Occupational therapy fieldwork is one of the most exciting yet nerve-wracking parts of occupational therapy education. It’s the moment when all the theories, case studies, and interventions you’ve learned start to feel real. But let’s be honest—it can also feel overwhelming. No matter how much you’ve studied, nothing truly prepares you for that first day of fieldwork when you step into a clinical setting and think, “Am I really ready for this?”
In this post we are sharing these essential tips to help make your fieldwork experience smoother and more successful.
Looking back, I remember feeling that exact mix of excitement and self-doubt. My occupational therapy fieldwork experience shaped the therapist I am today, but there were so many things I wish I had known before stepping into that first rotation. Now, after years of experience (and hearing from countless students), I want to share the top seven things that would have made my fieldwork journey smoother—and hopefully, they’ll help you, too!
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7 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Tips
1. Your Fieldwork Educator Is Not Expecting Perfection
It’s easy to feel like you need to impress your fieldwork educator with perfect knowledge and flawless skills.
But the truth?
They don’t expect you to know everything. What they do expect is for you to be eager to learn, ask questions, and take initiative. If you don’t know something, admit it and then find the answer.
When I was on my first Level II fieldwork, I remember panicking because I couldn’t recall the proper technique for a transfer. Instead of freezing up, I asked my educator for guidance. Not only did they appreciate my honesty, but they also used it as a teaching moment. Our occupational therapy fieldwork is about learning, not proving you already know everything.
2. Time Management Can Make or Break You
One of the biggest struggles students face during fieldwork is managing their time efficiently. From documentation and goal writing, to treatment planning, your day can get overwhelming fast. Learning how to prioritize tasks will make your life easier.
A great tip is to use a simple to-do list or planner. Before leaving for the day, jot down key tasks for the next day, such as patient follow-ups, documentation deadlines, or intervention ideas. Staying organized reduces stress and shows your educator that you’re proactive.
3. Be Open to Feedback—Even When It’s Tough to Hear
Feedback is one of the most valuable aspects of occupational therapy fieldwork, but it can also be hard to swallow. It’s easy to take constructive criticism personally, but remember—your educator wants you to succeed. Instead of feeling discouraged, view feedback as an opportunity to grow.
I’ll never forget when my OT fieldwork educator, told me I needed to slow down and truly listen to my patients rather than rushing through interventions. It stung at first, but once I applied her advice, I saw a dramatic improvement in my patient interactions. Looking back, I’m so grateful for that feedback.
4. Your Confidence Will Grow—But It Takes Time
It’s completely normal to feel unsure of yourself in the beginning. Almost every student experiences imposter syndrome, questioning whether they’re cut out for this field. But confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have—it’s something that builds over time with practice.
The first time I led a treatment session, I felt like I was fumbling through it. But by the end of my rotation, I was confidently creating and adapting interventions on the spot. Trust yourself, and give yourself grace as you learn.
5. Use Your Resources—You Don’t Have to Know Everything
There’s a reason why there are so many OT resources available—because no one expects you to have all the answers memorized! If you’re unsure about something, look it up. Use textbooks, clinical guidelines, community mentorship programs like the OT Accelerator, and even online forums to find evidence-based solutions.
Some of my favorite resources during fieldwork included my intervention idea binder (yes, I had an actual binder!) and quick reference guides for assessments. The key is knowing where to find information when you need it.
6. Advocate for Yourself and Your Learning Needs
Every fieldwork educator has their own teaching style. Some are hands-on, while others prefer you to observe first. If you feel like you need more hands-on practice or additional guidance, speak up!
I had an incredible mentor, but during my first few weeks, I felt like I wasn’t getting enough direct feedback. Instead of silently struggling, I asked if we could set aside a few minutes at the end of the day for a debrief. That small change made a huge difference in my confidence and learning.
7. You Will Make Mistakes—And That’s Okay
No matter how prepared you are, you will make mistakes. It’s part of the learning process. The important thing is how you respond—acknowledge the mistake, learn from it, and move forward.
During my second Level II fieldwork, I accidentally documented the wrong patient goal in a note. I was mortified, but my fieldwork educator calmly walked me through the correction process and emphasized that mistakes happen. That experience taught me the importance of double-checking my work and owning up to errors when they occur.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Learning Process
Fieldwork is challenging, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow into the occupational therapist you’re meant to be. You’ll have days where you feel like you crushed it and days where you feel completely lost—that’s normal. The key is to stay open to learning, lean on your occupational therapy fieldwork resources, and trust that you are capable of handling this journey.
Looking back, I realize that every challenge I faced in fieldwork helped shape me.
“You’re going to come out of this a stronger, more confident OT. Trust the process.”
Got fieldwork questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear from you!
This podcast episode is brought to you by the OT Accelerator
Connect with my guest Miri Lee OTD, OTR (OT Miri):
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mirilee
Email: contact@otmiri.com
5 thoughts on “Occupational Therapy Fieldwork: 7 Tips I Wish I’d Known”
That was a really cool podcast episode. Made me take some mindful breaths and appreciate the moment (even though I was stuck in traffic and going crazy just moments before). Thank you for sharing. Many nuggets of wisdom. Much appreciated.
Sure Terry! Miri has such great insight and lots of nuggets shared for SURE!
I’m a second year OT student. In this episode, building clinical reasoning skills while you’re a student was highly encouraged. What are some ways you recommend doing this as a student?
Great question Andrew!
There are A LOT of schools of thought on clinical reasoning, BUT the things I think (just my opinion) contribute to growing in clinical reasoning, involves looking at contextual information of the client/environment/situation vs just theory and dx, as well as starting to see the differences between theory and actual practice. Work on prioritizing problems and being reflective on the treatment sessions/interventions, etc and learn from them.
Easy to say, not so easy to do with limited experience, but I think with each step of a treatment, you really ask yourself “why,” it will help you process the “hows” and “whats” of what you are doing.
A few examples:
WHY am I choosing this intervention first or before another
WHY am I addressing the psychosocial barriers of this client before a physical one (or vice versa)
WHY is this patient behaving in this manner and what are they trying to tell me
If you are able to justify your thought process through EBP or prior experience or patient feedback, etc, the clinical reasoning gets easier and easier.
This is a WHOLE podcast episode in itself 🙂
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