First of all, let me apologize for starting this thread and then kind of abandoning it. That was not my intention at all. I didn't expect classes to pick up so quickly and the i
First of all, let me apologize for starting this thread and then kind of abandoning it. That was not my intention at all. I didn't expect classes to pick up so quickly and the idea of having 10 minutes to even look at a website other than where my program posts assignments gave me anxiety. I'm not officially done with my first semester and I am alive!
@futureOTRL, thanks for answering questions! As for the workload question: yes, it is as hard as everyone makes it out to be. If your program is not hard, they really should take a hard look at the program and make sure they're challenging the students enough.
OT school is one of those things that you keep your head above water because it is your body's natural reaction to kick and flail. I can't compare my program to others, but I know that mine was VERY challenging this semester. Trust me when I say that you
will get through it. Make sure you have a good support system and you have your priorities straight. My number one piece of advice is start your school work on day 1. It will be tempting to take the first week lightly because nothing is due, but before you know it you're a week behind.
Our program seems to be fairly similar to all others so far. Our first semester is gross anatomy with cadaver lab (taken with PT students), musculoskeletal examination (also taken with PT), OT models and theory, theoretical framework of OT, evidence-based practice, and leadership; This is a total of 18 credit hours. I was very lucky to end up in this program. The professors are simply amazing. They brought us candy and food before every test, we were pampered during finals week, there was an open door policy for offices, we could cry to them, hug them, whatever we needed... There's only 13 students this year because it's a new program. It is really like a family more than anything. We argue and get on each other's nerves, but I wouldn't trade a single one (sorry, sappy). I'd love to hear about your program as well!
I am currently working at a grad assistant in the nursing department, and that has been very hard to balance. Unfortunately I don't come from a household with money, so it's essential for me to stay in school!
Something that I was not prepared for was the extreme emphasis on muscles. We had to know where they attached and inserted, what their functions were, and what their innervation was. I guess this is something some people get in undergrad, but it was ALL new to me. I was at a definite disadvantage in this class and I was, in turn, disappointed with my grade in the end. I'd like to applaud you for beginning now, however. I truly wish I had done that before I started. Something that would make life easier for you and wouldn't be too crazy before school is to go over the veins and arteries. You won't have to know all of them, but focus on the upper and lower extremities and you'll be great.
dea of having 10 minutes to even look at a website other than where my program posts assignments gave me anxiety. I'm not officially done with my first semester and I am alive!
@futureOTRL, thanks for answering questions! As for the workload question: yes, it is as hard as everyone makes it out to be. If your program is not hard, they really should take a hard look at the program and make sure they're challenging the students enough.
OT school is one of those things that you keep your head above water because it is your body's natural reaction to kick and flail. I can't compare my program to others, but I know that mine was VERY challenging this semester. Trust me when I say that you
will get through it. Make sure you have a good support system and you have your priorities straight. My number one piece of advice is start your school work on day 1. It will be tempting to take the first week lightly because nothing is due, but before you know it you're a week behind.
Our program seems to be fairly similar to all others so far. Our first semester is gross anatomy with cadaver lab (taken with PT students), musculoskeletal examination (also taken with PT), OT models and theory, theoretical framework of OT, evidence-based practice, and leadership; This is a total of 18 credit hours. I was very lucky to end up in this program. The professors are simply amazing. They brought us candy and food before every test, we were pampered during finals week, there was an open door policy for offices, we could cry to them, hug them, whatever we needed... There's only 13 students this year because it's a new program. It is really like a family more than anything. We argue and get on each other's nerves, but I wouldn't trade a single one (sorry, sappy). I'd love to hear about your program as well!
I am currently working at a grad assistant in the nursing department, and that has been very hard to balance. Unfortunately I don't come from a household with money, so it's essential for me to stay in school!
Something that I was not prepared for was the extreme emphasis on muscles. We had to know where they attached and inserted, what their functions were, and what their innervation was. I guess this is something some people get in undergrad, but it was ALL new to me. I was at a definite disadvantage in this class and I was, in turn, disappointed with my grade in the end. I'd like to applaud you for beginning now, however. I truly wish I had done that before I started. Something that would make life easier for you and wouldn't be too crazy before school is to go over the veins and arteries. You won't have to know all of them, but focus on the upper and lower extremities and you'll be great.