I'm assuming you've already started. I'm a OT grad student at UNH and when I randomly came across this posting, I thought I would respond. I've finished with my undergaduate work and am about to begin my graduate level work, including my clinical placements.
Here are a few tips:
The first three years are pretty straight forward and easy. Get a lot of your general education requirements taken care of. Your senior year is going to be when things pick up in pace. It can be overwhelming at times, but the professors are aware and make a lot of compromises as needed. The OT program is very competitive, so you need to stay on top of everything. With that said, you'll find a lot of help available to you.
Make friends with as many of the OT's in your class for your year. It is going to happen automatically your senior year, so you might as well get started now. You will rely on each other throughout your senior year and clinical fieldwork placements. I transfered into the program late, so I didn't meet any of my OT classmates until my senior year. The first month or so was a bit strange, but they all quickly became very dear friends.
There are usually one or two males each year. Be nice to them. As a male OT student myself, it is awkward at times because we are surrounded by women. That may seem like a good thing, but it can be difficult at times. I've ben lucky enough to not have any big problems, but I could see that it could have been a problem with some people.
All of the professors are great; I doubt you'll have a problem there. I think a new one was just hired, too. We got a chance to sit in on a test lecture last year to see if he was good enough and, from what I understand, everyone liked him.
Stay on top of your work and you'll do well. Help is pretty easy to find. Enjoy your first three years and know that the last two get pretty hectic.
If you ever check back to this message and have any questions, feel free to ask.
