Student Blog
Classes

Choices, Choices! Aka, “What Electives Should I Take?” ⟩
October 28, 2013, by Kate

Classes What are OS/OT?

During the second semester of our second year in the entry-level master’s program, we are given the chance to take elective courses that spark our interest in the field of occupational therapy. The Division offers a variety of elective courses that provide students with a look into a particular niche. Examples of elective courses that the Division is offering for Spring 2014 include: Occupational Therapy in Acute Care, Sensory Integration Theory, Early Intervention, Universal Design, Hand Rehabilitation, Dysphagia, Lifestyle Redesign® and Motor Control. There are a lot of choices and, to some, it might be overwhelming to decide what to take versus what not to take. If only I could take all of the classes!

I’ve decided to enroll in some of the classes I feel most connected to, including Lifestyle Redesign® and Occupational Therapy in Acute Care. I have applied for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at USC and am very interested in pursuing Lifestyle Redesign® a bit further in order to assist my future clients with changing their habits and routines and positively impacting their own well-being. Furthermore, I am interested in marrying that area of practice with the adult rehabilitation or primary care setting. I feel that by taking these two courses, I can best prepare myself for my doctorate and for my practice.

I’m really excited to dive deeper into occupational therapy and the specific courses that I am interested in. Whenever I think about it, it amazes me how much closer I am to graduating! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by throughout this program. Soon enough it will be a new group of students coming through these doors — maybe even YOU!!! I think the best that I can do is leave a positive legacy for the future USC occupational therapy students!

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Planning for the future ⟩
October 17, 2013, by Rob

Classes Fieldwork What are OS/OT?

This is an exciting time to be a second-year student. After getting back from our full week of fieldwork on Monday, my Inbox started filling up for future things to do. First, I had to submit my application for the OTD program. After a lot of thought and consultation with faculty and fellow students, I decided it was the best decision for myself and my future in the profession. I’m looking forward to exploring possible residency sites in the next few month as I try to work out a fun and educational yearlong experience. Find out more on the OTD here.

I’m also starting to plan the elective courses I will be taking this spring. We have two required classes and then up to 12 additional elective units. The program is very structured for the first three semesters, but the final semester is exciting because it gives all of us students the chance to specialize in an area of interest. I’m going to be taking the Universal Design class as well as an independent study on disability studies in occupational therapy. The only sad part is that our cohorts (the three groups that we were divided into at the beginning of the program) will be splitting up. I have made some really good friends in my cohort — spending hours playing on the pediatric equipment, making splints, studying, eating lunch and basically living together for a year and a half has created tremendous camaraderie, and I’ll miss it. But that just means we will have to get some potlucks and themed parties going to bring us back together!

The last big decision on my plate is where to do my Level II Fieldwork next summer. Since I was a teaching assistant this past summer for the foundational courses the first-year’s take, I will be doing both my Level IIs back-to-back after I graduate in May. I’m going to Philadelphia for my second Level II to work on an interdisciplinary program for older adults that focuses on aging in place, something I am very passionate about. I’m still exploring places to do my first Level II here in LA. I’m leaning toward mental health, but I still have a few more weeks to get things figured out.

Whatever I choose will shape the future of my next few years in the program. But no pressure, right?

Also, a big round of applause to fellow Ambassador Jen! She has posted a whopping eight blog posts thus far. I’ll have to step up my game in the second half of the semester!

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Sensory Integration Lab ⟩
September 26, 2013, by Jen

Classes What are OS/OT?

This week in my pediatric lectures, we have been learning about sensory integration, which is a theory based on neuroscience that provides perspective for appreciating the sensory dimensions of human behavior. When someone is not processing sensory information appropriately, they may have sensory integrative dysfunction. During an occupation therapy assessment the occupational therapist may notice signs of dysfunction, including: delays in fine motor and gross motor development, decreased strength and endurance, low muscle tone, decreased balance, poor body awareness, poor self-regulation or difficulty with social and emotional development. The occupational therapist may then choose to use fun sensory integration intervention strategies to enhance information processing so that a child can engage more appropriately in everyday life. Pediatric occupational therapy can look a lot like play, but it takes a lot of skill to make it appear that way.

This week in my pediatric lab, we experimented with the different equipment in the sensory integration laboratory in the CHP building at the Division. The laboratory is full of equipment that provides tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular exploration opportunities for a child (and even for an adult!). The equipment promotes both sensory and motor activities. We discovered different ways to challenge each other in terms of coordination, balance, and body control, and had a ton of fun doing it!

Here is a photo of some of my fellow classmates:

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Another Test Conquered!! ⟩
September 24, 2013, by Kate

Classes

This morning I had my second exam in my Adult Physical Rehabilitation and Disability immersion and boy, am I glad it’s over! Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the OT program and graduate school in general, but let’s be honest — tests are not that fun. However, I feel that I studied enough for this exam, and I think I did pretty well on the multiple choice and the practicum portions (the practicum is a short-answer/written reply that relates to what you have been covering in the class). Last night a fellow classmate who lives down the street from me came over, and we quizzed each other on the lecture and lab material. It was great to have someone to help me out!

Now, it’s off to prepare for my exam coming up next week in our Health and Wellness class! Although it may seem as if these exams are never-ending, it is awesome to learn this material and build upon it. I can see my future as an occupational therapist coming closer every day. And when I look at the bigger picture, I know the studying and hard work is worth it!

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Visiting San Luis Obispo ⟩
September 23, 2013, by Jen

Classes What are OS/OT?

This past weekend I took a short break from my life in Los Angeles to visit some friends at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. I graduated from Cal Poly in June 2012 (exactly one week prior to beginning the occupational therapy program at USC) with a BS in Kinesiology and a Minor in Psychology. My visit brought back numerous memories from my undergraduate years and reminded me how much my education at Cal Poly helped me get to where I am today.

As a kinesiology major I took courses such as Biomechanics, Motor Control and Learning, Anatomy, Physiology, Neuroanatomy, Adapted Physical Activity, Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity, Gerontology, and Sports Nutrition. When I took each of these courses, I never thought about how much I would be using what I was learning in the future. Let me tell you . . . I’ve been using what I learned a LOT since beginning graduate school. Majoring in kinesiology especially prepared me for the physical rehabilitation aspects of occupational therapy.

As a psychology minor I took courses such as Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Behavioral Disorders in Childhood, and Environmental Psychology. What I learned in these courses did a fantastic job of preparing me for the mental health and pediatric aspects of occupational therapy.

I’m so grateful for my undergraduate experience and know what I am learning now in graduate school will be VERY useful when I become an occupational therapist.

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