Metamorphosis

After an extremely exhausting and overwhelming week, I sit here grateful for my opportunity to study such a challenging, innovative and distinctly unique course.

I however realise that with such a course as this, I definitely need to begin my ‘continuous research’ journey in order to grow myself as a therapist who is now implementing treatment and dealing with real cases.

I have very minimal strengths to discuss, as I am feeling more confident, but I feel I am still learning how to treat patients, learning about each condition’s precautions and all that OT treatment entails. My strength lies in the relationships I am able to develop with my patients. A therapeutic relationship is extremely important for the patient to gain trust and therefore, engage meaningfully in therapy. I feel as though I have good people-skills which enables me to connect with my clients.

I’d like to define my weaknesses as my ‘problem list’. I am going to put great effort into improving these areas day by day, going forward. I am still learning to cope with the criticism that university throws at you. It humbles you greatly to hear so much criticism, after hours and hours of preparation and effort. However, a lot of my effort consists of my own opinion and not on the facts according to researched literature, proving the points for me. At the moment I feel like a butterfly trying to release from my cocoon, but I am confined by my own barriers preventing me from reaching new heights.

I am now going to list my ‘problem areas’ and explain how I will improve on them

Organisation and time management: It will help me greatly if I file my prac notes and organise my typed documents into a folder, so that it is easier to find them when I need them. I feel I manage my time reasonably well, but that I should manage it further to allow for increased researching and practise in order to be completely committed to my studies, so that I improve.

Planning: I learnt a new skill today, from my supervisor, which I feel will be very effective. By planning a therapy session step-by-step and writing a small note to guide you, it will prevent the therapist from having to come back to things and ensure a more efficient, successful therapy session.

Researching: I have realised the importance of research and finding evidence-based facts to support your statements. I am going to discuss, with classmates, the websites which they use and find to be effective, as I have struggled to develop the skill of researching. I am also going to get more books from the library and order Trombly as a hard copy.

Presentation skills: I have realised I get extremely nervous before presenting, as I get worried that I will not get through all the content. My pitch therefore becomes shaky. I will improve on this by creating a word document and practising my speech multiple times, with my father’s advice and help.

The following aspects are the most important summarized strategies of successful students, which I am going to make certain I consider carefully as I continue my studies in this degree and unlock my potential.

1.       Get organized.

2.       Divide it up and have a strategic action plan.

3.       Be proactive.

4.       Sleep well.

5.       Set a schedule.

6.       Ask questions.

7.       Develop resilience.

I met a 67-year-old doctor this evening, whilst babysitting. She is still practising and mainly working with rheumatoid arthritis patients in paediatrics. She therefore works very closely with OT’s and Physios.  She was so inspirational and spoke such positivity into me, which has motivated me to give the rest of this block my all and achieve my goal of becoming a paediatric OT.

I find OT to be an extremely stressful, overwhelming course which causes much anxiety for the students. This doctor encouraged me to work hard and reward myself with something I enjoy, as I get through each week. I am going to continue to set goals for myself as a therapist and I hope to see improvement in my intervention strategies each week as a result of this. 

Refernces:

1.      Opportunity International. (2019) 10 Habits of Successful students. https://opportunity.org/learn/lists/10-habits-of-successful-students#.XJKVD6SxWEc

2.      Dr Haig, J&B. (2018). What Makes a Successful Student? https://thehaigtwins.com/makes-successful-student/

3.     Healing Wings. (2018). https://healingwingstherapy.ca/welcome-to-healing-wings-therapeutic-services/