First Years...come and share your experiences

[JDBfangirl]

College, Uni, OU or anything else. How's it going? The good the bad and the obscure.

lollipop and jdb, glad the trips went well!

Notalone, that lecturer souns a mare....must say so far only had one lecturer that didn't grip me, and thought that was down to me feeling poorly that day, but turns out others felt the same.lol....
Had our University profeesor of ot, annie turner, in a lecture, and gosh she is fab...so funny and really engaging....you just want to listen....if she ever gives a lecture near you, do get a ticket...honestly....

well....am feeling a bit more positive and am trying to get organized moee...i.e. working out how much reading daily before bed will cover the material they want us to read, etc....

I have a lousy cold and have to go into uni tomorrow

I have what seems like a chest infection. Going docs tomorrow to see if it is or just a really bad cough. It's been getting worse over the last week, and I've had it almost 4 weeks now! But I seem to have everything under control so I have that awful feeling I've forgotten something cause it seems to be going too well! Lol.

LV glad to hear the weather was good. Did it all go okay?

FLFAL - Glad you're feeling positive.

TB - Hope you feel better soon. 4 weeks is a long time... surely you've been given AB today??

Did aseptic technique today. Nice to do some hands on. tomorrow is Clinical measurements, blood pressure etc. Can't wait!!!

hello...should be in bed, but have worked all through since about 1.30 pm till just now, reading and stuff...and have to wind down first....
Lollipop and tammy, sorry to hear you are both poorly....hopefully you will feel better soon....and tammy what did the Doctor say?
JDB, sounds like you are enjoying yourself
Must admit, I really enjoy the lectures and seminars, etc....

as for me, I am shattered....hopefully, once I have caught up on the missing stuff, i.e. by the end of this week, it will be a bit better next week...
earlier I read a section of a book about OT assesment...and I could have cried, I didn't really take anything in and it just well, went over my head

Really gotta get cracking at that Essay, now, aswell...haven't even read anything for it yet...have printed out stuff, etc...and earmarked any sections in the books I have read the past few days, where I think it might be useful towards the Essay, also know roughly what I want to write about....just need to do the reading and actual writing....
I know that once I get down to the writing I will enjoy it...but right now, I am just bogged down wiht all the work....and I suppose it will only get worse, eh?

Notalone...how are you getting on?

Well, I've had the last 2 days off sick. Didn't have one sick day through college so quite annoyed that I get 2 now. Anyway, back in at 2 today, for 2 hours on how to edit video. Should be good. Oh, and I've been asked to be a course rep for our year.

Hey,

JDB, no they didn't give me ABs. Was hoping they would, but apparantly everything is clear so they think it's just a virus [eyeroll] Knew I was wasting my time going!

FLFAL, I've been like that with a few of the modules we're learning at the moment. Goes right over my head. Hopefully you'll get it or find someone who does understand! And good luck with the essay!

LV, ooo are you going to do it? What do you have to do if so? Sorry you've been unwell too. Hope you catch up on your stuff.

I've been feeling bit low at the mo. Probably doesn't help that I'm ill, but DD is driving me mad and seems to be turning disobedient and doing what she wants. Think it's a backlash of all the uproar of everything changing for her. I feel like I never speak to DP anymore, so that's been upsetting me. I've got a load of work to do and the flat's a mess, but I have no energy or motivation to do any of it at the moment. Really hope I'll snap out of this soon

I'm going to do it. It'd just be, bringing people's views to meetings, attending open days/interviews etc to tell people about the course. Today was good but now I'm aching inside (7 months ago today, I met my ex, and he ruined my faith in men, I only realised earlier how long it'd been).

ello. I met Charlotte121 today, has given me renewed vigour - I will never moan about trying to balance uni with one 2 year old!

Am starting to worry that time is going to fast and before I know it my essays will be due and I will have done nowt.

best get onnit eh?

Hello Everyone. How are you all feeling? Are you all better from freshers flu yet?

Fairlady - I have finished the first question from one of my first assignment and have just completed an activity analysis that is due in next Thursday. I have been trying to study as much as I can whenever I get a spare minute and I em enjoying it, but its bloody hard! Which books have you been reading then? Do you find that the books seem to go on and on and on and it takes almost a whole chapter to clarify one point. Are you using the Harvard Referencing system? We are and I HATE it1

Tammy - did you get your benefits sorted out in the end?

JDB - we have just finished IPL now thank god - twas a shambles, but I met some lovely new people too who are studying nursing, paramedics and social work so alls good on the people side of things. How have you been getting on th the more clinical side of things?

Well done about the course rep nomination Lollipop!!!

Hey Osmosis [waves]

OOoh lots of practical stuff this week. BPs Temps, pulses, dressings. Today we did comfort skills (the ins and outs of a hospital bed, how to make a bed and how to bed bath. was really good.

Had lump removed from my knee yeaterday and the local anaestheic wore of at about two this morning. Its a tad sore. whats worse is the dr's gave me a tubigrip to wear and my lecturer was horrified at the length/way they'd told me to wear it and said that wearing it like that could give me DVT. Tubigrip is now off and shall remain so

Phoned my placement...they didn't have me on their list but the ward sister was nice and is showing me round the ward on tuesday.

Hope everyone is feeling better. Am grateful to have avoided anything major.

Oooh I'm off out tomorrow night. One of the guys at uni is celebrating his 20th and has invited everyone out! Can't wait. I'm going in fancy dress- as the anti-Bond girl. Basically:
Bond girls are tall and skinny, I'm the opposite, so why not? Am going to treat myself to some new make up too.

Oh, and I hurt my eyes doing too much editing today

ouch jdb, about the lumpremoval....is that all or do you have more to worry about, ie, they not knowing yet what kind of lump it is and them, and you, waiting?

Notalone, yes, harward referencing...but that was the way I learned it, so, the only way I know, iykwim.... as for books and chapters...well///the turner, physical dysfaunction one, generally great...but the chapter about assesment went over my head, completely, lol...
must read the creek mental health one on this chapter...as for christiensan and townsend or baum, they seem to be so readable and easily understandable, they are a pleasure, lol...
so, do you learn and read about history and ot and philosophy and ot and about reflecting right now?

well///am pretty much caught up and getting more connections going which will be helpful to both....

FLFAL - The Dr was sure it was nothing serious, just scar tissue. The results will be back in two weeks. I'm assuming its nothing serious until I hear different as they're not much I can do anyway. But thanks for your concern

Am starting to have minor panic over ethics essay. Going to start writing that at some stage. Am worried about not having enough references etc. I just want to pass, then I can utilise the feedback and improve from there.

LV, Sounds like a cool outfit. I wouldn't make the grade as a bond girl either and the stitches in my knee have put paid to any gym visits.

Aw JDB - how is the knee now? Are you in pain? Am sure you will be fine with the ethics essay - the initial feedback was good so you will ace it I'm sure

Fairlady - yes, I had a flick through the Turner one in the ibrary and it is good. I am really wishing I had not bought any books before my course now as there are lots I like a lot more than the ones I initially bought. I think the Wilcock and also the Law ones are good too. What are your first essays on then?

Lollipop - you sound like you have loads of fun at uni!!! I have met loads of lovely people but they are either 12 years younger than me or mature students like me who, like me also have to rush off home after every day. I remember the difference when I was doing my A levels years ago and how much partying I did back in the day

jdb, what is your ethics topic....maybe we can give you ideas....

notalone...title of essay is along the lines of : Discuss the importance of a balanced lifestyle whilst undertaking a course in Highe education....

and lol at you reminiscing (SP) I am doing my fair share of that right now....however, my nursing training wasn't even half as difficult than this ot course...but at the time, and still in germany now, it wasn't/isn't a uni course....so much easier....sigh...

do enjoy the lectures though...love the way they make things relevant to ot...i.e. anatomy/physioligy, they always bring in examples why those things are all important to know, etc....

Notalone, hav you thought of your teamactivity yet? What are you doing?
Do you also have to create a moving/handling leaflat?
And how about a poster or any media, of your own occupational developement

My essay title is "Health Professionals should force treatment on members of society in their best interests"

I'm just a bit of worried that once I've discussed automony, beneficence, non malifecence and Justice, Parentalism and the mental capacity act I'm not going to have enough words. Tutor seemed to think I'd be fine though and I guess the only way to find out is to write the damn thing ;)

Knee is fine, managed work ok this morning (even making up fires balancing on one knee).

Being a student first time round was much better socially I have to say. Although I do reckon I'm enjoying more now.

JDB...how many words do you have?
and wow, look at all them big words there....whats non malifecence?

Oh, how did you diagnostic essay go? Have you had it back yet?

Have been reading lots and lots and lots today and searching for further articles, etc...that I could use or get info from....
my head is absolutely spinning....lol....

well...this week will be kinda "easier" than the past few weeks....we will "only" have 2 1/2 days attendence as such.....we will be off on Tuesday afternoon....wohoo...but I may well stay after the morning....and do some more reading....also will go to the Gym that afternoon...as won't be able to go in the morning....

Non malificence means to protect from harm. Have 3500 words. Have got a self study wednesday afternoon so shall grab a laptop form uni and make a start, reckons once I've started I should feel better about it.

only in 2 1/2 days!!!!! You part timer I have the same this week but with visiting my placement and PAT tutorial, it really doesn't feel like it.

DS staying at Mils tonight because we're both away early tomorrow. Be nice not to be woken up to the sound of thomas the tank engines carriages being wheeled across the cot.

JDB - 3500 words???? That is scary! Am sure you will be fine though. I have only written part of one assignment so far and actually found the word count was not enough. Is it 3500 max / min?

Fairlady - it sounds as though our courses are very different so far. Our tasks are very essay based with the exception of the People in Their Environments module where in groups we need to build an environment model and then write an essay on why we built it this way. Do you need to reference your essay or do you need to write it reflectively from your own experiences?

Was (is!) my birthday today and all my lovely group smuggled in a birthday cake with candles for me and had bought and signed a card without me realising. Was

oh happy birthday notalone!
Indeed our courses seem to be very different...well, they only just changed it all around, i.e. we are the first students doing this particular course with these particular models...i.e. models were renamed, etc....
Human Health is Anatomy/Physiology in the healthy human being, and very much based on the relevance with OT, which is fabulous.The only assesment will be via multiple choice test in the 3rd term.
Understanding Occupational Beings is, at the moment, a lot about self reflection and looking on doing,being and becoming, etc....part of this module are seminars and lectures. Assesment will be via a multi media piece about our own occupational self from birth till now , which has to include a written piece with references to literature...not sure if in Essay style or not, but tere was something about reflecting on the process of creating the exhibition piece. And then there is something else which I cn't remember right now, ...lol....
Than we have Foundations for practice, which is basically the theory behind ot and for this module one assesment will be the creation of a leaflat, which , of course, also has a written report. And possibly something else, lol....
And than we have a module skills for personal and professional practice...which is the more hands on stuff ...and one asesment will be a working in pairs on a group activity....

This essay does need Harward referencing and it is not meant to be reflective of our personal life....! Have started writing it today, only finished one paragraph, but it is a start....1000 words is not much at all...and you have to get pretty straight to the point, lol....but hohum.... I keep telling myself that this Essay really doesn't matter, because it will not be graded....however there is this little thing of wanting to make a good impression and wanting it to be good anyway....

jdb...yikes, 3500 words sounds a lot....can you tellthat my longest essay so far was a 2000 word one...daren't even think about the future and that d-word....10000 words sounds just terrifying....

Yes Happy Birthday Notlalone, the cake thing is relly sweet!

My first essay was 1000 word relective piece, seeing my PAT about it tomorrow. But not before I've made a start on this marked essay!!!! Have they got through the different relective models yet? Bortons, Johns, Gibbs?

I've done a degree before and TBH, once you've broken the dissetation down into effect 3 essays, it's a lot less scary and the sense of acheivement when you're finished is immense!

...sounds like a reasonable idea, about breaking the dissertation down into 3 Essays...BUT...lol....I am sure it all will seem less daunting once we done a bit more studying and those skills come more natural....[hopeful emoticon]

well...as you can see I am up late....again....but had a productive night writing on my essay, only about 350 words left , so, basically one more paragraph and then the intro and the conclusion.
Was talking to some fellow students and am starting to worry that I am not getting the right angle on this and am worried that I am talking past the topc........basically teh essay title is "Discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle whilst undertaking a course in higher education"
And besically the first paragraph is about balanced lifestyle, what it means, yadda...pointing out that it is about individual perception aswell as depeninding on circumstances...

1. paragraph defines health and wellbeing and how it is relating to a balanced lifestyle, etc...
2. paragraph is all about the different stress factors of Higher Education, and my final one will be about the benefits of undertaking higher education (longterm and short term)

what do you think....am I going passed the topic? In my conclusion I will tie it altogether, i.e. showing the direct impact that lifestyle balance has on health aswell on coping with teh stresses of HE and the overall experience of HE.... not sure if I am making sense....am knackered now, and best be off...if I can sleep is another question altogether...because my mind is in overdrive, sigh! That is the problem with working so late on something that you need your mind switched on for....sigh....

Oh, hm, the reflective concepts/names you mention don't ring a bell right now....but the ones that we learn about are pretty much directly related to OT....(suppose OT's are meant to be brilliant reflectors... )

am an ou student, yet can't watch the bloomin dvd as can't find the remote controls!!!