Sara Emira, Second-year MScOT student, U of T Mississauga
What time do you wake up, and what’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Most days I wake up between 5 and 6 a.m. to pray and then sleep in until 7 or 8 a.m., depending on what time classes start that day. Wednesdays are protected research time this term, so I let myself sleep in until 9:30 a.m. My friends and I have a tradition of getting to campus 30 minutes before class and spending some time together before tackling all our commitments, which has been great for our mental health.
What classes are you currently taking? What have been your favourite courses in the program?
The first year of the program focused on building our clinical and scientific foundations. Second year is more focused on interventions and application. We also have a full-year research capstone course.
My favourite courses so far have been Neurological Foundations and Mental Health Foundations. In the Mental Health Foundations course, we had to plan and conduct a group therapy session for one of our assignments and it was a pivotal moment in my career journey.
As for this year, I’m really excited as I’m going to be conducting qualitative research on racism in the profession with one of my close friends. It’s a topic we’re both passionate about and we’re lucky to have amazing supervisors, so I can’t wait to see how this project unfolds.
Where was your most recent clinical placement and what is one thing you learned there?
My most recent fieldwork placement was at the Child Development Centre at Michael Garron Hospital where I worked within two programs – the neonatal follow-up clinic and the autism early intervention program. My biggest lesson was that sessions won’t always go as planned and that you have to learn to improvise on the spot. It was definitely stressful, but it helped me become much quicker on my feet. Handling babies was another learning curve, but the cuddles made the struggles worth it!
How do you manage your time and stay organized?
I use Notion to plan out my weekly commitments and try to keep my routine consistent from week to week. Doing this and tracking how much I accomplished each week helped me figure out how much work I can realistically get done in a day without burning myself out. I also try to summarize and review my class notes day by day so they don’t pile up.
What do you do to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?
Each week, I have a designated “no work” day – typically Fridays after class – which I spend doing things I enjoy with friends and family. I also sign up for a sports league each semester to make sure I have a fixed athletic commitment each week.
What advice do you have for students who are just entering the program?
Have goals but also keep an open mind. I came into the program with a goal to eventually pursue a PhD and thought I wanted to be a pediatric or neuro occupational therapist. I’m so glad I didn’t limit myself to opportunities within pediatrics and academia because I’ve come to learn that I love the area of mental health. My other tip is to use your student status to your advantage. There are so many free resources that are available to you while you’re in school and it’s much easier to find mentors and support as a student, so try to explore some of those avenues when you have time.
Priya Bhardwaj, Second-year MScOT student, U of T Mississauga
What time do you wake up, and what’s the first thing you do in the morning?
As my commute to the Mississauga campus is an hour and a half, I typically wake up at 6 a.m. every morning to make my 9 a.m. classes. The first thing I do in the morning is stretch and listen to a YouTube video on anything I find interesting and then I eat and get ready for my day.
What classes are you currently taking? What have been your favourite courses in the program?
My favourite courses in the program have been Neurological Foundations and Musculo-Skeletal Foundations. Both courses were quite engaging and readily applicable to real life situations. Having a foundational understanding of body mechanics and internal systems was quite valuable during placement as well.
Where was your most recent clinical placement and what is one thing you learned there?
My most recent clinical placement was at Credit Valley Hospital in the inpatient stroke and neurological rehabilitation unit. It was rewarding to collaborate with patients and I learned how much creativity comes into play when figuring out ways to help patients re-engage in their daily occupations.
How do you manage your time and stay organized?
The program is fast-paced and densely packed with material. I find myself heavily relying on a planner to organize assignment due dates, test dates and daily tasks that I must complete. I try to manage my time by breaking down assignments and into manageable pieces.
What do you do to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?
I set clear boundaries between school responsibilities and personal life. I try not to do any schoolwork past 8 p.m. and give myself time to relax before the next school day.
What advice do you have for students who are just entering the program?
My advice for students who are just entering the program is to have fun, be curious, and do not be afraid to ask questions. I implore new students to explore what occupational therapy has to offer and work towards finding what population to provide healthcare to resonates with them.
Jenny Ying, Second-year MScOT student, U of T St. George
What time do you wake up, and what’s the first thing you do in the morning?
When we don’t have early classes, I usually wake up at 8:30 a.m. and eat a quick snack before I head over to the gym. I find it really helpful to get some movement in right when I start my day as it helps boost my energy levels and helps me stay focused. When we do have 9 a.m. class, I get up at 7:45 a.m. and do my skincare routine as the first step in the morning (wear sunscreen everyone!). However, I wouldn’t be truthful if I omit the part where I go on my phone for 10 minutes right after opening my eyes.
What classes are you currently taking? What have been your favourite courses in the program?
Currently, I am taking Enabling Occupations with Children, Enabling Occupations with Adults, and Enabling Occupations with Older Adults along with the other students in my OT2 cohort. We are also enrolled in a year-long research course where we conduct our own research projects with a partner. I am also taking a Healthcare Consulting course at the Rotman School of Management where I work in a small team with classmates from different graduate programs.
So far, my favourite courses in the program are Musculoskeletal Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice and our Mental Health Foundations course. These classes expanded my understanding of anatomy and mental health in ways I hadn’t previously considered. As I enter Year 2, I believe the knowledge I gained from these courses has laid a strong groundwork for my future career as an occupational therapist.
Where was your most recent clinical placement and what is one thing you learned there?
My most recent fieldwork placement was at Toronto Rehab – University Centre, where I worked in an in-patient multisystem and musculoskeletal rehabilitation unit. It was an immensely valuable learning experience with a lot of hands-on opportunities, which allowed me to gain more insight into the role and scope of occupational therapy.
The most important thing I learned there was that there is no better way to learn the profession than by diving headfirst into the field. My preceptor and the other amazing therapists were supportive and gave me a lot of guidance, but I was also given a lot of independence and responsibility. By being immersed in the professional environment, I was able to absorb a wealth of knowledge about occupational therapy that I would not have gotten if I was just observing from the sidelines.
How do you manage your time and stay organized?
I religiously use Google Calendar and to-do lists to keep track of everything that needs to be done – I would not be this far in my academic career without it! I would also be lying if I didn’t admit that sometimes a bit of sleep is sacrificed in order to get everything done on time – I’m sure other students can relate.
What do you do to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?
In this program, I have met some of the most wonderful, kind, compassionate, and fun people that I have ever encountered, and I consider myself very fortunate to call many of them my friends! Since most of us are from out-of-town and living in a new city, we naturally end up spending a ton of time together. I find that my friendships and social connections really help me maintain a healthy work-life balance and handle the pressures of the program.
What advice do you have for students who are just entering the program?
For many of us, we have had to work extremely hard in our previous programs to get here, so sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae—like how you performed on an exam or the little details you missed on an assignment. My advice would be to not worry so much about grades and just focus on extracting practical insights from your learning and applying them in your future practice. Also, don’t forget to make time for fun experiences with your friends! These two years are going to fly by, and you’ll likely remember the blast you had with friends on the weekends more vividly than the hours spent inside working on papers.
Sarah Watson, Second-year MScOT student, U of T St. George
What time do you wake up, and what’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Typically, I wake up around 6 a.m. to get ready before commuting downtown. The first thing I do in the morning is make coffee (and drink a lot of it)!What classes are you currently taking? What have been your favourite courses in the program?
Currently, I am taking Enabling Occupation in Adults Part 1, Enabling Occupation in Older Adults Part 1, and Enabling Occupation in Children Part 1. My favourite course so far has probably been Neuroanatomy! I completed my bachelor’s degree in medical biophysics so I find the anatomy-based courses to be a steep learning curve but I’ve gained a surplus of knowledge.Where was your most recent clinical placement and what is one thing you learned there?
My most recent clinical placement was at Credit Valley Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Neonatal Follow-up Clinic. I had a fantastic preceptor who contributed to me absolutely LOVING this placement and reaffirmed my love for pediatrics. One thing I learned from this placement is the integral role that occupational therapy plays in bridging science and medicine with empathy and compassion. Working with new parents and engaging in emotional conversations enhanced my understanding of the therapeutic role that occupational therapists play.How do you manage your time and stay organized?
This is still a work in progress for me. I use my Google calendar religiously and slot in self-care activities as well as important classes and meetings (e.g. lunch with friends or gym time). I work two part-time jobs so I try to plan my week well in advance, if possible, and take it one day at a time.What do you do to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?
As a commuter, I use my time on the train as regular “down-time” where I read a book or listen to a podcast without thinking about work or school. I have family and friends to spend time with when I’m stressed, and I often rely on fitness to manage stress. I also try my best to get adequate sleep — it is a work in progress!What advice do you have for students who are just entering the program?
Two years go by very fast! Relax and know that you will be successful even if you struggle on one or two assignments. Try your best to network and make connections on your placements, especially if you have a placement you really enjoy. Last but not least, enjoy the friendships you make in school…a lot of us have shared interests and it is great to learn from one another.