The final leg....

Well, I knew it would come sooner or later.....finally the last leg of the program! I am one week into my final placement at St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. I am working with two S-LPs with out-patients and in-patients on the Neuro/Stroke, Burn/ Trauma, Transplant and Cardio Units in the hospital. I am one week in with 9 more to go. It has been very intersting and eye-opening so far. In the past few weeks I finished my final semester of coursework, my final portfolio, and had our graduation party! Here are some pictures....

Our LAST day of classes!

Handing in the "proof" that I deserve to graduate....my portfolio!

GRAD PARTY.....

Kids are SO cute...

These videos make me smile! Enjoy...

Last semester...

Well, it sure has been an intersting ride so far. I am about to begin my last semester of coursework tomorrow. I will not completely deny the fact that I may someday complete my PhD, but it is nonetheless exciting to think that this will be the last of my formal schooling forever (or at least for a long while). I am SO excited, relieved, and (to be honest) a little bit nervous. Who wouldn't be? School is what I have known or the past 20 years of my life! Can you believe it? I sure can't! The next few months will be tough (lots of work, portfolio development, job interviews etc.) and I am tiring of the routine (homework, papers, reading academic texts, exams, etc.) but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! At the end of this month, we will have our career fair, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking. We are in the process of planning our graduation party and having interview, resume-writing etc. seminars. I am sure that the months to come will bring much excitement and future changes. I am looking forward to figuring out where I will be working after finishing school.

As you may have guessed, I survived my two placements. In the end, I came away having learned ALOT. As I become more indpendent and comfortable in the day-to-day activities of being an SLP, I feel an increased sense of confidence that I have made the right career choice. Each placement has taught me ALOT about myself as a person and professional.

For now, I am savouring the last hours of my week off before I start bright and early in the morning. I have spent the last week relaxing, watching movies, shopping, catching up with family and friends and re-ordering my life after placement. It has been lovely!