First Year OT and OTA Student Toolkit

Congratulations on choosing an exciting and meaningful career in occupational therapy. Starting OT or OTA school can be overwhelming, but you are not alone! Here are resources to help you successfully tackle your first year as an OT or OTA student.

Acing your assignments:

• Evidence-Based Practice Resources for Students
• Tips for a Powerful Student Presentation

Getting along with professors and peers:

• Top 10 Ways to Impress Your Occupational Therapy Professors
• Creating a Cohesive Cohort 

Handling the stress:

• How to Take Control of Stress in OT School
• Overcoming Hardships in OT School: Failing in Order to Win
• Cultivating Mindfulness as an Occupational Therapy Student: Resources to Put Into Practice 

Balancing school and your personal life:

• The Work, School, Life Balancing Act
• 8 Ideas for When You Feel Stuck in OT School
• Getting off the A Train: A Case for Why Well-Rounded Practitioners Don’t Need Perfect Grades

Getting involved and making a difference:

• Student Occupational Therapy Association Handbook
• Many Paths to Leadership: Lessons From Losing an AOTA Election
• Volunteer and Get Involved With AOTA

Top advice from former students:

• Top Tips for New Students: Making the Most of Your OT Journey
• The One Thing all OT and OTA Students Should Know