Stress and Studying - Some Helpful Hints

Exams are just over 2 weeks away and students are already starting to plan ahead.  Here are some hints to help while you are putting together your study material:

1. Be Purposeful - work; intend to listen when you're learning
2. Be Selective - figure out what you think is important
3. Get it Right the First Time - if you're unsure, ask!
4. Understand - if given info, put it into your words, develop your own short hand; try to explain it out lout, write it out, teach it
5. Organize - make it easy to follow
6. Recite - hearing it makes it easier to remember
7. Small Practice Sessions - gives you a higher percentage of information recalled

Scheduling:

• When you plan, you reduce stress
• Review right away
• Know material that will be called
• Study when you're most awake
• Study the hardest material when you're most alert
• Take breaks
• Increased fitness=increased learning

New Website

Happy Friday everyone!  Just a quick note to let you know that the new website is up and running.  Visit it at www.pimtmassage.com to take a look.  We will be adding more detail as we make the transition from the old website to the new.

Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan Opportunities

MTAS is an organization dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of the profession of massage therapy and to the protection of the public.  It is a registered non-profit corporation established in 1966.  Currently there are 815 members total, working in towns and cities from border to border in Saskatchewan, with several members also practicing in BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Yukon.

Our mission statement: “We exist to encourage and enhance the art, science and practice of massage therapy by maintaining a high standard of massage therapy; by establishing and maintaining the Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan, Inc. as a leading health professional association; by promoting the health profession through education, accountability, communication and advocacy, and financial stability.”

Members of MTAS have an obligation to obtain competency credits to provide the public with up to date treatment techniques.  For the public’s safety, members follow a detailed code of ethics standard of practice and strict confidentiality policy.

Members of MTAS are the only massage therapists in Saskatchewan who are legally permitted to use the designations RMT and Registered Massage Therapist.  MTAS members are recognized across the country as professional practioners, and are members of the Massage Therapy Alliance of Canada (MTAC).

MTAS undertakes many activities on behalf of our membership - directed toward Government agencies, other health professionals, and the general public, intended to increase the awareness of Registered Massage Therapists.  MTAS also provides benefits through programs and services for those who choose to belong to our Association

We encourage PIMT students to become a member of MTAS and help to collectively protect your profession.

November Schedule

Academic Calendar for November

A Look into the Present

(an article from the October 2009 issue of Massage Post)
by Joshua Peters - 2010 Alumni

Hippocrates once stated (and I’m paraphrasing here) that healing can be communicably spread through touch.  He went on to compare that ability of healing touch to communicable diseases, but I don’t hold that against him…he was just using what information he had.  The point is, there is healing in mere human contact, and if the world 2500 years ago understood that then I didn’t need much more encouragement to pursue an education thusly focused.

                As a 24 year old, not having been in anything resembling a school for six and a half years, the prospect of returning to one (to pursue an education of all things) was a little daunting.  I wasn’t sure if I could handle this new environment, a) because it had been so long since I tried learning anything new, and b) what if all the cool kids teased me?  Are there still cool kids in school?  Only one way to find out, I told myself. 

                What I found was pleasantly surprising.  After the first 10 minutes of an intense swallowing regimen I practice when I’m nervous, the edge wore off and I recognized that these people, the students, the teachers, the administration, are just as scared of me as I am of them!  Kidding.  But what I did find was that everyone was putting forth their best efforts to make the people around them feel comforted and welcomed.  I cannot think of a better atmosphere where one can put down his worries, place his faith in the people around him, and simply focus on the task ahead of him: higher education.  And a host of friends numbering in the hundreds doesn’t hurt at all either (although it may be more like dozens…or, if you’re like me, two or three people who can tolerate you longer than 5 minutes).  Still, the spirit of the school and the people it encompasses warm my heart, and I can scarcely think of a better way to learn than surrounded by people whom you care about…and who return the favour.

Students and Study Techniques

Four Distinguishing Characteristics of a Successful Student:

1. The successful student has a clear educational goal
2. The successful student recognizes that education offers a unique opportunity for intellectual development, and they are willing to subordinate their other concerns to take advantage of that opportunity
3. The successful student has good study skills
4. The successful student has the will to succeed

Helpful Study Techniques

• Preview material before it is taught; even if you just familiarize yourself with the day's material before class, you will be surprised how much more you understand
• If you have a series of exams, study for them in reverse order; this way you give adequate time to each exam, not five days for the first, a day for the second, half a day for the third, etc.
• guess at possible exam questions; sit down and write out answers
• Form a study group to decide what upcoming exam questions might be; everyone takes a question and prepares an answer: you can then swap answers for studying
• Do not get behind; if you relax and let things slide for a while, it is usually too late and too difficult to get back on top of things
• Do an immediate review after class; write things down and make your own notes

DID YOU KNOW?? Two or three hours of efficient study in quiet surroundings does more than ten hours in noisy conditions

Campus Staff - Supervisors

Lindsy Ortman (Lead Supervisor) is a thoughtful and genuine individual.  She graduated from the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy in 2011.  Soon after, she began her work as a Registered Massage Therapistc.  Haley's work as the Lead Supervisor at the Institute has encouraged challenge and growth over the past year, not only for our students, but for our Teaching Clinic as well.

Cora Jabour (Supervisor and Guest Lecturer) is a pleasant and welcoming addition to the staff at the Institute.  She graduated in 2009 and began working as a Registered Massage Therapist.  Cora began her work with us and has brought a positive attitude and diligent work ethic to the Institute.  She also guest lecturers in the area of Myofascial Release and Anatomy.

Campus Staff - Instructors

Tia Schneider is a structured, detailed individual with a love of massage.  She is a Registered Massage Therapist who received her training in Red Deer, AB.  Tia also has her certificate in Stone Massage and has been working diligently at re-working our hydrotherapy program. She brings to the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy a fresh and informative view of human anatomy and physiology, a well-rounded instructional style, and contributes to the positive atmosphere at the Institute.

Becki French is an enthusiastic, cheerful person with an incredible sense of creativity.  She completed the 2200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma Program at PIMT (receiving high honors and attendance awards).  She has also completed the Sports Training and Therapy program, garnering the title Fitness Consultant.  Her diverse education presents a new dynamic to the Institute that has increased our educational standing.  She brings an original approach to the theory and practical aspects of her classes that is appreciated.

Jenn Barnstable is a passionate, intellectual leader who instructs wholeheartedly.  She graduated from the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy, joining the instructing staff in the early 2000's and again in 2012.  Jenn brings an innovative approach to instructing and serves as a leader in the faculty and staff team.   Her unique style serves as an example for the staff and students at the Institute.

Danielle Kennedy has an attitude of success and progress.  After graduation from the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy in 2008, she went on to work as a Registered Massage Therapist in Prince Albert.  She joined the Faculty at the Institute in 2013, commuting each weekend to instruct our independent learning class; she continues to offer sound instruction to the students.  She is not only a good instructor, but is an example for students looking to be entrepreneurs.