While Boston University students work to secure jobs and new homes after graduation, not everyone understands the adjustments they must make after college, from paying their own bills and cooking to finding a healthy balance between their new jobs and personal lives.
“College students face a lot of barriers,” said Mandy Patrick, a Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences graduate student. “Transitioning to the real world takes a lot of skills.”
Patrick created a workshop series called “Life After BU” to address questions students may have about their health, financial and personal lives beyond college. The series, which begins Tuesday at 8 p.m., uses occupational therapy to help students maintain healthy lifestyles as they enter the workforce.
“Ultimately, we want to help college students live more successful, happy lives,” Patrick said in an email interview with The Daily Free Press.
As part of her directed study, Patrick set up the seven-week series, which runs every Tuesday in room 101 of the Student Village: Phase II. The sessions will explore multiple topics affecting students and graduates, including sleep patterns, finances, body language, cooking, stress, resumes and time management.
“My area of interest is health and wellness, especially [with] the age group we refer to as ‘emerging adults,’ which is basically college-aged people,” she said.
Patrick reviewed her plans with Karen Jacobs, an occupational therapy professor who is overseeing the directed study. Patrick proceeded to contact Residence Life at StuVi II, where Jacobs lives as part of the Faculty in Residence program, and began working with the office in December on topics and materials.
“I see students talking about these various topics, but they’re not necessarily taking a course that addresses all of the areas of a person’s life,” Jacobs said in a phone interview. “What we’re trying to do with the series is to help people stay healthy and to help people stay active.”
The first session, entitled “The Power of Naps,” is expected to include hands-on strategies to help students achieve a balance between their work lives and personal lives, Jacobs said.
The content of the “Life After BU” series is based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, Patrick said. The guide includes different areas for occupational therapy, including daily living, rest and sleep, work, education, leisure and social participation.
Becky Loya, a College of Communication senior, said she signed up for “Life After BU” to prepare for the changes she will face.
“Even though college students have packed schedules, it is much different than the schedule of someone in the workplace,” Loya said in an email interview. “I’m hoping this program will help me to have the skills to adjust to the new work-life balance I’ll be looking for in a few months.”
Patrick said the workshop will not follow a lecture-type setting, but rather include a “fun and laid-back” approach.
“I hope that everyone leaves each week feeling knowledgeable,” she said, “and empowered to use the information in their own lives.”
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