Spring 2015 Semester Wrap Up

OMMGGG! Can you believe that I have OFFICIALLY completed my first year of grad school!!!??? I can't. It has definitely been an interesting year to say the least. It started off with anatomy, which was doable of course, but also very fast paced, stressful, and difficult.

Then, there was the fall semester which actually wasn't too bad. The courses themselves and the assignments, tests, projects -- all that, were very manageable. The only thing was my mind wasn't right so my motivation was below sea level. If your mind isn't where it should be the simplest of tasks become difficult.

Finally, there was the spring semester, which challenged me in many many ways. It was uncomfortable, but a much needed experience for both personal and professional growth. I have always understood the importance of being able to work well in a group, but it is something that I have always struggled with. This semester we had crap loads of group projects. I worked well in the groups that were just me and one other person, but the ones with 3 or 4 people to a group were stressful because the dynamics were sometimes off. I'm slowly learning to choose my battles and which projects are okay for me to take a more passive go with the flow role. I wouldn't label myself a perfectionist, but I take pride in quality work. It doesn't have to be perfect, but I like to give my best effort. Another thing that challenged me was "patient" interaction. In my blog post "Looking Beyond Conditions & Physical Interactions," I talked about the awkwardness I felt while interacting with clients at the ADC and how I struggled with feeling inadequate. During this time, I was also going through a "crisis." There were a series of events, that now I am unable to recall, that really challenged me and made me feel incompetent and I had a small break down. It was really bothering me because I have never felt so inadequate in my life and I didn't like how it felt -- very unsettling. As a result, I bought a ton of books with money I didn't really have, in an effort to soothe my discomfort. Three of the books pictured below are actually books required for the summer semester. I will picture them separately in my next blog post when I tell you about my summer semester adventures lol. But anyways, the other 13 books are completely supplementary. 

Row by Row; Right to Left:

(1) Stepping Into Handwriting, Creek's Occupational Therapy and Mental Health 6th ed., The Intentional Relationship, Documentation Manual for Occupational Therapy,

(2) Quick Reference Occupational Therapy, Quick Reference Dictionary for Occupational Therapy, Therapeutic Exercise Foundations and Techniques, Assistive Technologies

(3) Critical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy,  Optimizing Cognitive Rehabilitation, Activity Analysis Application to Occupation, Physical Agent Modalities

(4) Occupation-Based Activity Analysis, The Successful Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Student, The Wheelchair Evaluation, Spanish for the Occupational Therapist

The tests and content covered were also much more difficult. In preparation for the NBCOT exam, the professors have given us 3x more "NBCOT style"questions on tests and quizzes. There were quite a few tests that I felt no bueno about when I handed in my test. Fortunately, in the end, everything turned out well and I was able to pull through with all A's. One of the courses, " Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice" was combined with "Intro to Clinical Reasoning" and was counted as a Pass/Fail. 

This summer, we start our first fieldwork I rounds so I am definitely ready for a change in pace. I will give you more details in my next blog post!

<3 Bemo 

2nd Adult Day Center Experience

You will have to bear with me through this post because although it's not late, I'm extremely tired. So, anyways, in a previous post entitled "Looking Beyond Conditions & Physical Interactions" I mentioned that my last experience at the adult day center (ADC) was a hot mess and highly frustrating. I felt very incompetent and my weaknesses were definitely highlighted within the 3 hours that I was there.

I told you guys that if I had time I would let ya'll know how it went this time around. So, my partner and I had 2 "clients" -- the same 2 as last time. Prior to going to the ADC, I texted her and asked which client she wanted to be primarily over. After talking with my professor, I felt that this would be a good idea since I didn't get to participate much in the questioning or interact much with either client. She texted me back her choice and I told her I would take care of the one left. Because I was very anxious about going to the ADC out of fear of messing up or making a fool of myself again, I felt the need to prepare, prepare, prepare. Since this time around we would actually be performing assessments with the clients, I practiced the assessments by recording myself talking to space (my imaginary person). I also took the time to make some reference sheets that I could take with me to help guide my assessments. It was much of the same information in the manual but without all the unnecessary fluff and with a much bigger font size. Here are a few examples of the sheets I made: (you may have to click on the picture to see it better)

Digit Span Test: Forward Span 

Cognitive Performance Test: Shopping

Cut this paper in half and used it to help guide Activity Card Sort

Toggle Category Assessment 

I was so glad that I took the time to make these because it helped my assessments go pretty smooth! The only assessment that I did not make a sheet for was the ACLS-5 (Allen Cognitive Level  Screen - 5). My experience at the ADC was MUCH MUCH MUCH better this time around. I also got 2 hugs from two other members of the ADC. Another two people asked me to come sit with them. I told them that I would after I met with one more person (I didn't see a reason not too). Unfortunately, after I finished writing up all my notes, they were heading home :(. Oh well! The lady that I was working with had me write in her notebook what we did with the Activity Card Sort so that she could show her house parents. I'm not even sure if what I wrote many any sense! lol I was focused so much on getting through the assessments that I'm sure it ended up being gibberish. Plus, she made me sign it, so there is no denying that...yup that was me...and yeah I know what I wrote probably made no sense. 

Well i'm going to go ahead and get to bed. I'm going to a CEU from 8:30am - 5pm. Obviously I can't get CEU's but I like when going when I can because you get good information!

Ttyl <3