"If COTA is so great, why are you in OT school?" & other FAQs

[@destinytalbert7439]

I just recently found your channel and it was very cool to hear you went to St. Philips! I am in my 2nd year there right now, wonderful program and GREAT professors!

[@carlythecota]

We NEED more OT videos on KZbin!! I’m starting OTA school this fall and I’m so excited! When I was weighing my options, I came to youtube, but found little information. Your videos have helped me so much since I found you! I would love to know your most challenging experience in OTA school and things OTA students should be prepared for/understand before entering their program. Thanks

[@cotaconnection9400]

I completely agree! I was SO shocked that there is such little information out there. CONGRATS ON GETTING IN TO AN OTA PROGRAM! I think you should relax and enjoy your summer! There is no proper way to prepare. Maybe get an anatomy coloring book and glance at it, but otherwise, enjoy your time while you have it. The biggest way to prepare would be to have various plans to learn. Notecards/ recording lectures/ study groups/ various ways to study in order to figure out what works best for you. You've got this! I'll post a video on my most challenging experience in school soon, but honestly two classes were super tricky for me (Physical Dysfunction and Pediatrics)... and I had some disagreements with a teacher/ clinical instructor in fieldwork. The experiences taught me how to advocate for myself and adapt, which has made me a better COTA :) I hope that helps! I can't wait to hear all about your program!

[@MelisJoy]

@@cotaconnection9400 You are wonderful, well spoken & so helpful. You're going to make an amazing therapist

[@lizbethinzunzaramirez7464]

Make more videos!!! I’m think of starting a KZbin channel for OTA school! Your videos have been so helpful.

[@erinharvey4851]

your videos have helped me so much!! I’d love if you made a day in the life or even walked us through your typical week as an OTA while in school!

[@cotaconnection9400]

Hey! What are you wanting to know about specifically? Like routines/ classes/ courseload? I'd love to answer your questions, but I am not sure where to start :)

[@lauravalle2862]

I love your videos! I just got accepted into a COTA school and am interested to see how things are going to work out with the majority of it being online.

[@ShawnS23]

Hey me too. Majority of my schooling will be online if I decide to do the COTA program. May I ask where you applied?

[@lauravalle2862]

Butterfly S I applied at St. Phillips College. From what I understand we’re only going to be in person for our Labs. And it’s only 10 students in one class. Lectures will be online, from home.

[@natalietyrrell9406]

Yesss thank you so much for these OT videos! I've been struggling to find information from people directly in the field. Looking forward to watching more! :)

[@lesliebardo8773]

I wish I had had your channel back when I started OTA school back in 2018.. awesome channel! Also going to OT school as well.

[@kelseychanel9472]

I’m applying to Rutgers as a second career choice . I already have a degree I’ve majored in English and audio engineering . I have 2 autistic kids which brought me to the profession . I have an A in anatomy now and it’s a lot of labs and info and all dissection from home no group. I already have my letters I’d recommendation from a slp and ot from clinicals with observing my boys. I just am stressed bc they only take 10 people a year and I’m doing remote teaching to my kids as well in the public school system . I hope I can balance the orig ram which is an hour from my house when I’m accepted !

[@joriehardy9718]

I've really appreciate your videos!! I, too, have my bachelors degree and decided to go back to school to pursue my dream. Have to say there's been some up and downs navigating this area only because I was torn between the OTA and OT route. I found I'd only make a bit more in salary by being an OT vs OTA but would incur appx $70k debt (to get my MOT) vs appx $10k debt (going the OTA route). I'm also torn at the moment because I've read jobs are hard to come by due to covid and if there are any available, at least in my area, then anyone who is an OT appears to have more employment opportunities. Only OTA jobs now are per diem or PRN. I'm praying opportunities for OTA's will open up by the time I graduate. This field is definitely a calling and I'm up for the challenge. Keep your videos coming! LOVE THEM :)

[@eggfibshdeluxe6160]

I’ve been a caregiver for 10 years and realized I enjoyed doing work with my clients like helping them brush their teeth and things like that. So I’ve been interested in this COTA program because it seems like a similar job just more structured and in depth. I’m wondering if my experience as a hands on caregiver will help me in this field?

[@MJ-gj6mj]

I was wondering that as well. People assume if you've done caregiving, you'll automatically go into nursing. I've found nursing is way more focused on medications than the actual patient care like I was used to. In regards to COTA, the programs sound great but people say their isn't jobs. I don't know!

[@edwardmarte726]

Hi! I'm a current OTA student and really want to become an OTR. How long did it take you to become an OTR? Was it an extra year or did it take longer?

[@THEEMillennial.90sBBY]

Hi, I've only been in OTA school for a month. At the end of this month it will be two months. Due to the pandemic my school is hybrid. I'm doing pretty well so far. I'm just trying to find OT blogs and websites that can be study resources for skills and theory related topics.

[@cotaconnection9400]

Congrats on getting into school! Hooray!! Have you checked out OT Miri? She is mt FAVORITE!

[@THEEMillennial.90sBBY]

@@cotaconnection9400 No I haven't but I will now!

[@tinam4353]

Would love more details on what a COTA does. Thanks

[@cotaconnection9400]

Oo yes! I will try and post one about the roles of an COTA sometime. Thanks for watching!

[@tinam4353]

COTA Connection thank you!

[@paologreen]

I also have been hesitant to begin the OTA program because my main interest is in pediatrics. Where I live in Minnesota OTAs in pediatrics don't really seems to be in demand. Lucky for you you still ended up working pediatrics while going for your OT. Was that like an understood agreement with your clinic to take you on knowing you would become an OT or are there actually clinics looking for OTAs?

[@ThaoNguyen-io7ic]

Your videos are very helpful. I am currently in the first semester in OTA program. I am struggling with muscles, and kinesiology. Are there tips that you can share to help me get this over easier. Thank you in advance! I can't wait to see more of your videos.

[@cotaconnection9400]

Do you guys have cadavers? I know I had to make lots of flash cards and draw the muscle itself. It also helped when I found and palpated the muscle on myself. Additionally, I bought Trail Guide to the Body: A Hands on Guide to Locating Muscles, Bones and More Book by Andrew Biel and downloaded the associated app. I'll post on this eventually, but I'd definitely recommend looking up other sciency videos on learning the muscles for now! Also... test yourself often!

[@ShawnS23]

Hi there. I would love to go straight into an OT program but because I only Have the flexibility to do an online program there aren’t or weren’t any online OT programs. What I found were/are OTA programs. And unfortunately my college credits won’t apply which means I now have to do a 4 year plan just to be able to get my OTA. This is such a bummer because I thought my credits would transfer. So my question is would you happen to know of any online OT Programs? The OTA Program I am looking into will be 80% online then 20% fieldwork. I would appreciate any guidance and advice you can give me. Also what about the new Medicare changes that are about to happen? I’m hearing that maybe it is better to become an OTA since OTA can do the same job for less income. Is this true? Have you heard anything about this? Thanks so much

[@cotaconnection9400]

Hey there! There are many 2 year programs for OTA. You do not have to go to a 4 year program. I am not sure what is out there for online programs, but this website should be helpful! www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Find-School.aspx . Also, as far as Medicare changes, I do not currently have the knowledge to speak on that, as it affects different specialty areas differently and did not affect me much as a pediatric COTA (and didn't seem to directly affect my COTA friends from school), however I plan to learn more about this in the future so I can connect others with resources. For my currently job, I 100% got it because I am a COTA and the small business owner could afford to hire me, That being said, some settings hire more OTs than OTAs, so that question has a variety of answers. Hope this helps!

[@MADKC13]

hi!! I'm a new grad COTA and just started working a few months ago, but know I want to apply to a bridge program soon for MOT. I would love to hear about your bridge experience and how you handled school while working! thanks!!

[@cotaconnection9400]

Hi there! I did not do a bridge program (for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I am a mil-spouse and there aren't any near where I am located). A friend of mine is preparing for a bridge program more! I can definitely talk more about working while in a full time MSOT program though

[@stevenstrouse5672]

Hey, Jennifer, I'm currently in a bridge program. Personally, I'm able to work about 20-25ish hours a week while in this program. Any more and I feel like I would be too overwhelmed. I work in both pediatric home health and school systems as a COTA, so I do a ton of driving in addition to treatment time. I would probably work more if I could just drive to a clinic down the road. In the program, there are tests on a weekly basis and they are hard. Lots of self-teaching. Regardless of the struggle, I do have plenty of free time and time for the things I want to do; just have to manage time well. The semester before starting OT school, I just completed a double master's in psychology and gerontology both full-time and simultaneously. We can do whatever we set our minds to; just stay determined.

[@lalaevenz5973]

Thank you so helpful!

[@medlife3931]

Very helpful Vedio .. Finally got a channel ❤️b Plz can you make Vedio for international student who can become register OT

[@MelisJoy]

I LOVE your videos! Thank you SO much for doing them. Just wondering if you know if it's official that cutoff date is no longer 2024 to be a OTR with just a Masters? I've heard conflicting things.