Navigating Your Path With the My OT Journey Planner

Maribel Macalintal, Hofstra University

There are always new triumphs and challenges for the journey we take as occupational therapy students. Many of us are excited to learn more about our wonderful profession, and yet approaching exams and project deadlines can be stressful. As students, we can become so preoccupied with our studies that we forget to incorporate self-care or professional development into our time. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting didactic learning and fieldwork experiences, uncertainty adds to the anxiety students are feeling during this time. One occupational therapist, Dr. Robin Akselrud, saw a need for students to find balance in their lives and created the My OT Journey planner as a helpful tool.

The My OT Journey planner serves many purposes. Students can use this daily planner to stay on track with weekly and monthly goals and focus on mindfulness. The planner encourages students to keep track of healthy habits, such as finding gratitude, drinking enough water, and getting enough exercise and sleep. It can motivate students to pursue their goals with mantras and calm students with coloring sheets centered on the occupational therapy profession designed by two students (Dasha Epel and myself). The planner also supports professional development by teaching students about topics such as the importance of finding a mentor, learning from failure, and how to set personal goals. As an additional help to students, the planner includes reference sheets on pertinent OT topics and promotional codes that can aid students when preparing for the NBCOT® exam.

The inception of the My OT Journey planner began when Dr. Akselrud witnessed the hardship many occupational therapy students endure as she pursued her doctorate of occupational therapy in 2017. She struggled with discussion boards and virtual classes, and she empathized with current students. As a result, she wanted to create a planner to assist and provide students with the resources she wished she had when she was pursuing her doctorate degree. Self-publishing the planner required intensive labor and teamwork amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

I was honored to participate in helping with this planner. I am one of the two occupational therapy student artists who designed some of the coloring sheets. The opportunity to have my artwork featured in her planner was an absolute pleasure. I was more than happy to oblige, and I am excited that this artwork gets to be shared with the rest of our community.

I currently own a copy of the My OT Journey planner and not only did I enjoy the process of assisting Dr. Akselrud in publishing it, but I also think it is a fantastic book for organization, wellness, motivation, and professional and personal growth. It is a very comprehensive tool that can help guide and motivate all of us throughout the various career paths we take. I highly recommend this product for students as we embark on our own OT journeys.

Maribel Macalintal, MS, is a recent graduate from the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Hofstra University. She is currently preparing to take the NBCOT® exam after completing her most recent Level II Fieldwork placement with the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA). She also serves as Student Affairs Chair of NYSOTA to ensure that students have the resources to become the practitioners they are meant to be. Aside from her leisure occupation of creating artwork, Maribel enjoys social participation with family and friends.