First Week: Finding the Rhythm

Kia Ora! Hello! & Welcome!

Week one was a blast! - I suspect you anticipated that this may have been the case. I aced the first neuro-anatomy test on Thursday - too easy! However, there are many more mastery tests to come. Highlight was having two massage sessions during the week; massage of the back and posterior aspects of the lower limbs with appropriate draping, so good! Lecturers and teaching assistants are most helpful, some with distinct personalities. We've taped/strapped, looked at dissections, x-rays, observed how to fix testicular torsion, listened to many good yarns. So far there is a large overlap with content presented from my BPhEd degree; this is good revision and more!

Two social events over the week: Wine & Cheese, and Flat Crawl - both of which I opted out of, but those who did go had a great time. It's a good follow up to physio camp (apparently). All of which are events for the budding 2nd year physio student to look forward to (or avoid, if you're like me haha!!)

New additions to next week's schedule include a physiology lab, blood test for TB and Saturday sport medic meeting (for those interested to practice as a sport medic for local teams. I'm opting in!!). 

I shall get around to taking photos before the end of the first semester.

This weekend will be spent catching up on notes as I only had access to the online material as of Thursday due to my late enrolment. This is a course where slipping behind in class is not advantageous. As Steve Gurney, experienced NZ adventure racer, implores (and one of our lecturers has cottoned onto): The Seven P's ... Prior Planning & Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

Link to the university website containing information on the  physiotherapy school

It was hailing a moment ago and rain is on the forecast - a bit odd, even for Dunedin's weather standards. What ever the weather, have a great weekend!

First day of school

The sun already up, clouds nestled at the edge of the world, warmth beaming through the now opened window as I peer out further around to see the harbour. Ready, Steady, Spaghetti! Or rather; shower, pack a bag and breakfast! With the generous help of Google Maps, I was early for an 8am start. Too poetic? Yep I agree! Lets calm it down a bit eh!

Papers for semester one are:

- PHTY250: Anatomy. Dissection room twice a week, every week!!

- PHTY251: Physiology. The most complex systems known! Bring it on!!

- PHTY254: Rehabilitation Science. Beginning with massage! Wooohoo!!

- PHTY255: Clinical Practice: Beginning with sport medic training! Exciting!!

Things to do, places to be!

- Physio kit: measuring tape, goniometer, balm and a pencil.

- Physio student association membership: wicked shirt, events and discounts! Rob Roy (ice cream shop), see you soon!!

- Uniform, vaccinations, course materials & forms.

- Labs, lectures & readings

- Meeting and greeting the fellow physio students

I had a great first day. There are plenty of things on that list left to be done over the week. The lectures were good; perhaps it is a calm before the storm? I have high expectations for the course and am ready for a large workload. The highlight of lectures today was meeting a few friendly faces! Future patients, you're in good hands!

Welcome :D

Photo of my computer screen! Yay, I got in!!

Thursday 20th. Last minute offer of place for Physiotherapy at Otago.
Friday 21st. Preliminary lecture.
Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd. Find and move into flat.
Tomorrow. First day.

Welcome to my first blog, ever. This is the beginning of my physio journey. By the end of 2016 I will graduate as a physiotherapist. I endeavour to provide weekly highlights, tips, thoughts, opinions. At this point I should disclaim that thoughts and opinions are my own and are subject to change. Additionally: It is likely that I will occasionally use photos/images/video clips that are not my own to illustrate some things (I'm not sure what exactly they will be for yet) - obviously they can be removed if you, the owner, wish for your images to be removed.

I was working at Hammer Hardware in Waimate stocktaking for their building supplies department when I got the call (literally). It was from the health sciences administration team asking me if I had checked my student emails recently. I had been, every day for hope of being offered a place in the physiotherapy programme at Otago University. I answered the phone call saying that yes, I had been, and asking whether I should be expecting any emails - apparently I should have. There was an urgency on other end of the line saying that I should check it before 5pm today. Looking at my clock it was around 4pm! This phone call was very exciting for me even though the lady talking to me could not say whether the email was an offer of place in the programme - I had a feeling that it was!! After thanking her for this information I borrowed a computer in the office at Hammer Hardware to check my student email - sure enough an email was sitting there and I had been accepted. But to officially accept my offer I had to follow the email link. This link was blocked by the Hammer Hardware server, so I abruptly informed the team that I was off home for 10 minutes to check my emails. The expression 'good things take time' could not be more true in that moment. It seemed surreal, for I had almost come to terms with not being accepted into the programme. I was excited! After telling my parents I returned to stocktaking nuts, bolts and suchlike. That evening I helped cart hay bales for the gentleman that offered me the stocktaking job - this was a good end to my Thursday. On Friday I drove down to Dunedin especially for the preliminary lecture and drove back up again straight after to pack. I went on a flat hunt online, found a flat and moved in that Sunday... ready for class on Monday!

Patient history: Me, Phil Butler. Male, 22 years of age. Second year physio student via graduate entry at Otago University, New Zealand. I have a Bachelors in Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science (Otago University). I have met one flatmate who is a 3rd year physio student - the flat is otherwise empty. It's a typical flat for Dunedin, - home of the Scafie culture, with its cold interior (some may call it a genuine indoor-outdoor flow). I expect to find myself sliding down the frosty hill toward the medicine library to thaw my body before class... we'll see.

I had been searching youtube clips over that whole summer period, which seemed to reaffirm my desire to be a physiotherapist. Here are a few that I discovered - some are from medicine students too! When I come across more, I'll add them. Enjoy.

Woohoo!! Physiotherapy!!