Establishing Connections

It's only Tuesday but I already feel well into week two of OT school and fortunately I'm still loving it. There is certainly some difficulty around afternoon lectures when it's hot and beautiful outside with struggling to stay awake but I'm finding the material fascinating and engaging. Today one of the librarians came in to show us all the amazing resources on our school's library webpage. There are so many very specific databases available that make research much easier in identifying certain topics. There are also some great tools for making bibliographies - uber useful! It seems like other colleges have similar options, so check out yours. My librarian seemed extremely helpful and very eager to lend a hand, expressing that it was in fact his sole purpose (or maybe soul purpose!) to help us be successful as OT students. Because he is so approachable I hope to form a relationship with him so that once the real research starts, I have someone on my team. (He also strongly recommended not-trying to learn these databases the night before a paper is due but to get familiar with them now.)

It's truly amazing to me how much people are eager to help me to be successful in my journey. I've hit a few hurdles in the last week (of course, such is life) and I'm finding that with the right attitude, and understanding of what truly is in my control to change and make better, I am getting a lot of understanding and support from the people around me. Also, kindness goes such a long way! I shared some homemade bread with the people in the health center at school and they've been nothing but adoring as I've come in for my routine TB testings required for the program (4 total visits.) 

I'm also finding that as I'm studying OT, I'm finding ways to implement so many tools into my own life that are proving useful and successful. (And I'm able to acknowledge the ones that aren't as well.) For example, I've established a routine for bedtime to help me wind down from my day and settle into sleep mode, including a shower and meditation. The routine of it makes bedtime seem approachable, whereas in the past I've dreaded getting ready for bed because it most simply meant I was that much closer to the next day, which was going to very likely be busy and chaotic and stressful. This new approach helps me to feel balanced, grounded, and prepared for anything; it actually helps me START my day better and consequently I've been having really good days, stressful situations and all! 

Today I encountered some frustrating customer relations scenarios that I ended up navigating with a little less finesse than I care to admit, but it wasn't the end of the world, as it may have seemed to me in the past. One of my hiccups landed me in 6:30 traffic and it literally took me 20 minutes to drive 0.2 miles. I pulled off the highway to go and sit by the water and appreciate the way the sun's light fell onto the landscape with the evening colors. I may have neglected to acknowledge the "no trespassing" signs posted, and consequently I was treated with an interaction with an owner of the club on who's property I'd trespassed. [yikes! grammar??] Of course, I knew I was in the wrong, and yet, I hoped with a little compassion he could understand my very unfortunate dilemma and be forgiving. I approached him with this outlook and after he explained that I was on private property and that I could become a member in order to sit on the rock I'd found, we had a nice conversation about living in the area and where we were from and how horrid traffic could be... In the end he ever so gracefully offered that I stay this time as a guest and wished me a safe drive home. Very sweet, and so wonderful to have a humane connection with someone kind amidst the craziness of rush-hour!

I got home with just enough time to put away the groceries and gather my things for my tutor/mentor session with my 14 and 17 year old buddies. We found agreeable study music and were able to engage in group support even though we were each studying different things. A study group makes a world of a difference, I think, and what a wonderful way to exchange support and ideas while providing an example of responsibility and applicable study methods. Lighting, music, physical comfort, tea, the right tools (pens, calculator, computer, timer); all these contribute to a supportive study environment. 

My debate for the week is how to handle the many work study job offers I received. I've had to exercise my newfound sense of clarity and integrity of self by turning down a couple offers that I really wanted, and who I knew really wanted me, but wouldn't work for me in the end. I'm normally not great at saying no, for fear of disappointing others, but these days I need to stay clear, focused, honest, and on-task. It felt so good to make the phone call where I expressed gratitude, as well as regret, for having to turn down the job. However, I'm still looking at three more positions and need to decide whether I'd like to juggle two (as only one of the three will offer all the hours I require), whether I want to stay on campus or not, whether I'm going to be able to actually do homework on the clock, what kind of environment I want to be in, the type of people I'd like to work with, and where I want to make connections: in a public health clinic, or in the science department at the school. There is much to be debated and it seems I need to make a decision soon! Tomorrow is the last interview, then I'll have to decide.

I'm not sure what this blog is becoming at this point. I suppose it's more of my musings and reflections of my experiences as a student studying occupational therapy. But I do believe there will be key ideas and resources shared throughout my experience that I hope others can gain from. I don't know how to set up the email-follow-link-thing at this point but I'll work on that... 

And So It Begins

I was encouraged by my mentor to start my own OT blog as I read through all the resources available to me online following my orientation into OT grad school last week. As such a dynamic field, there is constantly new information following research, new diagnoses, and experiences with more and more clients. I imagine there will be so much learned and shared throughout my career as a student and into the field! Of course, it is essential I am cautious of HIPPA laws and will absolutely respect all clients and sites where I take on fieldwork.

I want to start this blog with an intention to reach the world of OT and beyond with relevant experiences, applicable tools, useful wisdom, and grounded encouragement. Starting grad school feels like an amazing endeavor (day one is tomorrow! we'll see how I feel at the end of the week...) and I know it will come with endless challenges as well as tremendous rewards. I would love to track my experiences and share data, research, resources, and tips through this blog, checking in every couple weeks (at minimum once a month). I am eager to simply track my own progress but I also desire to reach the world of OT students who are heading down a similar path and want to make the most of their work.

At orientation I heard some key phrases (said to the whole group) that stuck with me:
>You are the ones who made it here today. You did the work, passed the classes and exams, wowed interviewers, wrote the essays. You deserve to be here and we're here to help you succeed.
>Occupational therapists have a desire to help people, help each other.
>There isn't anyone in here who doesn't want to succeed at being great at their work, work together to make that happen.
>(Following strict guidelines for the program, such as a list of professional behaviors required starting *today* in the classroom including: being a self-directed learner, clarifying and asking questions, participating, accepting criticism and applying it, putting forth our best effort, doing reading and assignments ahead of time to prepare for class, etc.) We (faculty) really want to see you succeed, we are on your team and when we point out your weaknesses, it is your job to correct them. Ultimately though, we want you to succeed.

For me, success as a grad student starts with healthy habits. Starting tonight, the routine is shifting, consistent bedtime and morning wake up calls! Grad School, here I come!