Recharging our batteries

Recharging my batteries

I've been thinking a lot over the last week about batteries and how as an individual, I use my energy. Anyone who is close to me will know, I'm always tired, but for me It is almost normal to feel that way, it's like a faulty battery as such, no matter how much rest I get, I don't seem to stay charged for very long - Almost the impact of charging your iPhone with the iPad charger (If you have an iPhone and an iPad - don't do this! it wrecks the battery!), It does charge the phone, surprisingly fast but the charge doesn't stay long which creates problems... i.e. it doesn't last the day! During term time, this is how my energy works and for a lot of the day I feel I'm on the low battery alert, seeking out a charging point. 

I've been on 'summer holidays' for the last few weeks and thankfully have a few more to go before going back to university for my second year. I'm trying to balance fitting in all the other little things, I didn't have time to do during term time with getting enough rest time to really recharge my battery stockpile for feeling charged enough to start my final year. Yes anyone that knows me well, will say I'm always tired, they will probably also tell you how I like to be busy and doing things with my time so it's a challenge for me to sit and rest. 

I'm trying though, a work in progress... Now to 'veg' out Kelly style with a massive cup of hot chocolate and a book. 

Until next term... 

Week 40: Creative Reflection

Key Term: Creative Reflection & Group Working

This week allowed the class to reflect on one of this terms modules 'Applied OT', in a creative way. It also gave us a chance to reflect in groups as we created our canal metaphor of our journey. I was surprised by how positive an experience this was - being able to bounce ideas and thoughts of other certainly helped my look at my journey this term.


Not sure if you can tell by the picture but it's a canal that we are metaphorically travelling down... It starts with us at the start of the module in February with the knowledge we had from out first placement and two modules from last term... the bridge represents linking theory to practice in the first part of the module and sometimes the difficulty we had in doing so, the tunnel represents being out on placement and almost in a darker place as we are on our own without our classmates but there is also a light guiding us through and that is the skills we have learnt in the classroom and from each other. there canal after that point repressed that the sun is starting to shine and we are starting to feel like it makes sense... Just the presentation to get through before going under the rainbow at the end of the module.


I'm at a point now where I know I have a massive hurdle to overcome before the end of term i.e. the dreaded 30 minute individual assessed presentation. I have actually been worrying about this since starting the course in September as I've always (since as far back as I can remember) had a fear of public speaking! But I know i do need to do this! I am purposely writing this in my blog post because if I don't I feel I'm just going to be in complete denial about having to do it! I can do this!!!


I have also found this week exhausting, and I'm thankful for a week away from uni this coming week.. there is still so much work to do on my presentation, not to mention my research proposal before meeting my supervisor on 7th July! But its a week without commuting which I'm so happy about!


I'm reminded this week of how thankful I am to have chosen a university that has such supportive staff and that try to encourage us as much as they can! Always a plus when a tutor brings chocolate and crafts to a reflective session! Made worrying about the presentation a little less awful!


Until next time!
I hope you all have a good week!

Week 38: Back to uni

Week 38

Key Term: Campus is a Ghost Town

... and we are back! 

This week is the start of our last section of first year with the start of 5 weeks of classes and 2 assignments due before the August. It felt strange to be back in uni especially since the campus was really empty as most students are finished for the summer holidays. It was great to meet up with classmates again and learn from each others experiences on placement.

We also had probably the sunniest day of the year so far this week which certainly had an impact on my motivation to do uni work. But I'm plodding through it this weekend with the weather being slightly more dull. 


For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Week 31: PP2.3

Key Term: Research & Evidence Based Practice 

[PP2 Week 3]

It's been an exciting week at placement for me as it has allowed me to start taking more responsibility for parts of the OT process and also learn some more about different moving and handling equipment such as 4 way glide sheets which can aid with moving and handling for carers. 

My study day on Tuesday was spent at the 2nd year MSc OT dissertation conference (#uocOT) which I really benefited from - I'm planning to blog on this separately so look out for that. An extra highlight of the day was getting to meet 2 Twitter contacts in person, one of which was just a chance meeting and reminds me how small the OT world can be and the benefits social media can play in connecting us all together. 

[Peer Support when on Placement]

One of the things Ive been reflecting in this week is support networks when on placement. Last placement I was lucky to be staying in the same accommodation as a friend from uni and also had the chance to meet up regularly with another few people from immediate social group at uni. Whereas this placement we are so far apart its not really possible. I don't think I realised how positive having them there to bounce ideas off was, until I don't have it, this would a line with Daniels (2010) research into peer interaction whilst on placement. However her research looked at the benefits of online discussion to enable this, I feel from my experience that I'm missing the face to face support you get to enable that interaction and discussion - sometimes texting/messaging just doesn't cut it when your trying to explain your experiences.  I was thankful to be able to see Vicky and Janet on Tuesday at the conference to share how we are getting on and share advice with each other.

Now to start week 4 - I can't believe how fast this placement is going...

References 

Daniels N (2010) Peer interactions and their benefits during occupational therapy practice placement education. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(1), 21-28.

Week 30: PP2.2

Week 30: PP2.2

Key Term:  Lots to do... 

[PP2 Week 2]

Week 2 on placement always feels more controllable in the respect that you start to work out how the setting you are in works and thankfully start to remember who people are, which is a bonus as I'm rubbish at remembering names.

Starting to get to grips with the assessment and services and equipment the department provide... it felt like a really quick week in the end.

[Research...]

I'm starting to try and refine my idea for my research and scholarships module proposal that is due in August... Thankful for support of a supervisor at uni (Such a good move from UoC to allocate the dissertation supervisor earlier to be with you through the whole process, instead of just after you have submitted your proposal.), too many ideas but have managed to scrap a few ideas that although interested me, didn't really add anything to research base.

[#OTalk - Welcome Kelly OTea Party]

This Tuesday was also my first #OTalk in the position of "Student Digital Leader Intern', which was a good experience, I really am looking forward to the opportunities that it will bring.


It's a short update this week as I'm fighting off a headache, so limiting my screen time!

For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Week 26: The week of the Solar Eclipse

Photo by Andrew Dickie
https://instagram.com/mybagispacked

Key Term: De-Escalate before you need to Breakaway...

I spent the first part of the week trying to shake the odd feeling that I have missed some prep somewhere.... This week's classes didn't have any prep which felt really strange after months of trying to squeeze all the reading in before getting to class. 

Placement Launch: 

We had our placement module launch on Thursday which was exciting, if not a little unnerving to think in a couple of weeks we are back out for 8 weeks. The placement profile has jumped up a few more places on the grid, which seems a BIG jump but in hindsight a lot of us where doing those things on PP1 anyways so I'm hoping that will lead us in good stead to get stuck in on PP2. 

I'm looking forward to another community placement in adult social care; I think it will lead on nicely from my community paediatrics placement but will also be quite different as it is council based rather than NHS. I imagine i will be seeing a lot of equipment and adaptions (Hopefully all the equipment I used as an assistant will give me a good starting knowledge). 

De-escalation and Breakaway Techniques:

Friday gave us the opportunity to discuss deescalation and practice breakaway techniques; It made me reflect on the challenges we may have when dealing with other humans in our day to day roles. We are privileged to work in such a diverse profession where we can work with people in such a range of settings but this could also lead us to work in challenging situations where we need to use deescalation and breakaway techniques; It strikes me that our abilities to read situations is crucial when working with clients and families. 

The Solar Eclipse:

This week also included the solar eclipse... Thankful to our tutor for letting us stand outside and watch it before starting Fridays session; Carlisle was quite cloudy but we still got the chance to see experience it, which was fab. I was quite young when the last solar eclipse happened, so remember the excitement but at age 11 don't remember much of the actual event! 

It's strange to think how much has changed in my life since the last eclipse - high school, college, university, work and now back in education! Life is full of surprises and experiences that change us and mould our future opportunities.

Week 18: PP1.3

Key Term: Expectations

[PP1 Week 3]

This week included the half way report and visit at placement; which I was a little concerned about as I didn't feel I had got involved enough in the OT process to meet the requirements; but by actually taking a step back and looking at it from another viewpoint I really hadn't had time to have the opportunities to get involved at this point in placement; mainly due to only having 9 days in placement when my report was written and it being the first placement. 

After talking to my visiting placement tutor and my educators, I did feel a lot better about it and was reassured this is a normal part of placement. It has led me to wonder what my expectations are for myself and if they are always realistic? I'll openly admit that I am a bit of perfectionist and do often feel that my best isn't good enough. It's a tough one, which I can't really find a balance for at the moment. All I do know is that for me I need to 'Be the best version of me that I can' I need to do the best I can as I go through life and hope that is good enough. 

This week did allow me to get more involved in the OT process, taking part in interventions and actually getting to see how occupational therapy is helping the children that my placement OTs come into contact with. I really enjoyed getting to be involved in the process and feel like I was helping the clients with their goals. I have also been able to help decide on SMART goals for some of the children, I have been getting to work with which is great but has allowed me to focus my own thoughts on the goals I set for my self and whether they are smart! 

• Specific – The goal needs to be specific as a pose to general!
• Measurable – The goal needs to be measurable so you can work out if it has been met
• Achievable – The goal needs to be able to be met... there no point in making wild goals if you can't achieve it
• Realistic – Is your goal realistic and able to be achieved?
• Time - what is your time frame to achieve this?

I'm looking forward to getting stuck into week 4 of placement when it starts on Monday, I have a few more treatment sessions planned with the OTTI/OTAs which will give me lots of opportunities for client skills to be developed. 


[Being a 'real' student]

Had a good evening mid week catching up with a few people from course which was nice to do. I didn't really think how much I'd miss seeing everyone from uni when we are all spread across the north of England/Isle of Man on placement. Seeing others from course does make me look forward to being back in uni in a few weeks even if that does mean more essays and presentations! 

Anyways I think I may have procrastinated enough for one day and I should go do some reading for my next uni assignment which the deadline for seems to be getting ever closer!



For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Week 16 - PP1.1

'Trying to brighten up my pin board in halls'

Key Term: Information Overload

[PP1 Week 1]

So the first week of PP1 has come and gone before I have had time to really catch my breath. As most of you will know from previous blog posts, my placement is in community paediatrics, which I have been really looking forward too. 

Week one has been fab if not completely tiring, but the team are great and have been really welcoming to me. I spent a lot of the week out on visits which has been good for getting an overview of what the team do in the community and the type of conditions the children have that they work with. This has giving me lots to think and read about over the week... 

As I go into week two I can already feel my confidence growing as I learn more about the conditions and how they use assessments with the children. 


[Being a 'real' student]

This week has also been week one of staying in 'halls' whilst I'm on placement, which is a first for me as I stayed at home during my first degree... and that has been an odd experience so far, I don't think I'm really accustom to having to go to a laundry room and pay to use the washing machine; and missing my home comforts loads.

I think its hard to prepare for placement normally, but having to move as well adds a little more stress and organisation to the mix which does take a little time to get used too but as the majority of my course mates are in the same boat I can't really moan too much about it, and I am lucky to have a fellow course mate in the same halls as me to keep me company and make sure I don't give myself food poisoning...

[Placement Blog Posts]

I plan to do a small blog post each week whilst on placement and then will do a longer one at the end to sum up... that's the plan at the moment anyways.

Week 2: First Proper Week of Teaching

Key Term: Occupational Therapy

I guess thats a bit of a cop out, as of course we will be learning about OT on an OT course... But this week we were learning about defining OT as a grounding for our learning.

We also spent some time learning about the history of both occupational therapy and occupational science and how they fit together and enhance practice.

I won't mention the frightening lecture on masters level writing!!!! 

This is a short update this week as I have a mountain of reading to get done.

Until next time from a very wet and rainy Carlisle Train station!! 

Working whilst Studying...

At our orientation day someone asked about how many hours we should expect to be putting into studying the MSc OT (pre-reg). I had always thought that I would be treating it as a full time job which is what the tutor confirmed.

My thoughts then turned to weighing up whether i can manage a part time job whilst studying. Financially i need to work but not necessarily a lot of hours but at least a few hours a week to make up for the minimal bursary that we are given. I'm grateful to have a husband who can support me and pay the bills etc but then that leaves us with little budget for living. 

I did plan to blog about hunting for a job; but thankful i have managed to find a relief support worker job pretty quickly and after my first interview. I have chosen to work in a relief position as this allows me the flexibility whilst studying so i can indeed put my studies first.

I know the next two years are going to feel manic but the end goal is truly worth it. 

Id love to hear from current students on how they get the balance right...