Student Blog
School/Life Balance

From Worker to Student: A New Occupation ⟩
September 26, 2024, by Tanya

Beginnings and Endings Community International Life Hacks Living in LA School/Life Balance

It is week 3 of school and perhaps with the exploration of Occupational Science, it made me reflect about the current journey I’ve chosen to embark on; a new occupation. I am no longer a working adult but one who is back in school — an adult student. It has been approximately a month since I said goodbye to the familiar, the known and the expected. Things are no longer as familiar, and navigating through this change has not been the easiest, to say the least.

I have stepped into the unknown and the unfamiliar in the decision to pursue the Post-Professional Master’s degree here at USC Chan, and if I were to use the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model (Law et al., 1996) to frame my life, you could say that I am still learning to maximize the fit to attain the same occupational performance I had back home. There is not just a literal change, in the physical change in environment, but also a change in my social environment. Social supports that I could turn to immediately had a 15 hour time difference. Even though this is not the first time living alone in a foreign country, it does not get any easier. There are some days I still get teary looking at pictures or Instagram videos and wish I could teleport home to be part of a special event, to comfort a friend or just to get a physical hug from a loved one. Leisure activities which I could engage in frequently are harder to access as I do not drive, or are things that I could not bring over (e.g., my sewing machine).

Even the most simple things require unlearning and relearning — take the metric systems — I am still learning how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, Pounds to Kilograms and Miles to Kilometres. It does get better with practice and of course, consulting with Google Converter, especially when I am at the grocery store, has been such help to me. Exploring the transportation systems might be a little tricky, but I am thankful that I got the chance to explore with my course mates, who are becoming a different sort of support system.

Having a new occupation as a student comes with new expectations and responsibilities. I used to read journal articles that I received from my monthly BJOT subscription or when I was reading up on the evidence of interventions that I would like to use. However, being a student means reading and trying to synthesize the contents of the articles for each module that you take. Living alone also means that that are other things you need to manage and set aside time for, such as meal-prep, household chores, figuring out how the dryer works and grocery runs.

Though the Occupation and Environment has changed, one thing that remained constant is the Person (that’s me). The changes might seem overwhelming initially but your abilities that enabled you to navigate the challenges, difficulties and new seasons in your life in a place of familiarity and comfort do not change amidst the change in the environment. The routines that you have created for yourself back home can also be replicated here — it just takes a little time to figure and analyse what is better and suitable. I’ve resumed my curiosity in cooking and explored the different dishes and cooking hacks on social media. This has not only provided me with affordable and delicious meals, but it has been a nice and relaxing activity and a way for me to connect with my housemates.

Being a planner, I have plans to crochet and hit the gym with my house/course mate Kate — we will get to it soon! Being away makes you grow as an individual as you reflect and learn to see things from a different perspective — who knew that just having dinner and chatting by the pool with friends is something so enjoyable and refreshing, an activity that I hope will be part of my new routine. Change is hard but it can also be an experience that will shape, develop and make you a better OT as you view things from new and different perspectives. It is also important to be intentional, not just here, but with the people back home, technology in this case is truly a blessing. Being 8811 miles away does feel shorter with the texts and calls.

One thing I am thankful for are my course mates, they make home feel a little less far. My new social environment, but one I am thrilled to share the remaining year with as we learn, laugh and eat together.

Stay tuned if you are interested in finding out what my remaining year will be like as a new adult student — I personally know it will be an amazing one and one that I will proudly say that I have maximized the PEO fit at the end of it.

Reference
Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103

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Shifting the Balance ⟩
August 22, 2024, by Patricia

School/Life Balance

Is it possible to work while being in grad school? Is there enough time to do my school work and study? Can I balance it all on top of trying to be an individual outside of all these roles? The answer to these questions is it depends on you and the reason I say that is because you are the best person who knows yourself. For me, being a full-time student, having two jobs, and living at home which if you know you know that living at home comes with additional roles (i.e., being a sister, a daughter, etc.) all while trying to remember that I’m still me is a lot. And balancing all these roles can be exhausting and throughout this semester-year I’ve learned how to set up my schedule to balance all I have going on. Here is a picture of my calendar in May, this was the start of the summer semester and looking back it was pretty packed.

My schedule is only a visual of what I have going on for the day, it doesn’t include the extra hidden items of what my days actually look like (e.g., studying, how I’m feeling, did I get enough sleep, etc.).

School
My school schedule is pretty consistent unless otherwise shared by the professors. What has been my biggest challenge is getting my school work and studying done because I do live at home. I stay on campus after classes are over either in the after hours support provided by the student support services or I find an available room at CHP. I’ve also stayed up late to get everything done which doesn’t sound as great, but it has worked for me. I also appreciate the early sign-ups on assignments, and or assignments that have a specific deadline, because I get to plan accordingly ahead of time. However, I will note that there have been unexpected moments (e.g., getting sick) that have side-tracked me. I’ve learned that communicating with your professors about what is going on in advance makes a difference. If you need help with the class material and/or assignments you should reach out earlier rather than later.

Work
My work schedule has been constantly changing since day one, but I have been very fortunate to have a job(s) that are flexible and accommodating to my student schedule. My job as a therapy aide is beyond amazing as I plan my work days carefully around the semester. My job as an ambassador is also flexible in understanding my role and priority as a student, if I’m not working in the office, I’m working remotely which is helpful to my schedule. I understand that not all workplaces are as flexible and accommodating. I do recommend you to guide your work days based on your class schedule, assignments, midterms, practicums, and finals. The first semester allows you to work more days but as you begin your spring semester, the immersion courses will add an additional day to your school schedule.

Life Outside of Work & School
I will admit I do take breaks in between it all and a huge thank you to my family and friends who constantly remind me to take care of myself. Sometimes I’ve gotten home from a long day and all I want to do is sleep and so I do. Take care of yourself, do what you need to do too, for instance engage in your favorite activities. Some of my favorite activities include playing video games, cooking, listening to music, sleeping, and spending time with my family members. I will engage in these activities before I start my school work or after, and it’s okay! Sometimes you just got to.

So after all that being said, is it possible to balance it all? I’m going to say, “yes.” I have done it this semester-year which is somehow unbelievable. But I also want to emphasize that you know yourself best! Balancing it all does have its challenges; it’s not perfect. I hope my sharing provides an insight to you all, as always I’m glad to answer any questions you may have. Fight On!

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My First Summer Semester, What a Ride! ⟩
August 22, 2024, by Mason

Living in LA School/Life Balance

Completing finals this past week marks the end of my first-ever summer semester in college, and I can confidently say that it was not the experience I expected. Now let me be honest with you all, when I first found out that I would have to take classes for the majority of the summer I was not too pleased. The summer had always been my time to let loose amidst busy semesters of OT courses and I was scared that the lack of a break would feel overwhelming. My first summer semester also happened to be my first semester as an official graduate student. It was quite an interesting experience having my entire family fly down on a Friday afternoon for the pomp and circumstance of my undergraduate graduation only to then have my first day of class bright and early the next Monday morning. Despite being a full-time student throughout the summer I still ended up having quite an enjoyable experience. For me personally, I always get a certain feeling or mood when the summer comes around. I don’t know if maybe it’s the warmth or the opportunities to get out into the sunshine, but summer always brings me a feeling of joy and endless possibilities. Even though I was on my way to class in the morning, I couldn’t help but smile in the sunshine, sunglasses donned, and iced coffee in hand.

For me, I took my summer semester as an awesome opportunity to explore a new season in Los Angeles for the very first time. I chose to embrace being a California college student and had a great time while doing it. Initially, I thought having class would take away from my opportunities to engage in the activities I enjoyed, yet I found quite the opposite happening this summer. In fact, I was actually able to explore and try many new things I never expected. One of these activities was biking. I have always loved biking, but I have also always wanted to take the activity from simple fun to a serious sport I could enjoy. This summer presented me with the awesome opportunity to do that. I explored new areas of LA I had never experienced like scenic coastal roadways, surprisingly lush river canal trails, and open northern landscapes. I was even able to create and develop new meaningful relationships and friendships with my classmates who shared my passion for the activity.

OT school can certainly have its ups and downs, and there are definitely some overwhelming moments, but for me what gets me through it is making the time for all the things I enjoy. Balancing the workload and making time for other meaningful occupations can take time. It is an intricate dance that only experience can teach you to master. But once you get in the swing of each semester, you’ll find all of your responsibilities get gradually easier to manage. Our meaningful activities are what drive us as passionate and independent individuals. They are the reason we get up each morning, and they are the reason I continue to work hard towards my dream of becoming a clinician. My biggest piece of advice for anyone looking to join our OT program or any other program like it is to make time for the little things that bring you joy. I strongly believe that when you do you will concentrate better, learn better, and grow as a person throughout your time here.

That’s all for now and Fight On!

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A Day in the Life of an E-OTD Student Vlog ⟩
August 6, 2024, by Shivani

Classes School/Life Balance

Ever wonder what it’s like to be an E-OTD student at USC Chan? Well, I’m here to show you!

Prior to starting grad school, I was a nervous wreck because I didn’t know what was in store for me. However, over time, I was able to realize that I have the ability to shape my grad school experience. Being a part of the USC Chan Trojan Family has been such a rewarding experience thus far, as it has taught me that being a student doesn’t need to consume my entire experience. Grad school is also the time to discover who you are and make memories that will last a lifetime.

I hope my short vlog is able to show you the lighthearted, fun, and exciting aspects of grad school! My journey has transformed from initial uncertainty to a fulfilling and balanced experience, and I’m so excited to share it with you. Thanks for watching and being a part of my grad school journey, and as always, Fight On!

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Working in College Is Not One Size Fits All ⟩
July 18, 2024, by Mason

Getting Involved Life Hacks School/Life Balance

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education at USC, I have always had some form of job, and these were often funded by federal work-study. Federal Work Study is a government-funded student aid program that students may be eligible to receive depending on their financial situation as governed by the yearly FAFSA. The full ins and outs of the program can be a bit confusing, but to simplify it, if a student is awarded federal work-study, the government will give an employer money to pay your wage and to incentivize the hiring of you as a worker. In my personal experience, having federal work-study was extremely helpful as an undergraduate student, as many of the on-campus jobs such as working at the library, bookstore, etc. would be much more likely to hire a student with a federal work-study award. That is not to say that there are no jobs for those without this distinction. Many of my close friends and even myself during the years I did not receive this award were still able to find great employment opportunities and jobs that were flexible enough to accommodate a college student’s scheduling needs. The key takeaway from this though is that federal work-study can be a great opportunity and tool in finding employment during college, so make sure to remember to fill out your FAFSA accurately each year and not to overlook the award in your financial aid package.

Now on a more personal note, I’d love to talk about my experience so far as a working college student. I was fortunate to be raised in a very hard-working family, where both my parents worked full-time jobs while raising my two sisters and me. While my parents were working hard in their careers, my sisters and I were taken care of by my Nonno (grandfather). My Nonno immigrated to America from Sicily when he was just 19 years old and it is from him that I owe my work ethic across all of the jobs I have worked so far. No matter what was going on in my life, my Nonno always raised me to be a hard worker. He taught me that if you wanted something in life, that it was your responsibility to work hard to achieve it, and that any aspiration no matter how big was achievable with hard work & determination.

I have worked many jobs in my life such as being a tutor, a beach lifeguard, a resident assistant, and a campus tour guide, and now I enjoy interacting with my community through blogs like this as a Chan student ambassador. For me, work has always brought me a sense of meaning and purpose. The idea of getting a job and working during college was never really a question in my mind, rather, it was more of an understanding I had made with myself to continue to work hard towards my goals. Students choose to work in college for a multitude of reasons, many work hard to pay for things like books, food, and rent. Some students choose to work so that they can have money to support themselves in meaningful activities like sports, exploring LA, or getting dinner with their friends. Finally, many students choose to work because having a job helps them derive meaning and purpose with their time in college. I have often found that people do not simply fall into one of these roles, rather, most students I know tackle every one of these goals simultaneously.

Working in college is not one size fits all. Each and every one of us is a different person, with different goals & aspirations, different finances, and importantly, different needs to succeed during our time here. So when considering whether or not to work during your academic pursuits the best advice I would give is to be honest with yourself and to think about what you need to succeed. Choosing not to work is just as meaningful as choosing to work if a job would jeopardize your success as a student. My advice, be open to trying new things! If a job doesn’t work out you can always stop and you can always try something else instead. Working in college is not perfect for everyone, but it can be a fantastic opportunity to set yourself up for financial, professional, and personal success in your future life and career.

That’s all for now, and remember to Fight On!

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