One thing I did not think about when I started PT school is DRESS CODE. During orientation, my program went over what’s appropriate for class (i.e. Don’t look like you just woke up or have a hangover. Be presentable.). Fortunately, my program allows us to wear athleisure to not only labs but also in-class lectures. Otherwise, I wear scrubs for clinic days and a PT department polo paired with khakis for guest speakers or professional events. Considering I bike to school, the dress code is convenient for me. Several months ago, I asked PT students on my Instagram story if they are required to we ..read more

Yes, you read that correctly. I believe creativity is the soft skill that all physical therapists have and need to be successful clinicians. If you’re telling yourself, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body,” allow me to change your mind. First, everyone is creative (not just physical therapists). In August, I purchased a book entitled, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron. In the introduction, Cameron explains the fact that everyone is creative. That means doctors, occupational + speech therapists, and our loved ones are in fact, creative. However, in m ..read more

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE free things. I also LOVE being a resource to physical therapy students [more on that later]. During my time as a PT student, I have come across websites, articles, and videos through simple Google searching and classmates sharing their findings. The one thing these resources have in common is that they will help you become the best clinician you can be. 1. PT CRAB (Clinic Research, Awesomely Brief) Luke Hollowmon, a fellow SPT, sends a weekly email newsletter to thousands of PTs across the country with summaries of the latest research articles. He even attach ..read more

To: The person who just finished taking the NPTE Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. You did it! You finished the NPTE. Breathe! If you feel like you crushed it, good for you! Keep up that confidence and take this time to enjoy the rest of the day to do whatever your heart desires. Remember to not discuss the exam with your peers and make them feel possibly worse than they already do. If you are feeling unsure of yourself, that is a valid feeling. You are not the only one that feels this way. I felt this way. Perhaps you’re thinking about the questions you got wrong or making minor complaints ..read more

The headshot I used for my employee bio. Gotta love self-timer! Hello friends!! Long time, no blog post. It’s been a little over a year since I’ve published a blog post. I have been quite busy in the past months. Most of my time has been spent acclimating to my NEW job as a physical therapist. After graduating from PT school and passing the board exam last August, I landed my first real “big girl” job at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in my hometown. As of this month, I have been working for six months, which is surreal to think about. Without further ado, here’s what I have learned so far… Y ..read more

Many outpatient healthcare clinics uphold a “business casual” or “professional” dress code. While tops can range from collared shirts + polos to nice blouses with a “modest neckline,” women’s pants options can feel limited. Business slacks can feel too fancy for kettlebell squat demonstrations, and khakis take you back to elementary school days. Lucky for you, I have found some pants that have both the contemporary style and comfort level to suit your daily work activities. Note: I may make a small commission from some of the links below. Please consider supporting your fellow content creator ..read more

Turning 25 was a formative year for me. I wouldn’t say it was the best year of my life, but there were many memorable experiences from which I gleaned bits of wisdom. There is such a thing as a quarter-life crisis. Moving back home with your parents can lead to a lot of emotional and social conflict. It’s perfectly normal. I even read a thesis on it. I am old enough to take the reins and do things on my own. Journaling is a great form of therapy. Sleep is better than coffee. You don’t have to participate in every social media challenge or speak on every current event/hashtag. Not everyone has ..read more

In my program, the third-year students wrap up the end of didactics by giving a speech about how they discovered physical therapy, what motivates them to keep pursuing the profession, and potential plans after graduation. I’ve already shared a little bit about my background and my PT journey on the blog, but my classmates didn’t know about my blog or the story of how I got here. I also have friends who wish to hear my presentation, so here it is. Like my name, this journey for the DPT is quite unique. My PT journey began in high school. As the only daughter of two Filipino immigrants, choosing ..read more

I watch a lot of YouTube videos, and one of the trends is sharing their favorite purchases from Amazon. I don’t know why I find these types of videos fascinating, but I’m always looking for more practical items to make my life so much easier. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute gift or just curious to see what I’m loving and using on a daily basis, keep reading. If you’re interested in purchasing any of these products, click on the image. Note: I may make a small commission from some of the links below. Please consider supporting your fellow content creator by using their links below. 1 ..read more

Organization and order are things everyone needs in their life. As a physical therapy student, I have accumulated many papers – printed syllabi, research articles, handy graphs + tables, my one-of-a-kind study guides, and the growing stack continues. Organized notes help me understand different PT topics as they build on each other (e.g. In the pediatrics course, we learned about Down Syndrome and hypotonia before having the lab about treating patients with low tone.). Plus, keeping my notes in chronological order brings order to my brain. When you have a system for your notes, you create a fi ..read more