Fall 2017 Student News
By Andrew Archibald - Student President
A new school year is upon us and the class of 2019 is already busy settling into Halifax and familiarizing themselves with one another, the campus, and their busy upcoming schedules.
This year’s Dalhousie Physiotherapy Student Society (DPTSS) council has been very busy organizing a ton of exciting orientation events to welcome the incoming class and introduce them to the returning class of 2018. This year’s council consists of Andrew Archibald (President), Emma Aucoin (Vice-president), Lindsay Roach (Treasurer), and Madeline Saunders (Secretary).
The DPTSS wasted no time getting the students involved by holding campus tours as well as a meet-and-greet for the whole student body on August 31st. This was a chance for the first-year students to be welcomed by their 2nd year mentors (we like to call them “buddies”) to Dalhousie. Here at DAL, we promote interprofessional collaboration and consequently prioritized getting involved with our fellow Forrest building occupants, The Occupational Therapy Students! Together we had a night of fun activities to help the first year OT/PTs mingle, followed by the OT/PT sports day allowing them to show off their competitive side.
Additional PT orientation activities have included a scavenger hunt, boat cruise, buddy dinner, and karaoke night. We also saved the best for last! Once again, we are going on the annual camping trip where there will be games played, friends made and a lot of fun to be had. Our primary aim with the abundance of events is to ensure that the new incoming class feels welcome over the next two years within the School of Physiotherapy, the Faculty of Health Professions and ultimately, Dalhousie.
The returning class of 2018 has been busy catching up with professors, staff, and each other’s stories about clinical placements and summer adventures. With one year under their belts they have gained some experience and learned some valuable life lessons. Now they’re ready to take on another year of school to become that much closer to a “Real” Physiotherapist.
With orientation coming to an end and the school year ramping up, "For the Health of It" is just around the corner and we, the school of physiotherapy, are motivated to regain the winning title. The class of 2018 is pumped up and working to get the first year students involved by spreading that excitement! Some of our upcoming fundraising events include a washer-toss tournament, bottle drives, grocery bagging, social nights, and many (many) more! The student body is excited for the upcoming year and ready to start it off with a bang!