The Occupational Therapy Student Survival Guide

When I recall how I felt after the OT student orientation, I have 3 words for it: exhausted, overwhelmed, and confused. So I asked some of the students from Cohort 4 to provide some tips on how to survive in the OT world you just got yourself into!


1. Going to office hours is very helpful. Especially if you have very specific questions! Sometimes it gets too confusing if you try to put it in an email.

2. Getting work done ahead of time is helpful. More time for fun! (and more time to rush an assignment if you forgot one of them…)

3. In the beginning of each semester gather all syllabi for each class and record in your planner (preferably one that has both monthly and weekly calendar displays) all assignments, papers, and group projects do for the semester. By having this blueprint, you'll be able to manage your time to complete assignments. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

4. No need to buy a fancy calendar! You can print out the calendar (Weekly or Monthly) for free at the Computer Lab using Microsoft Publisher. Then cut and paste from the syllabus and you’re all set! (Mac users have it too.)

5. Try to assemble a list of all the books needed for the semester prior to going to the bookstore to provide ease of buying the books needed in as less trips as possible.

6. Ask the previous cohort if they have any books to sell. It’s usually cheaper and no shipping charge!

7. Have an APA cheat sheet. You will always need it for citing sources and references. The most commonly used are: Citing journals with 1 or more authors and books with one or more authors.

8. Pack a healthy lunch and enough snacks for a day of classes. It will help you save money and keep your energy up for the day. If you forget snacks, use the OT snack shop because it's WAY cheaper than the campus stores.

9. Build rapport with your classmates and pay attention to your peers work ethics and styles, as you will eventually work with everyone in your sections.

10. When having a choice in working with people, choose wisely; especially when deciding your research groups, as you will be working with those people for the remainder of the program.

11. Take advantage of the student health services (free flu shots, paps, etc.) since a fee is included upon registration.

12. Prevent backache and space issues by investing in a rolley backpack.

13. Having a laptop is not necessary but highly convenient.

14. Find a reliable buddy to stay up-to-date with assignment deadlines and tests dates.

15. Most articles that you may need for written projects are available online. Study how the online library database works and remember which journal database has been most helpful to you.

16. Make use of your $7 free printing at the computer lab at Welch Hall (that’s about 140 free prints!)

17. The library computer lab also allows you to print 20 more pages.

18. Have a good way of keeping files. Most people use a flash drive but be careful not to lose it! Or have a back-up in your email just in case you forget to unplug it from the computer.

19. Parking is usually free the first week of class during Fall and Spring semester but NOT Summer! You have to buy a permit immediately for Summer semester.

20. Find a carpool buddy! It saves you gas and you get to drive on the carpool lane (especially if you need to get on the 110…)

21. Get your act together early in the semester! Refine your strategies and techniques in completing assignments and projects and how to study for the test because once your first semester ends, you always start the next semester immediately.