Fieldwork Concerns and Excitement
Where has the summer gone? I must echo my co-blogger, Courtney’s, sentiment that the time just seems to be flying by. Every time I glance at a calendar I’m surprised to not only see how much time has gone by, but how little time I have left till the end. It’s exciting and scary! I have been swamped with course work, fieldwork and just trying to enjoy little bits of the summer whenever I can. There’s never enough time in the day to get it all done.
This past week has been a very enlightening one. I’m over halfway through with this term, only 4 more weeks to go! In my professional preparation class, we had several past graduates of our program come have a panel discussion with us. It was interesting to hear their fieldwork experiences, their experience with the board exam, and how they got their first jobs. It was also a bit nerve wracking to hear some of their negative experiences on fieldwork placements or with their clinical instructors. I know that every place and every instructor is different and I am just hoping for the best with my placements. I am wondering how I will handle having a less than ideal CI. Does anyone have any strategies they'd like to share? Also, any tips on how best to prepare yourself for your level II's?
I have been very luck with my fieldwork placement this term. I have a wonderful CI who is helping me learn a lot. I have also had the opportunity to work with a great COTA whom I have also learned from. This week, my 5th visit to the site, my CI had me come up with and implement an entire treatment session. Up till this, I had been doing an activity here and there, but never a whole session, let alone one I thought up! I was very nervous at first, but my CI was very reassuring so I just went with it and it was great. I enjoyed it so much and my CI was happy with the activities I came up with. I get to do it again next week and I cannot wait. I’m really enjoying this placement and wish I could have had it for a level II, but I appreciate the time I am getting there. I know these last 4 weeks are just going to fly by.