February 2010

About a year ago, near the end of the 2^nd semester, I had a conversation with a then-2^nd year student who was just about to complete the semester that I’m in right now.  I was telling him how busy school was, and how tough it was, and how it was hard to keep everything organized.  The only thing I really remember him telling me was that the semester he was completing (meaning the one I am in right now) was even tougher.  Of course, that’s always nice to hear. . . but I guess I have to admit that he seems to be right.

The biggest challenge for me right now is keeping everything organized, specifically all the groups I have for different projects for different classes, the articles I need to read or make sure to read in case of a pop quiz that day, and trying to make sure I have all the notes printed off before class so I can at least follow along (and that of course, is based on whether the printers decide to work properly that day).

This is now our third semester of "tutorial groups" where we are given a case and discuss how we might proceed. We all come prepared with current evidence and information on different aspects of the case. Each group has been different so it's fun having different dynamics and personalities amongst the group. The best part, however, is the morning treats involved with it.

With that as a prelude, the truth be told (let’s hope so, who wants to read lies?), I am enjoying this semester.  Out of our five classes are three management courses, and if I may add, the LAST management courses before we graduate:  Musculoskeletal, Neuro, and MAP (I know for sure the last letter for this one stands for physiology, but I still forget what the other letters are).  To give you an idea of what that’s like, last week alone we learned about burns, neck pain, and cerebral palsy.

This particular musculoskeletal management lab was about torticollis in children. An affiliate faculty was nice enough to bring her baby so we could have a "live" subject. Since several of our faculty are pediatric specialists, our curriculum is full with pediatric lectures and labs, and because of that, an ongoing joke amongst the students is that Regis is a Pediatric PT School.

For a skills check in Neuromanagement, we have to videotape ourselves teaching a variety of basic skills to a patient with a Spinal Cord Injury. After we're satisfied with the performance (which has actually taken a lot longer than I expected to film), they are posted on Youtube for a professor to grade them.

 On another note, next week is an APTA meeting in San Diego called “Combined Sections Meeting” and so we won’t have school.  School is cancelled every time an APTA National meeting takes place.  About a dozen of classmates are going, but I decided not to go since I went last year to the meeting in Las Vegas.  Although it’ll be a nice break on Wednesday through Friday, we will come back on Monday to a test in our Neuro course.  Man oh man; I never thought I would enjoy breaks just for the sake of having more time to study.  What’s happening to me?

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Spencer was served a Mickey Mouse shaped pancake in bed. Only problem was that he refused to cut poor Mickey.

Read Full Post »

February 2010

It’s interview time once again for the upcoming DPT Class of 2013.  I had almost forgotten about interviews until a group of well-dressed individuals were led into our lab room to observe our class for 15 minutes or so.  I really like to observe people, so it was fun watching these candidates, who all looked pretty nervous (they hadn’t interviewed yet), sitting down and trying not to draw attention or wrinkle their nicely pressed suits or skirts.  There was a broad range of ages, some looking like early twenties to a few who looked to be in their late thirties, which, by the way, I think is great.

Throughout the day, three different groups came to observe, and when there was a few free minutes, I talked to some of them.  I was actually surprised to hear that some of them read this blog.  I offered to give my autograph, but they all kindly declined.  🙂  However, they asked some great questions, and I thought I would devote this blog to some of their questions and how I responded.

What do you like about Regis? 

The faculty:  To me, they really seem down to earth yet are leaders in their respective specialties of PT.  On several occasions, I’ve talked with different professors about non-class related stuff, and they have given me lots of good advice. . . call me needy, but they make me feel that they care about me as both a student and an individual.

My classmates:  They are from all over the states, so there are lots of different backgrounds; however, the majority are into the outdoors and being active (let’s hope so . . . it’s kind of important in our field). 

The school:  I love the small campus feel, and I like the Jesuit mission about giving service to the community.  We are required to provide 10 hours of service each semester, and that is on our own time (meaning, school isn’t cut short so I can go and give my service; it’s usually on a weekend or evening.)  I also like free printing and free parking.  “If it’s free, it’s me.”

What don’t you like?

$$$$$$$:  Being at a private school, tuition is a lot more than other schools.  However, I guess it’s less than out-of-state tuition, and either way, graduate school is expensive.  Thank goodness for government loans (keep in mind, I didn’t say pell grant. . . . they aren’t an option during graduate school).

Microwaves!!:  There are only 3 microwaves in the building that our classes are, and we have to share it with nursing students and undergraduates, so at lunchtime, everyone is racing to be in line for the microwave.

Glass half empty or half full?  These are things, that to some, are great, but for others, aren’t so great.

Housing:  The only student housing for graduate students is about 2 miles from campus.  The majority of us pay between $400 (student housing, 1 bedroom apartment) and $1200 (renting a house) a month.

Class size:  From what I’ve heard, most programs have a class size between 30-45 students.  My class is 54 students, while the class of 2013 will have 64 students, so there are quite a few of us.

I could write a lot more about all of this stuff, but I hope this gives you a general idea of our program.  What it came down to me was how I felt during my interviews here.  I felt like life would be better balanced if I was here at Regis versus the other schools I applied at, and I have been happy here.  My family is happy here, and I’ve made a lot of new friends.  I’m not saying this program is perfect, but I am saying that I stand by the choice I made to come here.

Read Full Post »