Preparing to Begin

Tomorrow I will attend the first of many orientations.  I will meet my classmates and professors for the first time and take the first real steps into the world of an occupational therapy graduate student.  I am anxious.  My mind is filled with all that can happen and go wrong.

All day long I have looked over the material for my first class and wondered, "Do I have what it takes".  Can I do this?  Am I making a mistake by leaving behind my relatively safe life in the work sector and putting undue burdens on myself?  Will I make it? 

I do not know if all graduate students embarking on the same journey as me have these feelings but I am sure that some do.  So, if you don't have these feelings bear with me while I work through this.  For those of us who are overwhelmed at the thought of “what have we gotten ourselves into”, I think we just have to remember that our grad schools chose us.  We were accepted.  Admission personnel believe in us and the least we can do is live up to the potential they saw.

I have decided to post motivational notes on my bulletin board.  Quotes and sayings that will remind of what I am working toward.  Right now I can look up and see a poster that says "keep calm and take a sensory break" and "study hard and be an occupational therapist".  They serve to motivate me to continue doing my best and to remember why I am embarking on this journey.  They remind me that it will take studying and breaks to thrive in OT school.   

Tomorrow, I will wake up and start perhaps the most important journey of my life.  It will seem like so many other days before it, but for me it will be the start of my new life.  I am looking forward to charting my journey on this blog and hopefully giving hope to those of you out there who are feeling what I feel and experiencing the nerves and jitters that I am working with and through.

"And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it through...you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about." — Haruki Murakami

Grad School Schedule

I recently received my schedule for my first semester of OT school.  I will be spending 4 days a week at the campus with classes only being a few hours each day.  At first I thought that having class for only a few hours would give me plenty of time to work, but that is not the case.

I may only be there for a few hours for class but throughout the first few months I will be attending meetings, preparing for classes, doing homework, as well as preparing for fieldwork.  If you look at my calendar, every weekday is filled with something, and I am told that when classes start I will be adding 30-40 hours per week for out-of-class academics such as scheduling study times, times to work on projects and papers, and times to read for class.

I knew that OT school was a big commitment and am excited, but it is beginning to dawn on me that my life for the next 24 months will revolve almost exclusively around all things OT related.  There are probably those of you who would say "duh!" but knowing this intellectually and seeing it written out in your Google calendar and planner is another thing.  I will go from having maybe 12 hours of my day planned to 16 or more.

Beginning in July, I will be committing myself to a life of scholarship and academics.  It will be a time of emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.  I will be forced to prioritize every aspect of my life, and I believe I will discover what I truly value and what I am willing to do to achieve my goals.

I am excited to enter this chapter of my life, anxious to pour myself into OT and to emerge a new, more occupationally-aware person.  My graduate school schedule will test me in ways I have not been tested yet, and I am confident that the results will be a better-organized individual who has realized a small part of his potential and is ready to carry these organizational and occupational skills into the next chapter of his life.

Observations Part 3

My next observation was in a skilled nursing facility.  I was currently working there as a Certified Nursing Assistant and met the OT there.  She allowed me to observe her after my shift was over.  All in all I observed and assisted in therapy sessions with older adults, both on the rehab floor and other floors.

I observed the OT working with patients who had knee replacements, hip replacements, and other diagnoses.  Most of the sessions focused on balance and motor planning.  I observed patients walking around obstacle courses, picking up different colored cones from various hiding places.  I watched patients gain endurance on stationary bikes, and by walking the halls of the facility.

Most of the therapy sessions were based on gaining endurance and evaluating the patients strategies for moving around their environments.  On the surface the sessions seemed boring and simple.  Make a obstacle course, walk a patient around the halls, talk with them while they ride a bike.  After thinking more about and asking what each exercise was doing for the patient, I discovered that most of the work on the therapist part was done before the session.  She was making decisions on how to improve the patients function and how to engage him or her in such a way to further the patient's endurance, strength, and motor planning.  So much of what a therapists does can seem easy and basic but like an iceberg the real "mass" is below the surface and goes unseen during therapy sessions and observations.

Some good questions to ask in this setting are how to manage behaviors, how long therapists spend on notes and paperwork, and what strategies they employ in working with other therapy professionals and nursing staff.  In the last post I mentioned why managing behaviors is important.  Paperwork and notes are a constant thing in OT.  No matter in what setting you work, you will need to write up what you did, your goals, and what to do in the future.  I have found that using SOAP notes is a easy way to write good notes.  SOAP stands for subjective, objective, assessment, and plan.  You can google SOAP notes and read much more about them.  The strategies employed with other professionals will give you an insight into what team meetings are like, any in-services that therapists may be responsible for and the kinds of things that an OT needs to communicate to others in the setting.

Observation Part 2

My first OT observation was in a client's home.  The session was very interesting.  The first thing we did was roll around on the floor and bear walk through an obstacle course.  After that we tried some foods with "weird" textures, according to the client.  I was surprised at the amount of fun I had and the client had.

I later learned that this "play" was what sensory integration for a young child can look like.  The therapist created a safe environment for the child to try new foods.  The strategy was to work the body and the different senses in a fun and adventurous way.  Foods were a real issue for this child and so for each new food she had to touch it, feel it, smell it, describe it, and finally taste it.  She did not have to swallow anything just try out each new item.  We tried yogurt, tortillas, and carrot sticks.  I enjoyed every minute of it.

This session opened my eyes to just how interesting pediatric therapy is.  It awakened a desire to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorder and a passion for all things OT.  I have observed in other settings and enjoyed it all but I will always look back on that first observation with fondness.

After the session the therapist and I discussed what we had just done and talked about why I wanted to be an OT.  We discussed my background and set up another session a few weeks in the future.  All in all this observation sparked an interest in all things OT and a passion for treating the whole person.

Reflecting on this observation, there are a few questions that someone could ask.  The first question that comes to mind is what a typical day is like.  It is important to get a feel for what the day entails for, in this case, a pediatric occupational therapist working in clients homes.  You could also ask how the OT deals with challenging behaviors.  Challenging behaviors are a part of any therapist's life, children throw fits, teens are moody, and make excuses.  How to deal with the challenges is an important skill that you will need to acquire.  There are many more but these should get you started.

P.S. since April is OT month I will also be posting a blog on what it means to me to increase awareness for OT in 2015.  Next month I will feature a guest blogger to tell her thoughts on her own personal brand of therapy.  Stay tuned.

Observations Part I

When I was first looking into universities that offer entry level OT programs, I began looking into possible observation opportunities.  I was not sure where to start so I did what the average person would do. I searched Google, of course.  At first I chose places that were in my hometown and tried to stay local.  After finding places that offer OT, I wrote down a long list of phone numbers and email addresses.

After I started calling, I discovered how difficult it was going to be to find observations.  At most of the places I did not know who to talk to.  In my state there are no preoccupational therapy degrees.  There are just people like me who are interested and are looking for someone to show us what a day in an OT's life is like. Many people who I talked to did not understand what I was asking because they knew that there are fieldwork positions and thought I was calling for fieldwork.  I spent a lot of time explaining that I was a student who was interested in OT and was looking for some general observations to get a better understanding of the field.

Eventually, I did find a few places that were open to the prospect of someone following them around for a few hours and who had the time.  After that it was about finding a day and time that would work for both me and the therapists.  It was a stressful time wanting to learn everything I could and juggle work, school, and family time.  I was able to set up a few days with a local OT in an outpatient clinic and with an OT that works both in the schools and in a private practice.  I also was fortunate to be working in a skilled nursing facility and asked the OT there if I could follow her around a little and see what kinds of things she did with the residents as well as on the rehab floor.

All in all after some phone calls, emails, and one on one conversations, I was able to piece together a beginning to my OT observations.  I learned that the field is more diverse than I imagined and that if I was persistent I could find dates and times that worked, I could make these experiences happen.  I observed in three different settings, saw three different approaches to the field, and began to learn how to build rapport in the client-therapist relationship.  It was a rewarding start on my journey to becoming an OT.

Since the start of my observations I have observed OTs in the home, inpatient, outpatient, with adults, elderly, children, and teens.  I traveled around my area and worked with a variety of therapists with varying levels of experience. In the next posts I will discuss these experiences more in-depth and what I learned from each.  I will also try to give some tips on what to do when observing to gain the most from your experience.

Choosing an Undergraduate Degree

When I first started looking into graduate school for occupational therapy, I wanted to choose the best undergraduate degree.  The local universities do not provide a bachelors in occupational therapy and so I looked into the recommended majors.  I found a few different suggested majors including: Human Development and Family Studies, Health and Exercise Science, Social Work, Psychology, and Biology.

I believe these majors  can be grouped into two categories, physical sciences and the social sciences.  The ideal majors in my mind are those that are going to prepare you for your career.  If you think you want to work in rehabilitation, maybe biology or health and exercise science.  If you think you would like to work more in the social side of occupational therapy (e.g. with teenagers or in mental health) a degree in human development and family studies, psychology, or social work.  The different settings may lend themselves to different majors.  An analysis of what you think you would like to do may help in choosing the major.  Another perspective is purely a practical one, choose a major you can excel at.  Acceptance into graduate school for occupational therapy is very competitive and your GPA is perhaps the most important factor.  It is important that you choose a major that will interest you and keep you motivated.

I chose health care administration.  It may seem like an odd choice, but I feel like it provided me with a unique perspective on the world in which occupational therapists work.  Today's occupational therapists must work within the framework of insurances, both private and government.  He or she must work around and through the prism that is health care law and regulations.  I believe that my undergraduate degree has introduced me to a different side of my future career and gives me a unique perspective as I enter graduate school. I also chose administration because at some point I want to have my own practice as well as possibly be a director of a rehab department.   I believe that my degree has prepared me to take a leadership role in the field.

In the end, the choosing of an undergraduate major need not be a scary prospect.  Choose a major that you will be interested in and that will keep you motivated.  Choosing a major is an important decision but there is no reason to not enjoy the process.  Have fun! In the end that will be what keeps you motivated throughout undergraduate and graduate school.  You are going through all of this so that you can have a rewarding career.  To steal an old slogan from the Navy, "It's not a job, it's an adventure".

My Journey to OT

For me the road to occupational therapy has been long and winding.  I learned of its existence when I was a child and feel like I have always known there was such a thing.  I have a younger brother with a genetic disorder who received many therapies including OT.  The most rewarding therapies for him were those that revolved around food and most specifically the pudding kind.  Speech and occupational therapy were the ones that gave him the most independence and perhaps occupational more than speech.  An OT taught him to use a spoon to get the chocolate good stuff from a container to his mouth.  That one image of him smiling with chocolate pudding all over his mouth is etched in my brain for eternity.

Jump forward many years to 2010 and after working several years in construction, I was working with adults who have developmental disabilities and rediscovering the joy that even the smallest amount of independence can bring someone.  I was looking for a degree that would make me money and most importantly be fulfilling.  Some career that will make me feel like I am providing a meaningful service to the world and to the people in it.  My wife, a speech language pathology grad student at the time, reminded me of how amazing OT is, and we began to look into what it would take for me to become one.

Since then it has been a wonderful ride.  I have had disappointments, triumphs, and many many challenges.  I have completed a bachelors degree, observed OTs across many settings, taken the GRE more times than I care to think about, applied for graduate school twice, and been accepted.  I caught a small glimpse of occupational therapy when I was younger and continue to learn more and more about this field.  I grow to love it more and more each day and look forward to discovering more and more about the world it provides its clients and practitioners.

Decisions Decisions

Recently, I posted that I had been accepted to a school and anticipated more acceptances.  Since then, I have received two invitations to interview, which I declined, another acceptance and a wait list decision.  I am still waiting to hear back from one more school before I make a final decision on where to attend.  This process has been nerve-wracking for both me and my wife.

Last year I was impatiently waiting for a decision from a school and thought that nothing could be worse than waiting to hear from the one school to which I applied.  This year I have been introduced to a different kind of anxiousness as I have impatiently waited to hear back from multiple schools, and am trying to look into the future to see how this decision will impact my career.

In light of all this I thought I would give my personal tips on what has helped me to make this decision.

Factors to Consider

• First, congratulations you were accepted.  You are going to be an OT!  It may sound silly but every once and a while I realize this again and it brings a smile and sense of accomplishment.  Keeping this fact in mind can alleviate many of the stressors you face when trying to make a decision.
• Second, the cost of the program is a major factor.  Out-of-state tuition can be expensive and in many cases double what you would pay in-state.  Cost of living should also be considered, including rent in the new city as well as the possible pay for any flexible part time work you may be able to get.  It is not recommended that you work during your first semester as this may put undue stress on you, but many students do.  Just remember to plan ahead, have great time management and pick jobs that are flexible and as stress free as possible.
• Third, OT school is a chance to make life-long friends and to expand your horizons.  Take this into account when deciding.  During these two - four years, depending on your program, you will meet many interesting people, learn about cultures of new towns possibly, and meet the community around your school.  What is student life like?  Each of these factors should influence your decision.
• Finally, consider the program.  There are many differences between programs. Some are researched based, some are clinical based.  All incorporate research and clinical skills into the program.  Some schools are closer to AOTA's headquarters, some send student delegations to the national convention. What opportunities does each school provide their students with?  Is the school known for producing leaders in the field and the community or is it known for its research? What kinds of research are the faculty doing?  Research and decide which school fits your learning style and interest the best.  

These are a few of the factors I am considering.  They have helped me keep the entire process in focus and will continue to shape my decision going forward.

Acceptance!

Last Thursday after a rough week dealing with car trouble I was pleasantly surprised when I received an email informing me that one of the schools I applied to has decided to accept me.  In the email I was given some preliminary information on what the next steps would be and the things I should be looking for in the next couple weeks and months.

In light of these developments I would like to reflect on what is coming next and how this year and application cycle differs from last year.  Last year I was muddling through waiting to hear from schools, going back and forth between should the packet be thick or thin.  After all a thick envelope means there is more than just a letter expressing their regrets for my rejection.

Now I am trying to decide if I receive more than one acceptance how to choose.  Do I choose based on location, cost of attendance, or reputation?  I understand that these questions are in many ways moot.  I have only received one acceptance but I am still struggling with what will come next.  Will I need to move across the country?  I am ready for the adventure.  Grad school comes with a large portion of debt and moving does not reduce that debt one iota.  At the same time, acceptance into an in-state school reduces the amount of debt but that may not be an option and is not at this point and time.  I also am trying to figure out more about each school.  Are they more clinical or research, which school am I the best fit for and which is the best fit for me?

I applied to a total of 5 schools,  One in my home state, 2 on the east coast, one in the Midwest, and one in a state with no state income tax.  Except for the in state school tuition is about the same at each school.  Decisions decisions.

I will try to keep posting my thoughts and any news I receive from the schools I to which I applied.  I hope this blog will give others insight into how at least one other person handled this stressful time in life.