Episode Summary
There are many steps to becoming an occupational therapist, starting with completing an occupational therapy program. Rachel comes back on the show today to share her OT journey thus far as we catch her only days away from starting a graduate occupational therapy program. It’s an exciting time for her, but she’s also nervous as she will be meeting her classmates and professors in the next few days. We chat about what has happened since the last time we chatted and what she is looking forward to within the next few months.
Show Notes
Sarah and Rachel discuss:
- Link to first episode with Rachel: www.ot4lyfe.com/13
- What her orientation looked like
- The emotional rollercoaster it was applying to OT schools
- What it felt like to get the acceptance letter into an OT program?
- Appreciating when things don’t always go as planned
- Volunteering not just in OT settings to understand the bigger picture
- Being a floater in a hospital
- Hippotherapy with a physical therapist
- Getting a snapshot of our lives through the podcast
- Fieldwork Mini Series: https://ot4lyfe.com/4
- Advice for pre-OT students
- What Rachel is most excited for about OT school and what she is most nervous about
- Importance of building and growing your professional community as a student
- Adjusting to changes in schedule and in life because of being in school
- Pre-OT Success: https://otgrowth.com/
- Standing out in you application
- Moving from an atmosphere of competition during applications to collaboration within a program
- Rachel turning the table on Sarah and asking her a few questions
- Embracing the time you have in school
- Paying attention to your self care while in school
- How to be confident in asking questions
- Getting involved in student leadership groups