If entering a career in occupational travel therapy is your dream, the first step is completing all your schooling. Becoming an occupational therapist requires earning a postgraduate degree. According to The American Occupational Therapy Association, students can get their master's or go on to get their doctorate, and both routes require plenty of studying. Use this guide to get through the classwork so you can break into your career:
Just get through your first semester
Sarah Lyon, a blogger who has taken this educational path, says that initial semester is the most challenging. In fact, she was ready to quit come mid-year. It left her with a mixed understanding of what occupational therapy really was, and the transition to more difficult classes was tough. However, she persevered and is glad she made it through. Plus, she now has a better understanding of what caused those first frustrations. Even if that semester leaves you feeling unsure, give it a little more time – you're just in the learning stages.
Find your best note-taking strategy
Writing down everything the professor says during a lecture may work for some students, but it's not the only route. If you find that taking notes verbatim isn't your thing, try different options until you find what works for you. In her blog, Kimberly, a Master of Occupational Therapy student, suggested drawing pictures to better understand concepts. You might also benefit from taking an audio recording of the lectures or rewriting notes when you get home.
Use a reward system
While the long-term goal for studying hard in occupational therapy school is to enter a career you love, rewarding yourself along the way can motivate you to keep going. For example, let yourself go on social media after completing an hour of studying, or pick up your favorite coffee from the local coffee shop before diving into your homework.
Build relationships with your professors
Stay after class, go to those student-faculty meet and greets or send an email just to introduce yourself. Whatever you do, make sure the professor knows your name. This way, you'll feel more comfortable asking questions in class or staying late to get some extra help. Professors can put complex ideas into easier to understand concepts than the textbook and can give you some tips for getting through school – they've already been through it, after all.