this program is the balance it allows me to strike between my occupational therapy (OT) courses, engaging electives, general education classes, extracurriculars, and free time.

From participating in enriching clubs and student organizations to spending quality time with friends and exploring the vibrant city of Los Angeles, I’m able to enjoy a well-rounded college experience while still focusing on my OT studies.

As always, if you have any questions about the BS-OTD program from an undergraduate perspective, feel free to reach out!

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My OS Minor Recommendations ⟩
November 13, 2024, by Cara

Classes Life Hacks School/Life Balance

Spring course registration is already underway, and if you’re still on the hunt for classes to fill up your schedule, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re considering a minor in OT or just looking to create a healthier and happier lifestyle for yourself — here are my recommendations.

OT 101: Caring for Your Self: Engaging in Healthy Habits and Routines

OT 101 is all about YOU! This course helps you learn about self-care practices to incorporate in your everyday life, like mindfulness, setting goals, and time management. Throughout the course, I was paired up with another student for weekly meetings where we reflected on our self-care experiences and feelings. Sometimes we did activities together, like yoga, drawing our breath art, or eating. It was a great experience that helped me improve self-awareness and also built a lasting friendship. Since taking this class, I’ve realized how self-care is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for overall wellness. I’ve noticed improvements in my productivity, calm mindedness, and greater self-acceptance by making time for myself. College can often feel like an endless race where we neglect our health and personal needs, but taking time for self-care can make all the difference.

OT 251: Across the Lifespan: Occupations, Health, and Disability

In OT 251, I learned about how people grow and change as they go through life and how this affects the activities they find meaningful. We explored human development by looking at different factors like biology, psychology, society, and culture, and how these all connect to shape what people are interested in and value in their lives.

What made this class really fun was the emphasis on building a positive and engaging learning community through peer learning. I often worked in groups on case studies, role-played different stages of development, and did discussions where my group mates and I reflected on our development and how it affects what we do. I really connected with my peers through both our shared experiences and differences, deriving new insights on how development is nuanced. And I still keep in touch with them to this day!

OT 340: Animal and Human Interconnection in Daily Life

If you love animals, OT 340 is a must! This course explores the relationship between humans and animals. I learned about K9s, therapy dogs, foster animals, among many others. Occasionally, some furry friends came to visit too. As part of the course curriculum, I spent 8 hours interacting with animals to further understand how humans and animals affect one another. I volunteered at a local shelter, walking German Shepherds for two hours each week. The experience was rewarding, teaching me about humility, compassion, and loyalty. I also found it amazing how animals still love us no matter how we treat them, and continue to persevere to live a better life than before. If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will!

These courses are just a taste of what the OS minor has to offer, and I encourage you to consider them as you finalize your spring schedule. They will deepen your understanding of both yourself and others while providing practical skills you can apply in your everyday life. Check out our other OS courses here!

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How to Find Scholarships (yes, you qualify!) ⟩
November 5, 2024, by Avery

Admissions Life Hacks School/Life Balance

Let’s be honest — education is expensive, especially at USC. That first time you open your financial aid report can be scary and overwhelming. The weight of potential debt and student loans is daunting, and for many of us, staying in school requires tough sacrifices and working multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

One thing that many students don’t realize however, is just how much free money is available to them in the form of scholarships! I’ve heard it all:

“Oh, I don’t think there’s a chance I would actually win the scholarship.”

“I didn’t realize that I qualified!”

“Wait, I didn’t know this many scholarships were out there!”

“I don’t want to take the time to apply when I could be doing other things or just working a job instead.”

In reality, there are numerous independent organizations that WANT to give you their money so that you can pursue your education. Sometimes, it just takes a little digging to get there! I’ll be honest, taking the time to write the essays, figure out the deadlines, and get letters of recommendation is time consuming. This can feel overwhelming and exhausting, especially with the constant demands of schoolwork as a full-time student. However, at the end of the day, the rate of return on these awards is HIGH. Let’s say you spent 3 hours applying for a $500 scholarship. That equates to earning over $160 an hour. Now imagine if that is a $1,000 application? $5,000? It quickly begins to feel like the time applying for scholarships is being much smarter spent than working a few extra hours at a minimum wage job.

So, where to start? I like to begin by researching scholarship opportunities specific to the area where I am from. While many of these local scholarships are only available for high school seniors, I was really surprised to find out my freshman year that quite a few of them have money available for those already in college as well. These awards are great as they are designated only to a specific area or field, meaning less people can apply = you have a better chance of receiving the money.

Now let’s look towards USC specifically. To begin, when applying to USC (undergrad or OT school), be sure to hit that November 1st EA deadline so that you can be considered for the large merit-based scholarships that are available.

The Chan website has links to resources of external scholarships. The list is long, which means there have to be at least a few you qualify for. My advice is to open a Google Spreadsheet, make columns to label the due date, amount, name of award, link, and basic things needed to apply (essay, letter of rec, transcript, etc). Then, go through every award and add any to your spreadsheet that you meet the criteria to apply to. This will keep you organized and will help to not let any deadlines sneak up on you.

Chan has a page with resources for their internal scholarships. Add these to your spreadsheet as well.

USC also has several scholarships for those engaged in unpaid research. Check out Dornsife’s SOAR-SURF-SHURE scholarships, as well as Chan’s Occupational Therapy Student Research Fund. These can be incredible opportunities to learn and be involved in something that interests you academically, add to your professional resume, and get ‘paid’ simultaneously.

Next, put together a list of companies you have ties to. Think about places you work, shop, where your family and friends work, where you do your banking, non-profits you volunteer at, etc. There’s a good chance one of these organizations has an annual scholarship award.

Finally, many scholarship search engines exist such as scholarships.com and fastweb.com, where you can filter your search based on your area of study and demographics.

Keep track of those deadlines, and happy applying!

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12 Tiny Habits That Transformed My Life in 6 Months as a Student ⟩
October 29, 2024, by Jowy

School/Life Balance

Hi there! I’m Jowy Cenat, and today I’m sharing the small, consistent habits that changed my life over the last six months. These might seem simple, but trust me — they’ve been game-changers.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci

1. Two minutes of jump-rope:
No need for an intense workout first thing in the morning. Two minutes of jump rope gets my heart pumping and my mind awake. It’s quick, easy, and surprisingly powerful.

2. Stepping outside:
Nothing beats stepping outside for a bit of fresh air and sunlight. It’s become my morning ritual for alertness and grounding. I’ll sometimes combine this with the jump rope for a two-for-one!

3. Revewing my goals:
Taking a few moments to look over my goals reminds me of what I’m aiming for. It’s like a reset that refocuses my mind and makes those long-term plans more achievable.

4. Reading a passage in the morning:
Instead of checking my phone first thing, I read something inspirational or philosophical. It’s a nice mental start to the day before the notifications start rolling in.

5. Practicing gratitude:
A few moments spent reflecting on what I’m grateful for grounds me. Gratitude has shifted my perspective, helping me start each day feeling more positive and centered.

6. Ending the day with a reflection:
I take a few minutes every night to reflect on the day — what went well, what could be better. This habit has been a great way to learn from each day and to let go of what didn’t work.

7. Keeping a reading habit:
I made it a point to read something every day, even if it’s just a few pages. The consistency has kept me curious, entertained, and always learning something new.

8. Setting micro-goals:
Breaking down big goals into smaller steps has been empowering. Each completed step brings a little victory, making the bigger picture feel achievable.

9. Walking 13,000 steps a day:
Getting my daily steps in has kept me active and energized. Sometimes it’s through a workout, other times just through exploring a park or neighborhood. The movement has done wonders. I was born in NYC, and unfortunately, I miss the walkability of the city.

10. Prioritizing sleep:
I started tracking my sleep and making it a priority. Once I realized how big of an impact rest has on my productivity and mood, it became non-negotiable.

-Sleep-

11. Celebrating small wins:
Finally, I learned to celebrate the small wins. Whether it’s hitting my daily steps or finishing a task, I let myself feel proud of those moments. They keep me going and remind me that progress is being made.

Bonus:
Implementing these habits has been an incredible journey. They might seem small, but the impact has been huge throughout my time in the program. Having my own habits, best practices, as well as learning from various courses, like health promotion or lifestyle redesign has been a game changer. I hope you find something here that inspires you!

*If I were to add another #12, I’d say boba + matcha is a tiny habit. Just a small habit . . . but let’s be real, life is better with a little boba and matcha in the mix!

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