Hi all! I'm about to start an OTD hybrid program in less than a month (January2024) and I would love any advice on how to be successful in school or even some words of encouragement! Thanks!
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Unknown member
Dec 30, 2023
Hi. I hope copying and pasting will allow you to see my post. Wishing you much success!
Hey, it's amazing you get to participate in this program! I'm studying OT at a university in Vienna in the first semester. What I can recommend you so far is to be curious, ask questions and to reach out to your colleagues. Building relationships with colleagues is important in order to be able to support each other. This can be useful in many situations like preparing for exams.
Being a student is your superpower - don't be afraid to reach out to others as a learner! It is a safe space to ask questions and build relationships with others in academic and clinical spaces. Leverage social media and communities of practice.
Use a reference management software! There are good free options (e.g. Zotero), and your institution may also give you access to some that are normally not free. This will help you with formatting references AND will help you find resources as you progress through your program (I remember I read something about that in first term...) because you can search by keyword in your own reference library - much more efficient than searching on PubMed! Most let you save notes and tags too. It really will help you to work smarter.
Writing is a key skill, so pay attention to it. Trade drafts with a partner for feedback, and pay attention to your writing and not just content. I highly recommend this easy-to-read resource from Lingard and Watling - see if your library has it available, or ask a librarian for a recommendation on something similar. Lingard, L., & Watling, C. (2021). Story, Not Study: 30 Brief Lessons for Health Researchers as Writers (Vol. 19). Springer. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71363-8 If you don't have access to it, search for Lingard, Lorelei on PubMed and you will find a series of open access papers that cover similar topics in a #MedEd journal.
Good luck, and welcome to the amazing OT community!
"My advice: demonstrate interest. Take notes (even if you know the internet inside-out), ask all the questions; no question is a dumb question. Be genuine."
Hi @swex2705 - whilst not specific to OTD programs, take a look at some more general guidance on the Hub's 'A Career in Occupational Therapy' page. Specifically, click on the 'What makes a successful occupational therapy practitioner?' FAQ and have a look at '13 Essential Characteristics of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants'. These tips are more about being a great practitioner - but if you keep them in mind during your program, it'll put you in the right mindset!
Good luck! If you hit tough points on the journey, just remember why you chose this rewarding, varied career!
Hi. I hope copying and pasting will allow you to see my post. Wishing you much success!
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7144259809586946048?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7144259809586946048%2C7146630096999575552%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287146630096999575552%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7144259809586946048%29
Hey, it's amazing you get to participate in this program! I'm studying OT at a university in Vienna in the first semester. What I can recommend you so far is to be curious, ask questions and to reach out to your colleagues. Building relationships with colleagues is important in order to be able to support each other. This can be useful in many situations like preparing for exams.
I wish you all the best, you got this!
Being a student is your superpower - don't be afraid to reach out to others as a learner! It is a safe space to ask questions and build relationships with others in academic and clinical spaces. Leverage social media and communities of practice.
Use a reference management software! There are good free options (e.g. Zotero), and your institution may also give you access to some that are normally not free. This will help you with formatting references AND will help you find resources as you progress through your program (I remember I read something about that in first term...) because you can search by keyword in your own reference library - much more efficient than searching on PubMed! Most let you save notes and tags too. It really will help you to work smarter.
Writing is a key skill, so pay attention to it. Trade drafts with a partner for feedback, and pay attention to your writing and not just content. I highly recommend this easy-to-read resource from Lingard and Watling - see if your library has it available, or ask a librarian for a recommendation on something similar. Lingard, L., & Watling, C. (2021). Story, Not Study: 30 Brief Lessons for Health Researchers as Writers (Vol. 19). Springer. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71363-8 If you don't have access to it, search for Lingard, Lorelei on PubMed and you will find a series of open access papers that cover similar topics in a #MedEd journal.
Good luck, and welcome to the amazing OT community!
A comment from Sylvia on LinkedIn:
"My advice: demonstrate interest. Take notes (even if you know the internet inside-out), ask all the questions; no question is a dumb question. Be genuine."
Hi @swex2705 - whilst not specific to OTD programs, take a look at some more general guidance on the Hub's 'A Career in Occupational Therapy' page. Specifically, click on the 'What makes a successful occupational therapy practitioner?' FAQ and have a look at '13 Essential Characteristics of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants'. These tips are more about being a great practitioner - but if you keep them in mind during your program, it'll put you in the right mindset!
Good luck! If you hit tough points on the journey, just remember why you chose this rewarding, varied career!
Thanks for reaching out! We'll bring your forum to the attention of fellow Members in the coming week, to prompt some advice.