There comes a point in the semester where we really get to realize how quickly time is flying.

I remember when it was orientation week.  I can easily recall the nervousness and excitement we all felt as we were finally able to put faces to names, after spending the entire summer immersing ourselves and transitioning to the graduate life through our three, online courses.

As the mid-semester now quickly sneaks up upon us, I just wanted to share some of our recent accomplishments to remind us that we have come this far and that we are on our way to great things, despite those long days and sleepless nights.

If we have accomplished so much in so little time, I can’t wait to see where we will be in three years.

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Teamwork.

It was something that brought us together early-on and it is what is allowing us to all succeed together, today.

We all cheered each other on during orientation week as we climbed that rock climbing wall. Times can get rough trying to balance schoolwork, research, work, side-projects, and social lives, but we need to remember to keep cheering each other on, just like we did that day.

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Giving. We had our first GIVE Day- a Gannon tradition for generations to come.

It can be difficult to find the time to give back, however, GIVE Day 2016 allowed us to always remember those values in which why we chose to be at Gannon (and why Gannon chose us). As aspiring occupational therapists, it is in our nature to give back.

GIVE Day was just one example. We all had such a great time being able to help those in need and are so excited to have been a part of this important day for all Gannon students, faculty, and alumni.

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Awareness. As a part of our future profession, we have been learning the importance of educating others on being healthy and happy.

We participated in our first Backpack Awareness Day for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) at a local school, here in Ruskin, FL. We all came together for the day to share our knowledge with the community.

The kids sure loved to get a little free-time during the day and can’t wait for us to visit them again!

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Fun! What is an occupational therapy program without a little fun and occupational balance!?

We have all been creating our own group activities from making Halloween-themed paper plates to sensory bottles with glitter and beads! We have all been going out of our comfort zones by learning our strengths and what our leadership styles are.

It has been so fun to see how creative we all can be. There can definitely be some rough times, but to sit together and laugh together, makes it all worthwhile.

These are just a few of the happenings over here! Just remember- if you’re having a stressful day, just think about all that you have accomplished and how much more we all can achieve together. Good luck on midterms from the class of 2019 GU Ruskin!

Sue Ram
RAM002@knights.gannon.edu