Studying Physical Therapy requires a lot of time, energy, and most importantly, dedication. I have had this kind of mindset ever since my application for a slot in a physical therapy school was rejected. My applications have been rejected multiple times. Knowing that not only a single organization has rejected my applications means there is something they are looking for that they cannot simply see in me. From then on, I have decided to improve my credentials further until I already 100 percent think that I am already worthy to occupy a slot for a Physical Therapy course in a reputable physical therapy school. Ever since my first applications got rejected, I can say that I have done an exceptional job so far, in improving my knowledge and skills set.
I am currently enrolled in a master’s degree program at the University of Southern California. I am taking up Masters in Teaching for single-subject science courses. Should things go smoothly and according to plan, I shall graduate and acquire my Masters in Teaching Degree by June 2013. So far, I have already completed over ¼ of the entire master’s program in terms of the subject and course requirements. Before, I thought that enrolling in a master’s program is plainly unnecessary because I believed I will always learn more from an undergraduate course. I was wrong at that. I have actually learned a lot more things in my master’s degree classes than in my undergraduate classes. There are also comparable differences between the depths of the discussions in my master’s class. I can see that every student, especially the professors are all knowledgeable in their respective fields. We always discuss new things there and at the end of every day, I always make sure that I got something out of the lectures that we have finished. I believe that this was just my way of ensuring that I grow as a result of what I was doing and not because of something else. The subjects in my master’s program were all very intense compared to the ones I have encountered in my undergraduate course. Instead of identifying such as mere obstacles, I considered them an opportunity—an opportunity to learn and mature academically and professionally. I feel like I also matured personally because of the aggressiveness of the activities and topics that I encounter every day.
What I love about the master’s program I am currently taking is the fact that it encourages s group instead of an individual style of learning. A significant percentage of the total designated time for every class involves group discussions and activities. We even had a special activity wherein we have to show how to properly deal with and educate a group of people who came from different cultural backgrounds. I realized the importance of this when this thought played in my mind. I thought that if I am to practice Physical Therapy in the clinics someday, I should do my best not only in diagnosing the pathology that the patient manifests but also in treating them, mostly through exercise. As an aspiring Physical Therapy student, I know for a fact that I must do a good job in teaching them how to do the prescribed exercises for their condition properly.
One of the most uplifting and knowledge-enriching experiences I had ever since my application got reject was when I was hired as a physical therapy aid for a medical institution. I worked there for a total of 2 months until I finally decided that my master’s degree demands more time and focus. I resigned from that job so that I could focus on one goal, to focus on and finish my master’s in teaching course.
During my not-so-busy months—these are the months before I began attending my master’s degree classes, I took all Physical Therapy prerequisite subjects at the Moorpark Community College. I was able to focus on those subjects, which, in total, are worth 31 units. As a result, my instructors awarded me with excellent grades. I got As on all my subjects except for one where I got a B. Indeed, I learned a lot from those prerequisite classes. I simply did my best because I know they would not be listed as prerequisite classes for my master’s degree if the higher education authorities in our state do not believe that students will be able to use the theoretical and practical knowledge they can gain from such subjects in the future. I realized at that point that Physical Therapy is really the profession that fits a person like me. I know that being a P.T. will not only be a job, but a passion for me.
The things I learned from my undergraduate course and from my master’s degree prerequisite courses, plus the two months worth of working experience as a Physical Therapy aid shall correspond to things that I learned and the improvements that took place ever since I applied for a P.T. student slot last time. All of the things I got from those have greatly improved my knowledge and skills set. Now, I can finally say that I am competent-enough for my chosen course. I know to myself that I can be an asset to whatever organization or institution that will accept me. However, I believe that these knowledge and experiences will never be enough if I am to set providing an ever-increasing quality of medical and rehabilitative care to my patients as my goal.
