THE TRUTH ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SCHOOL: 7 Things I Wish I Knew!

[@tadbit822]

High-stress job regardless of organization and setting. MONEY MONEY MONEY, nothing else matters for the organizations. Burnout is real! I" ve been an OT for just over 20 years and would not choose OT again. I love treating patients in acute care, but it's about making money for the facility at the end of the day. I use to love and believe in the profession but plan to return to school to get a certificate so I can do something else. I"m just glad I'm on the other end and not just coming out of school. A PT that I work with finished school three years ago and is already planning on leaving for some of the same reasons that Lovely OT and I mentioned. Schools will not tell you the truth. You will not find out the truth until you graduate and start work.

[@WillSmithh04]

What do you mean ?

[@suirendream]

Maybe you’re just in the wrong clinic/hospital. Have you been at the same place for 20 years? Can you please share why it’s high stress? Why don’t you like it anymore after 20 years and why would it be different for one just starting?

[@maddie7658]

I’m a senior in high school and so this really helped me with making sure this is the right course for me. I’m really excited! I’m so happy I found your channel

[@deereneee]

Awe Thank you so much for your support!! Good luck in your journey 😊💕

[@ot_lifehacker]

amazing how you are finding out what you want now! YOU GO!

[@rashadgordon8639]

Great feedback! I’m currently in OTA school now in my third semester. Mental health is very important when you are doing an intense program.

[@aleecerenaa]

Love this! I’m in OTA school, and girl!!! Stressed and Depressed!! Lol the work load is so overwhelming, I can’t imagine OT school. But after each assignment, I’m always so happy inside of the knowledge and insight I’ve gathered.. I love talking about my profession. Lol so it’s all worth it, for sure!

[@deereneee]

That’s amazing!! Congratulations 🎉 You will get through this and be an amazing COTA! Good luck on your OT journey and thank you for your support! 😊

[@AutumnK_]

Girl, thank you so much for making this. I'm in my first term of OT school and I was crying my eyes out bc I wasn't getting straight A's. 😮‍💨Everything you mentioned was true.

[@MsKyraa101]

Omg I’m so nervous! I get a B and I’m like ready to pull my hair out. Thank you for this video! I’m in the OTA program now and continuing on to OT. And the work load in this program is A LOT lol so I agree with taking a break. Sometimes I miss meals and I’m like wow it’s 6pm already and I’ve only had a banana ... but I got those 3 assignments done though! lol anyway, thank you for this again!

[@deereneee]

Thank you so much for the support!! Keep going you'll be an amazing OTA and OT! Good luck with your journey! :)

[@noellamais9065]

So true!! I just started OT school in January and I can attest to these at least the first few because I still have more schooling to go! lol but I'm excited to feel like an accomplished, knowledgeable and fired up OT when I graduate!

[@deereneee]

That’s amazing!! Congratulations 🎉 And good luck on your OT journey!

[@ot_lifehacker]

congrats!

[@elizavetam6893]

Love your videos, Deerenee! I'm starting OT school in Stockton next week, and I'm very nervous, because in my situation I'll have to juggle a lot of roles: a student, wife, and a mother (I have two children). Thank you for the detailed, encouraging, and fun videos! Good luck on your new journey as an OT!

[@deereneee]

That's amazing!! Thank you so much for your support! Good luck with everything, I know you'll learn so much from the program!! :)

[@kimeshajones9006]

Hi. Mom here of 2. Can you tell me about your experience??

[@MiracleMadness17]

I needed a love button for this video. I feel like you hit everything right on. I'm so excited to get into OT school. I know everything will fall into place 😃.

[@deereneee]

Thank you so much!! And I’m excited for you!! 😊

[@rebekahjackson6232]

I’m starting my OTA program soon! This helped relax me so much!

[@kyarasoniar3524]

How was it?🥰

[@REtron3rD0321]

Thank you for your wonderful content! I was accepted to OT school last year but deferred, due to COVID. I will be starting OT school in June and this past week, I have been anxious about starting. This video has made me super excited about it now!

[@deereneee]

That’s amazing!! I wish you the best of luck!! You will do great! Just be yourself 😊

[@ot_lifehacker]

CONGRATS!

[@annetdunn2279]

Thanks for this!!! I started OTA school today 🤪🙌🏽 cannot wait to continue on to become a OT!

[@deereneee]

No problem!! That’s amazing!! Good luck on your journey 💕

[@jasmin6023]

Wishing you the very best on your journey 💖much love and success You got this 👌🏾

[@Floridamadedany954]

@@deereneeeyou scared me what’s hard about OT?

[@stac1465]

man im so nervous to apply for OT school I feel like with this pandemic and not having a reference from an OT I'll be screwed. OT is my dream and I really don't want to get denied from school

[@nightmime1547]

Can totally relate. Wish you luck! 💗

[@deereneee]

It’s okay to be nervous! That means you really want it! And as long as you have references that can speak highly of you then you will have a good chance! Don’t let the nervousness stop you from achieving what you really want! If you watch my first videos I talk about my journey and honestly I was denied from a school as well! But look at me know! Just take a chance! Good luck with everything 😊

[@gc377]

I’m a college graduate and I have recs from OT’s and Stanford and I still feel like I won’t get in. My point is, no matter where you are - you will always feel like you’re no ready. So jump the gun and just do it!!! :) you never know! Good luck love!! -fellow prospective OT

[@stac1465]

@@gc377 you’re so right! I got into school with 8 observation hours and an awesome prereq GPA. My overall GPA wasn’t that good at all but i definitely got into a school on the first try

[@gc377]

@@stac1465 That’s so exciting!!!!!!! Wow you are amazing!!! Sending so much love and support towards your OT journey

[@benedictabonsu3349]

Thanks for sharing about hours spent in OT classes. 4-5 hours is different from a regular 3 hour graduate class session. Do you remember the breakdown of how classes would start and end.

[@deereneee]

Thank you for your msg! From what I can remember the classes would be learning from powerpoints and then doing class activities whether that be group work or hands on things :)

[@benedictabonsu3349]

@@deereneee Thanks for answering! 💗💗 I see the only difference is that classes are extended to 4 or 5 hours.

[@kelseychanel9472]

She’s not kidding . I took a&p and I’ve gotten mostly b’s aiming for a’s and I got into to Rutgers for AOTA with and undergraduate with a’s and I don’t get why I’m getting b”s ! considering their bachelors they’re creating now . But it’s hard how they grade and it’s a different writing style and expensive !

[@linustheflatcoatedretrieve3]

Could you make a video on your interview experience and what it was like?

[@novelisticnyssa9126]

I think my least favorite fee is cpr certification even though I just became certified 6 months ago. The school wants us all to do the exact same cpr class

[@danahfor5596]

Yesssss so empowering I am hoping to get I to a program. Currently working side by side OTs and love the field

[@deereneee]

That's amazing!!! and thank you for the support :)

[@kerairiddle7614]

These videos are so helpful! I’m finishing up my requirements. So I’m really listening because this will be me by next year.

[@deereneee]

I’m so glad you gained some gems!! Good luck with everything and thank you for your support!! 😊💕

[@jasmin6023]

I was like yes 🤗 she did the video I requested. Thank you so much I really appreciate your content keep it up ❤️👏🏾

[@deereneee]

Yes I did!! Thank you for suggesting it! And no problem, thank you for your support! 💕

[@jasmin6023]

Your welcome and thank you for being a great example for the community 🖤

[@glamourgirl10412]

I am currently in my first year of OT school! (3rd semester, pediatrics) and my volition is being tested lol Thank you for sharing because I am realizing a lot of this now!!

[@deereneee]

No problem girl! You got this!! :)

[@jediahmusic]

Miraclllee LOL I was so surprised to see your name pop up, glad to see I’m not the only one who looks up these video 😂💕. Here we are 2nd year OT students, we can do it🙌🏾

[@Daraax]

Love this! Still in OT schooll so this helps with the perspective

[@deereneee]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you gained some gems!! 💕

[@alielaw7960]

Hi is it a lot of work?

[@Daraax]

@@alielaw7960 yeah it is

[@alielaw7960]

@@Daraax is it a lot of memorizing

[@alielaw7960]

@@Daraax what?

[@therareonemissnikkib5306]

This was a good video, left me smiling and excited, starting OT school tomorrow and am hella nervous, but this truly helped, so thank you.

[@deereneee]

No problem! I’m glad you found some gems! Congratulations and good luck on your journey 😊

[@nephardurand300]

Hi !!! I’m a sophomore in college and lately I’ve stumbled across your videos . Your videos has showed some clarity and inspiration that I need to work on to becoming an OT one day . Is there any advice you can give to me as an undergrad ? Also what are the necessary pre reqs that I need to get into OT school? Btw congratulations on completing OT school !!! 👏🏾😁

[@deereneee]

Thank you for your support!! Some advice for you is to try to get A's and B's in all of your courses and try to get involved in your school! If you watch my 7 tips on how to get into OT school, I talk about what I did in undergrad that helped me!! And as far as pre-reqs, every school is different! So I would start looking at programs you want to possibly apply to and then look at their pre-reqs! Hope this helps you on your journey :)

[@madelinetaylor5988]

Ahhhhhhh. "been through it crawling on the floor" I feel that rn!! I am currently taking 18 unites at a CA community college. I want to be on OT but am struggling on deciding what to get my undergrad in when I transfer... Biology? Sociology? Psychology? Any advice?

[@milliesecond102]

Hi, Madeline! I'm a fieldwork clinical instructor in OT. The best perquisites are what your university program requests. Were you aware that the origins of OT was psychiatry? We are more a neuro-psych rehab profession, so prepare to study ahead on neuroanatomy because that's the toughest class for many OT students but ALL injuries go back to the nervous system - central to peripheral. Even if you go into orthopedic (hand and upper extremity) injuries. Also look for opportunities to shadow/observe OTs in their practice settings. Hope this helps!

[@rara1800]

For me I wish I never applied its waaaaaay too competitive and I feel like admissions only care about your GPA. They say they look at students holistically but it is not true. I dedicated 5 yrs of my life working as a rehab aide for nothing (my experience only).

[@deereneee]

I’m sorry you feel that way! Hopefully you can find a job in healthcare that is perfect for you! I wish you the best of luck

[@rara1800]

@@deereneee nope no more healthcare for me! LOL! But thanks, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have come off to be so negative I was just so frustrated but I really should say that it is extremely important to make sure that you have a good GPA in my case my GPA was not good and I wish I had taken easier classes to help it be higher

[@chloenewman901]

Thanks for this video, it is really helpful. I'm going to start studying OT in Cardiff (Wales, UK) in September and need all the advice I can get. X

[@deereneee]

Thank you so much for your support! :) Good luck with your OT journey!!

[@ot_lifehacker]

congrats!

[@henrym.1290]

once I heard dumebi u got my vote

[@sashadonyae]

video start at 2:00

[@learningtho582]

I HATE THOSE ICEBREAKERS! Honestly they just made the situation more icy, like awkward.

[@kristenlindsay84]

Postgrad reality! Not even in OT, but still true!

[@linustheflatcoatedretrieve3]

Thank you for the information! You remind me of Professor Tyner! She taught Teamwork and Collaboration!

[@deereneee]

Awe thank you haha!! I'm sure they're a great professor! I actually had Dr. Slusser if she is still teaching :)

[@linustheflatcoatedretrieve3]

Deerenee’s The OT Chronicles I’m not sure, I didn’t have her! I had Professor Gibson for Intro to Health Science! ☺️

[@keybandz5555]

Could you get into ot with a bachelors in psychology? I seen on google you can but I just wanted to make sure it’s accurate.

[@deereneee]

Yes!! You sure can that’s a good degree to have!

[@ot_lifehacker]

A lot of my OTD cohort are psychology grads.

[@ritamanninggordon9469]

Love this! starting soon

[@deereneee]

Awe congratulations! Good luck!

[@michaeledwardjohnson3918]

I really enjoyed your video! I've been a COTA for the last 10 years, and now, I'm scheduled to start an MOT program in Sept. I'm really nervous but equally excited, and because I have the summer off before school starts, I just wanted to know if there are any academic subjects I should brush up on before I start in September? Specifically, my concerns are related to prepping for any difficult math components in the OT program. Any advice you can offer would be sincerely appreciated.

[@deereneee]

I would brush up on anatomy! As far as math, neuroscience was the only subject that had a little bit of math besides most evaluations you complete. The evaluations are basic math though so it's not too bad! Hope this helps and congratulations :)

[@noobinzoobinnoobunocat4781]

hi im thinking of pursuing ot as a preffession and was wondering about the pay i love helping people but is it a job with enough pay to support a family?

[@deereneee]

Hi there! And yes OT will! However, pay depends on the settings that you are working with! I would suggest to watch my video on the different settings of OT and then research salaries based on the settings!! 😊

[@user-bc1wx1mg4v]

How did you manage to pay for OT school? And how did you manage your expenses during fieldwork?

[@deereneee]

Hi!! I used the standard graduate loan and then the graduate plus loan from the fasfa!! And how I managed everything was by taking out a little extra at the end of my final academic semester and putting it aside to pay for fieldwork! I also currently work as well!! Hope this helps you 😊

[@Jenny-mj7zu]

Can you get into OT with a bachelors in human services?

[@deereneee]

It’s all about how you market yourself! You also have to make sure you meet the criteria as far as prerequisites as well! Hope this helps you 😊

[@MoreannaLeto]

what school did you go to for OT and is it easy to find a job working with children after finishing school? thanks

[@ayahowl1786]

Yes there’s a lot of jobs in schools, private clinical, nursing homes, and even hospitals

[@alexisfarrior]

I know this is random, but how is the dress code for OT school as far as tattoos, fieldwork wear, etc?

[@deereneee]

Thank you for the comment! Take a look at my ig highlight under OT Q & A! It’s answers those questions for you!! 😊

[@Msnaima85]

Did Deerenee share what school she went to?

[@deereneee]

Stockton University!

[@AnnaLynchYogaandBarre]

Omg all the little fees!!!! SO REAL >_

[@deereneee]

Right haha! It definitely adds up!

[@ot_lifehacker]

oh man yup

[@mehaksharma3294]

Hey i am going to opt occupational therapist diploma but a little bit worried because of job scope, well what is ur advise should i opt this program or not. Like will i be able to get job after completion of 2 year dioloma and what would be pay? Hope u will response!❤️🥀💯

[@deereneee]

Hello! I found a job easily after finishing my degree! The only thing is you have to negotiate your pay because they will try to pay you a low amount if you don't speak up! I would say if you are super passionate about this profession then go for it. But if you are not then I would way other options. This field requires you to really love what you do so if you don't then it'll be hard! Hope this helps you and good luck with your journey!

[@mason8012]

Are you getting your MOT or OTD?

[@deereneee]

I’m getting my MOT

[@mason8012]

@@deereneee oh cool I wanna get my MOT and I’m a senior in high school. I’m trying to get it before the 2027 OTD mandate

[@alejandravelazquez5394]

What school did you go to?

[@deereneee]

I went to Stockton University in NJ!

[@allananyolOTR8748]

Hi ,am late to watch your video,,, actually am a first year of OT in Kenya and am like what? OT?is good you've encourage me

[@kyarasoniar3524]

🫶

[@shaunsavorykitchen]

so basically what your telling me is i should go to school for OT 😊🥹 i’ve been contemplating between OT and speech therapy and i love the part in this video where u talked about getting out of ur comfort zone and growing as a person in so many different aspects and levels