Better late then never!

I've often sat on trains and thought of good themes for a blog entry but then ultimatley failed to translate these good intentions!  I'm disappointed I haven't captured more of my thoughts as I would now have a lovely rich reflective account.  Therefore instead of dwelling on my endless capacity to write virtual blogs or my outstanding ability to procrastinate I will commit to writing this blog more often!  I may even go so far as to put it in my diary to do! 

A lot has happened since my last blog entry in 2010.  Many more trips around the UK visiting occupational therapy students, numerous meetings to ensure students are well supported by the College, I've moved from one side of London to the other, I've visited Venice and had two amazing holidays in my favourite place, Scotland, watched the Jubilee regatta from a boat by the London Eye, visited Chicago and attended the American OT conference in Indianapolis.  I've become both a godmother and an Auntie and had a significant birthday!  I've presented a paper at the COT annual conference, given keynote presentations and written a recruitment strategy.  I've become an iPad owner and am fascinated by occupational science.  I've changed my hair style a few times and completed my MSc!  At the moment I'm preparing to leave my job at COT after 8 years to fulfil a long held ambition to become a occupational therapy lecturer.  At the end June I'll leave London and relocate to Plymouth in Devon where I will join the OT programme team at Plymouth University. 

I'm busy looking forward at the moment - sorting out the logistics of somewhere to live and attempting to imagine how my lifestyle will change.  While at the same time I'm enjoying looking back at all the amazing opportunities I have had while working at COT and based in London. 

The concept of 'transition' is something we are familiar with as occupational therapists so I'm attempting to utilise my professional knowledge and insight to ease my own transition.  Many final year occupational therapy students are on the brink of a similar transition - leaving University life and heading out into the world of work as qualified occupational therapists.  So I have opted to theme this year's fringe meeting at the COT annual conference on 'transitions' as it has personal meaning and is often a concept that can get overlooked when dealing with our own challenges and not just our service users.   I'm currently reading the article;  Blair S (2000) The Centrality of Occupation during Life Transitions, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(5), p231-236.

Having fallen rather quiet on here for the last few years, I'm determined to use this blog to chart my own new transition.  I'm hoping to capture my thoughts and reflections on leaving COT and becoming a university lecturer.  Although this will be my personal journey I hope in the process I will provide some food for thought and continue to illustrate you never know where  your occupational therapy careers will take you! 

If only there were a Trainmiles loyalty scheme

Greetings from London!  Back in my flat for a restful weekend before heading off for another week of University visits.  So far I've been to London South Bank University twice, Derby, Oxford, Plymouth, Southampton and Bournemouth...plus manned the College's stand at Naidex South at the ExCel Centre.  This next week features Carlisle and Lancaster on Monday and then Norwich and Aberdeen.  If you haven't spotted me on your timetable feel free to contact me and I can confirm when I might be pitching up!  I'm trying to remember to take photos of the various student groups I'm meeting so keep an eye on the Occupational Therapy Students: Get Connected Facebook group.  Don't forget you can request me as a friend on Facebook and follow me on Twitter via; COTstudents

The most memorable bits of my visits so far have been the power cut about 4 minutes into my presentation at Oxford Brookes University, meeting lots of new graduates at Naidex, braking my umbrella walking to Bournemouth University in a storm, almost loosing my voice before my presentation in Southampton and having a student at Salford contact me via Twitter to check if I was visiting her group.  I'm sure this week will include many more memorable moments.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed the planned tube strike doesn't impact on my journey on Monday morning - I have a 7.30am train to Carlisle to catch!!

Although I'm spending a lot of time on trains at the moment and my consumption of cappuccino and train station junk food has hit its annual high - I'm enjoying the chance to 'meet' so many OT students.  Places were very competitive this year - so you should be very proud.  And although I breeze in...and breeze out of your lecture theatres I'm already getting a sense that my profession is in safe hands.  Keep in touch and keep up the good work :-)



Who are you going to call? Stressbusters

I spotted an interesting article in the September edition of OTN about dealing with stress as a student.  Written by a forensic mental health occupational therapists it illustrates some research into the various coping strategies individuals employ at times of stress.  The top five strategies for dealing with stress were; 

1  talking to friends and family 

2  taking a break

3  exercising

4  seeking help to solve the problem

5  analysing the problem

When I reflect on the above I'm very good at 1 and 2....I'm getting back into 3 after a very long break...pretty good at 5 and very bad at 4!  How about you? 

I feel like the word stress and the concept of being 'stressed' is over used into today's society with people self diagnosing  when things get a bit busy.  Although, Lazarus and Folkman (1984) define stress as the relationship between a person and their environment which is perceived by the individual as exceeding their resources and threatening their well being.  Therefore, everyone seemingly has a different threshold for stress. 

Being a student brings a unique set of stressors - the article describes them as; academic level of coursework, volume of coursework, commitments outside the course, examinations and hours of study required.  Gulp!  Don't be put off!  You have all those coping strategies to use remember - plus your own personal strategies you have developed over the years!  You are in good company too - everyone else on your programme is probably feeling just the same! 

Planning and prioritising is also the key.  And don't suffer in silence - I wasn't very good at visiting my personal tutor while I was a student and would attempt to work things out by myself.  Far less painful to go and talk things through in reality!  Plus don't forget the other popular concept of work life balance.  Something we encourage our service users to achieve but sometimes we overlook on a personal level?  Support each other and enjoy the challenges academic study brings - it is all worth it in the end :-) 

References:

Lazarus RS and Folkman S (1984) Stress, appraisal, and coping.  New York: Springer Publishing Company

On your marks...get set...

I completed my first presentation for the new academic year today....just down the road at London South Bank University.  A group of roughly 50 accelerated students just a few days into their OT programme.  It was good to dust off the old memory stick and give a presentation after the summer break, although I return to the office with plans to tweak my presentation slightly. 

I realised the other day my 10 year anniversary as a qualified OT is just around the corner - 2011!  I've got plans to organise a reunion for my fellow 'Course 98' peers back in Cardiff.  I can remember my first day at university very vividly.  Lots of introduction, tours, forms to complete and instructions on how the programme would run over the next few weeks.  It was very exciting but with a healthy dose of scary thrown in for good measure.  Although 10 years have passed I'm pretty certain these feeling still apply for the students I met today...and the many other students starting in a few weeks. 

But as one group starts...new graduates all over the UK are considering their employment options.  Although jobs are more competitive today then for me 10 years ago the opportunities are far greater.  Today, an occupational therapist can achieve consultant status - something that certainly wasn't possible 'back in the day' when I graduated!  Standing out from the crowd when it comes applications is relevant in every profession  but for an occupational student getting involved in the professional body is a great way to do so - and ironically not something that I ever considered!

I will look forward to meeting many more students over the next few months.  September, October and November will see my memory stick and I travel all over the UK.  I've become very knowledgeable about train stations and best coffee shops in each of the towns and cities I visit - so watch out I might be appearing at your University very soon. :-)

Confessions of a invisable blogger

As you may have spotted, I've taken rather a considerable break from writing this blog! I'm not going to bore you with lots of excuses...but instead will just say "I'm back"!!!!

Recently lots of exciting things have got underway...the new academic year has started for many - and I've got trips to Derby and Oxford planned to see the new 1st year OT students. Strictly Come Dancing and X-Factor went head-to-head in a ratings challenge, London Fashion week showcased this seasons latest trends, the party conference season got underway with the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth....to name but a few! Oh...and obviously I relaunched this blog!

Starting new things can both be scary and exciting....and depending on what you are doing they will bring a unique set of challenges and rewards. Personally, I think being contestant on Strictly Come Dancing would be far more scary than providing a presentation to over 250 people!

Good luck to all the 1st year OT students I meet on my travels around the UK over the next few weeks and months. Sorry I don't get to talk to your properly...and often breeze in and out of the lecture theatre within an hour! I wish you all well with your studies and practice placements. Some things may feel a bit scary and daunting at times but it is worth it...and you have the support of your tutors and professional body.

Watch this space

I've just returned from my trip visiting students at the University of Salford and an event for students at Leeds Met, the University of Bradford and the University of Huddersfield. At the end of last week I enjoyed a day at the University of Northampton! So I've clocked up a few train miles recently.
Are you celebrating OT week in true OT style!? I'm going to give Wikiflash a go shortly - visit the Salford Blog for more info.
Tomorrow I'm back at COT, attending the Learning and Development Board meeting (LDB). This is one of the "functional" boards of the organisation with a representative from the board sitting on the COT council. I will present my paper, highlighting the projects I'm currently working on. Members of the board will provide feedback on these projects and typically provide some useful suggestions - this structure enables members to ultimately steer the work that goes on at COT.
Watch this space about the latest news on the 2009 student conference.
I'm just awaiting a couple of details to be confirmed -
but will be announcing the date and venue very soon.

Google, Yahoo, AltaVista....OT?

I had a mini light bulb moment tonight...that I had to share! I was reading one of Yerxa's articles over dinner (sad but true) and spotted a wonderful quote! In the context of explaining the OT role she stated,

"we are 'search engines' for potential".

I thought it was a wonderfully descriptive statement, made of only a few words, that has so much relevance within today's web based culture. What makes it even more thought provoking is that she wrote it in 1998 - so long before the concept of an entirely online distance learning MSc in Advanced OT would have been considered even possible!? As OT's we want to place emphasis on ability not disability - and I thought this was brilliantly encapsulated in this simply quote. Maybe something to ponder next time you are using Google.....?

Waving at you

A photo from the Bangor and Cardiff University student conference in Gregynog. Thank you to all the students and lecturers for such an interesting and enjoyable day.

Popty Ping

I'm back from a great couple of days visiting students in Wales. The Student Research Conference for accelerated students from Bangor and Cardiff University of was a real success. The students did an excellent job presenting their research proposals and the 1st years in the audience were so supportive and maximised the opportunity to pick up tips for their turn next year. The venue, Gregynog, is an amazing half timber building near Newtown, and the fact the event is residential enabled the students an staff teams from the two universities to come together and swap stories and network over dinner (and glass of wine!).

On Thursday morning, I headed off to Wrexham to visit the students on part-time programme at Glyndwr University. I wish I could have stayed for their afternoon session as it was the OT philosophy - which would came in very handy for my assignment! However, I was back on train...and completed my 8th train journey in approximately 48 hours - with only a 6 minute delay overall!!!

While I was away I discovered the Welsh for microwave is "Popty Ping" - there is no going back for me...it shall be the Popty Ping for evermore!

Memory Lane

I'm visiting students from the accelerated programmes based in Bangor and Cardiff tomorrow - they have a residential student conference to enable the students to present their research proposals and bring together the two programmes. It is being held at Gregynog, near Newtown - so to ensure I'm on time and able to fully participate, I'm typing this from a B&B in Hereford. Heart stopping moment when I arrived here - as the owner didn't have my booking! She thought she had probably deleted it with the her "spam". Thankfully, she had a room available!
I changed trains in Newport on the way here - a trip down memory lane, as I had my first practice placement at Newport Social Services. I can still remember my first day on placement....as I went to the wrong door and I had to be directed around the building to actually locate the appropriate office!

Got down to some serious reading on the train - learnt more about the history of our profession - well worth exploring. I'm discovering our history is so much more complex than just basket weaving and it really does influence how we have developed and can certainly inform how we develop in the future.

The ultimate teamwork model

I did something completely different for a change last night...and went to a classical music concert at the Cadogan Hall in Chelsea. My colleague had some free tickets so I thought I would maximise my evening my doing something different.
Instead of just sitting there listening to the music....of course...I start thinking occupation! Everyone in the orchestra was so clearly engaged in an "occupation" that brings so much meaning and structure to their day! Once I had exhausted my occupation observations...I then realised the orchestra was a brilliant illustration of ultimate teamwork. Everyone had their own unique contribution to make and role in the group, they were following the same music (so not going off in a different direction), had a shared goal (nice sounding music) and the conductor (their "manager") was providing guidance and encouraging them to produce their best work.

Ok...so this might be a bit nerdy...but it really jumped out at me! So if you have any free time ...I would recommend trying something completely different (it doesn't have to be a classical music concert!) and enjoying yourself...but also stopping for a moment to consider some of the observations you can make?

I enjoyed my visit to Brunel University today. The building work has been completed now so the campus looks really good. Dana, the student local group co-ordinator at Brunel University preceded my presentation with an overview of the Brunel Group and promoted the next meeting. It was great having the opportunity to combine information like this and hopefully will assist the Brunel group in growing even more.

Occupational Therapy Week

I bet we have all experienced that blank expression from someone, when they have asked us what we do... when we uttered the words "Occupational Therapy"...its either the conversation stopper at a social event or certainly the topic that takes up a bit of time. In an attempt to raise the profile of the profession amongst members of the public and colleagues - Occupational Therapy week is taking place between November 3rd-9th. This is one week when we (the profession and BAOT members) can join together to celebrate our work. Although time is ticking on...you still have time to plan something at your University - even a message on your Blackboard system could be effective? If you don't get around to doing anything this year...don't worry OT week will be back! If you want more information on OT week visit; http://www.cot.org.uk/members/otweek/intro/intro.php

It was great being in the office today. It felt good being able to catch up on my emails. On Thursday I'm off to Brunel University to see the 1st year students and meet with the BAOT student local group co-ordinator. I've got some serious article reading to do as well over the weekend! I've been set my first 1000 word assignment (only a bit longer than a page in OTN...and I keep saying to myself!)...so I will reflecting on the role of Occupation and Health for the next few weeks.

I was pleased to see the Facebook Group "Occupational Therapy Students: Get Connected" now has over 150 members....I'll add somemore DVD suggestions as soon as possible!

Full Circle

I'm back in London having completed a circle around England! I left COT on Thursday...and headed off to Bournemouth, then over to Somerset for the weekend, then up to Manchester on Sunday, to then go to Middlesbrough this morning. Travelling back to London this afternoon completed my circle. I must confess I'm glad to my on my sofa again!

In addition to meeting 1st year students..I've had the opportunity to catch up with some students from some of the other years. Its great hearing about plans for Occupational Therapy Week (1st week of November). For example, the BAOT student local group in Middlesbrough will be manning a stand in the city centre, talking to members of the public. What have other people got planned?

Something new this year is WikiFlash - set up by the "OT On The Net" group. Check out the link for more information. Its a great opportunity to increase the range of information "out there" about occuapation therapy.
http://otwikiflash.net/

Unpacking and Packing

I've finally had a chance to unpack my bag from my trip to Berlin....and I'm now packing ready for my trip to Bournemouth. I'm seeing the new students early on Friday morning so will head to Bournemouth late tomorrow afternoon.

I'm back at my parents in Somerset this weekend - for a school reunion! Mixed feelings about seeing everyone...its been a very long time since we all caught up. I went to a school specifically for people with dyslexia and still consider myself lucky to have received the help I did - as I use the coping strategies I was taught everyday, I don't even notice anymore.

I once worked in an OT department where we were all dyslexic! I certainly feel it enhances our verbal communication skills as talking doesn't show up spelling mistakes!?? The support Universities offer students with dyslexia is far more robust now - so I hope everyone with similar issues has been able to tap into the appropriate support? I'm still worried I might send an email saying "incontinence" instead of "inconvenience" so I double checking things before sending!

Thank you to all the UEA students for staying awake during my session this morning (although I did notice a few people nodding off! :-) A 9.00am start in a very warm room was quite a challenge! I have a similar time slot next week at Brunel University - so might take some sweets!

I've added another picture form Berlin...I was having a look through

my album again and noticed this picture.

Instead of looking at it from an photography perspective...I thought about the picture with an occupation focus and saw a lot more in my photo? What do you think?

I'm back

I'm back from Berlin...and am now in Norwich! I haven't had a chance to update my blog...as social networking sites have been blocked on the COT computer system! I'm in discussions to try and get my access unblocked! I'm here in Norwich...as I'm speaking to the new 3 year full-time students tomorrow morning at 9am!

Berlin and the ENOTHE event was brilliant. I have come away with lots of thoughts and ideas about how UK students can get more involved in European developments...maybe through the agenda of the student conference? Next year is the "European Year of Creativity and Innovation"....what a fantastic topic for a group of OTs to tackle!? I'm also going to explore the possibility of exchanges and update the programme leads of the various UK OT programmes on the work of ENOTHE, via a newsletter the COT education team distribute plus the various meetings I attend. Watch this space! The next ENOTHE, same time next year is

in Northern Spain.....so food for thought.

Interestingly, one of the main discussions of the event or at least the main point I have taken away is the debate around Occupation, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and how they relate to each other. My first MSc module is now underway...and I need to read an article from Ann Wilcock on these very subjects....so I'm sitting in my Travelodge considering if "Occupation and Health: Are they one and the Same?" To contrast my article reading...I have included some pictures from Berlin - the programme included a bus tour on our way to the social evening. I'm quite pleased my picture came out through the bus window! If you want to see more - I'm putting together an album on my Facebook profile...and on the Facebook group "Occupational Therapy Students: Get Connected. (Photography is one of my main leisure occupations!)

I'm in Berlin till Sunday!

I'm packed and reading for Berlin! I'm attending an event put on by the "European Network for Occupational Therapists in Higher Education" (often known as ENOTHE). The first day is all about Occupational Science...which I'm looking forward to getting to grips with again.

I will be separated from my computer until Sunday evening....but I will use pen and paper to capture my reflections and will post a BIG message when I'm back.

I'm taking my camera..and will also add an album to the Facebook group "Occupational Therapy Students: Get Connected".

Watch this space....!

Back from Derby

I typed a nice long piece last night...and when I clicked "publish post" my computer decided the Internet connection wasn't working! So I'm back today at least...and I'm physically just back from visiting the 1st year students in Derby. I did my session in a lovely big lecture theatre...on what appears to be a very modern campus. Just before my session, I was able to listen to Joan Howarth, one of the lecturers, explain about the Blackboard system the students use at Derby. I don't think these things were invented when I was a student!!! I've just logged into my University of Salford blackboard...and managed to leave a message on the "social wiki" and in the discussion forum...virtual coffee shop! To top that...I have also used Skype for the first time! I have spoken to my personal tutor, Angela Hook...after a few technical issues with my microphone! I'm now going to use Skype to speak to my brother...as you get the added bonus of webcam - so I can check the weather in Somerset!

My UK Tour!

I'm typing this from a computer room somewhere at Oxford Brookes University! I've just met the 1st year students...and I'm about to have lunch with the 2nd years! I'm disappointed I forgot to take a picture of the 1st years Although it probably comes as a totally odd request, I wanted to include various pictures here and on the Facebook group! If any of the Oxford Brookes students read this...and want to organise a group photo...I will include it in my collection! You never know where it might appear next?!?!?

Its been great having a few moments to check my work email...at least I know there aren't 100's waiting for me on Monday!

I was in Plymouth yesterday, meeting the new final year students - photo's to follow! I don't often get to speak to students at this stage of their studies - but I thought it worked well combining student focused information - with new graduate stuff as well??
Better go....2nd years are waiting!

On you marks..get set...

I'm pretty much all set for my forthcoming trips to meet students. I've just got enough time on Monday to finish off emails and complete my PowerPoint presentation. The memory sticks arrived this week...so I've got more boxes to accomodate around my desk! These memory sticks will be send to all the students who set up their BAOT student membership. The technology has moved on since last year....so for the same price...we have managed to get a bigger memory stick, therefore should accomodate even more assignments!

I'm having problems getting my internal microphone to work on my computer...so I'm still unable to Skype! Plus I ordered a funky laptop bag online - selected "next day delivery" and it didn't turn up the next day! So a few more things to sort before I'm totally ready for my first module.

Might treat myself to some nice stationary tomorrow!! You cannot beat a nice folder or notepad when you start to study something. I'm been given so good time managment tips from colleagues - like actually putting study time in my Outlook Calendar, so its more official and fixed like a meeting. Another tip was having a regular night of study, so that friends get used to me being busy on a Tuesday for example. If anyone has some good study tips it would great to hear them?

I'm back

I've been a bad blogger...and haven't post anything for a little while. I've been preoccupied researching Laptop computers! After much debate and hesitation over MB and GB's...I'm typing this on my new (Cherry Red) laptop!
It is soooo much quicker than my previous computer...and it still hasn't sunk in I can actually unplug is computer from the mains supply and it will still work (something my old computer hadn't been able to do for about 3 years!). I'm beginning to feel ready for the start of my 1st MSc module on the 29th....just need to master Skype next!

My "UK tour" of University visits really kicks off next week....with a trip to Plymouth and Oxford.