Season 1: Year 1

It's September 11, the second week of class. I've decided to record my experience as a graduate student studying occupational therapy before I forget this wonderfully rich environment of intellectuals full of hope and promise. I've already taken several courses ahead of time, so I'm limited from now on to the ones in progress and the ones that have yet to be.

Human Anatomy is the most time-consuming thus far. The professor is ready and willing to answer all our questions. He enjoys teaching, and it shows. We brushed up on the basics, an introduction to the body: the approaches to studying anatomy, the 11 systems, anatomical planes, terms of relationship and comparison, terms of movement. A brief brush up of each system. We're studying the body regionally. First, the thorax. Every part of the thorax is fair game unless otherwise noted by the professor. The material is not unmanageable, but when you have 5 or 6 other classes, it becomes a load pushing the comfort level. We're using Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 5th Ed. by Keith L. Moore and Arthur F. Dalley which can be found in Barnes and Noble on 5th Ave and 18th Street. This is where the textbooks are sold. It's small, stuffy, and a reminder that we students have limited funds and the extravagances of life are being put on hold until graduation.

Neuroscience is still a mystery. We have no textbook. All information will be provided to us in lectures. I'm a little nervous about this. When I'm rushed to write, my handwriting becomes illegicaly sloppy, my hand tightens and forms a power grasp on the puny pen. My first true lecture is this Thursday. More on that later.

Occupational Performance in Context is self-explanatory. It seems like a fun class with projects and a group presentation that will hopefully lighten spirit of the semester.

Performance and Development Across the Lifespan used to be called Biopsychosocial Maturation. Last year I couldn't remember that name; now it's the only one I do remember. We study human development. It's chock full of years that can seem confusing. If you're really interested, though, it should come easily. Just pretend you're watching a fast forward of a related child (son/daughter, cousin, niece/nephew). You have to be imaginative in this program.

I've already taken the New Student Seminar. You're taught about the campus, how to use online blackboard, library resources, OSHA requirements, and HIPPA. It's informative.

Activity Group Process teaches you how to run activity groups. Most of my classmates questioned this course. "When will we ever do this?" Our professor was an OT specializing in mental health. He pretty much informed us that conducted groups is not uncommon. Be prepared.

Foundations of OT gives us a history of the profession. We have a fun project and paper. It's pretty laid back and casual. Just enjoy.