NEW MAY PROGRAM START!!

We are proud to announce that our Saskatoon Campus has opened up a May start date.  This program's first year will run from May to December and it's second year from January to August.  Completing the full program in 16 months means that our students are able to start treating and earning sooner, without diminishing the standard to education PIMT is known for delivering.

We pride ourselves on offering world-class instruction and more hands-on experience than our competitors due to the nature of our Independent Learning - On Campus style program.  We provide 60% of our courses in-house, focused on the practical work our students need to be experienced, capable practitioners; the other 40% of the course is done online, at the pace our students need to be successful.  This set up allows our students to choose when they study best for theoretical components, while still having expert instructors available to assist them and guide them through the information.

If you have been thinking about joining our program, there has never been a better time to join than in our very first May start date.  Space is limited, so apply soon before those seats are taken.  We require a seniour biology (BIO30) and successful completion of High School/GED to be accepted into the program.  Go to our website to apply.  www.pimtmassage.com

Courts Rule "Imbalance of Power" in Recent Case

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-massage-therapist-allowed-to-practise-despite-sexually-assaulting-client-1.2784633 

By now, most massage therapist and a number of other health care, government, and other officials have heard, or at least know of what is going on with this controversial court case.  Laurie Thompson, a massage therapist in Kindersley and Eston, has been convicted of sexual assault on one of his clients.

For all of us in the Massage Therapy profession, this is a huge slap in the face.  We cannot even begin to express our disgust, disappointment, and dread at what this could do for the good standing we have gained in the many years of building a reputation as a professional and necessary health care practice.  As we were discussing this topic at the school, some expressed anger, others frustration, and even some sadness and confusion; "How could anyone think this was ok?" and "Why is he still allowed to practice, that's despicable!" were just some of the comments heard in class. 

We understand how easy it is to read this article and become negative, even to the point of being unprofessional in retaliation; but we would like to point out one very interesting, and under stated fact that has come out of this case: A Saskatchewan Court has now put it on the record that inside of the practice of Massage Therapy there is an Imbalance of Power.  Why is this important?  Because, in order to become a regulated profession (as the defense attorney pointed out we currently are not), this imbalance of power must be recognized by the government before they will put a regulating Massage Therapy Act in place to truly protect the public from the likes of Mr. Thompson.

We see this story, and we are fully against what this man did and are appalled at his clear disregard for the trust and vulnerability placed in his care.  We expect any person who has taken 2200 hours of education and has registered with a professional association to hold the same high standards of practice that we work so hard to uphold; but, let's be honest, there will always be a small percentage of people who make these kinds of mistakes, deliberately or not.  The only safety we can hope for, both for our clients and for the reputation of our profession, is to become regulated as a profession in EVERY province. 

The professional associations in each province do their best to raise awareness, hold to a high code of ethics, and provide disciplinary action where necessary; we commend them for it, and they do a really amazing job balancing the authority they have.  They can only go so far.  What this case has opened up is one simple statement that could change the profession of Massage Therapy in Saskatchewan: "Imbalance of Power"  Let us hope that the government is paying attention, and that Registered Massage Therapists across the province stand up and say, "We DO provide a necessary and beneficial health-care service; we KNOW that our clients choose to trust our education and skills for their betterment; we ARE creating positive changes akin to that of a chiropractor or physiotherapist; we NEED to be recognized by our government in order to keep the small percentage of people who would abuse that power OUT of practice for the sake of the public and the profession."

This may be the turning point for Saskatchewan, and indeed the other non-regulated provinces, if this information, this on-the-record Imbalance of Power, is pursued correctly.  So, yes, be upset, be disgusted and frustrated; also be ready to spread the word and help get our profession regulated so we can prevent this from happening again!

PIMT on Shaw TV's go! Saskatoon!!

We were pumped to hear from Shaw TV's go! Saskatoon host, Liz, about doing a segment on one of their episodes.  Their focus on relaxation and therapy in Saskatoon lead them to our Institute.  Please take some time to check out their YouTube channel or their Shaw channel.  Below is the link to our segment on YouTube.  Enjoy!

Thank you to the students and staff members who bravely spoke for PIMT!  And thanks to Liz and Shaw TV for choosing our school.

Independent Learing - On Campus program

Over the past number of months, we have been working with the Ministry of Education in building and approving a new program: Advanced 2200 Hour Advanced Massage Therapy Independent Learning - On Campus program.  This program has been created to provide the opportunity to become a Massage Therapist while allowing time during the week for other responsibilities.

The 2200 hours is split into two years - approximately 68 weeks -  of 1100 hours.  500 of those hours are completed with online studies and written material (textbooks, etc.) giving approximately 3 hours per weekday; this covers the purely theory classes such as Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Pathology, etc.  500 hours is then dedicated to in class learning of the practical classes (Massage, Hydrotherapy, etc.); these take place on campus on Friday evenings, all day Saturday, and Sunday Mornings.  The last 100 hours per year is the practicum portion, where students practice the techniques in our Teaching Clinic; this takes place on campus under supervision of a Registered Massage Therapist on Sunday afternoons/evenings. 

Each "year" comprises roughly 34 weeks of online and on campus study.  We plan to have a January and September start for the weekend programs, and have started accepting applications for January 2013.  If you are interested, apply online at www.pimtmassage.com to get the ball rolling.

Students interested in this program must have daily access to the internet and at least a basic knowledge of computer skills.  The practical instructor will be available to answer questions and create discussion for the online classes as well, so there is plenty of support for these students.

Tuition for the first year is $8150.00 and textbooks/supplies are approximately $875.00; tuition for the second year is $8100.00 and textbooks/supplies are approximately $600.00.  We have payment plans available as well, so we can fit the needs of our students.

We are also currently offering a tuition and academic credit for Kinesiology graduates for the January 2013 start.  Contact us at saskatoon@pimtmassage.com to learn more.  Nursing and Physiology graduates may also be considered for credit based on an evaluation of prior courses.

We are excited to be offering this option to help expand the field of Massage Therapy and give more opportunity for personal and professional growth to our students.  Contact us for more information.

AND THEY'RE OFF!

AND THEY'RE OFF!

It's the beginning of a fresh year and there is a buzz around campus about the wonder of this amazing profession.  It is always refreshing to start a new academic year; our second years are ready to delve into their final year and our first years are excited to get started.  The energy is charged with hope and expectation.

We ended our first week with an amazing potluck hosted by our second year students to welcome and usher in our newest class.  Congratulations on a meal well made!  Of course, we had the famous iced tea made by our primary second year instructor, along with her wonderful baking.  Such a treat!

This year promises to be an amazing and fulfilling year with classes full of bright students.  As this is our 20th year, we would like to extend an invitation to our graduates to nominate a student from their class to receive a plaque of distinction for their work in the field of Massage Therapy!  If you have an idea of who you would like to nominate, please email us at nominate@pimtmassage.com with a brief description as to why they stand out in their work.

Once again, we thank all the people who have supported us through the years, especially our students and their families.  We appreciate the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest standards of professionalism and conduct; we hope to continue for another 20+ years!

Summer Fun

Hello again world!  Well, the 2012 graduates are out there working and finding work, contracting their well-honed skills, meeting new people, and helping their clients live a healthier, happier life!  As the Director of the Institute, I feel a sense of awe and pride as I see each graduate start on the road to successful careers.  It always amazes me how dedicated they are to their goals and their client's goals.

This year, we have had a total of 23 graduates, of whom 18 have begun working as Registered Massage Therapists or will be starting within the next couple of weeks, 3 are taking a short break before jumping into work, 1 has decided to go back to school for nursing, and 1 plans to look for work within the next few months.  That means this year we'll have an approximate graduation rate of 91% by the end of the summer!  What a testament to the hard work and effort these graduates have given as well as the value they place on their careers, clients, and education!

I cannot tell you how honoured I am to have known these graduates as well as those of the past 4 years.  The commitment and focus our students must have to complete this program is intense; it creates a sense of confidence and self-worth that very few professions can boast.  As our main focus is the well-being of our clientele - ensuring our treatment is suited to their needs, our atmosphere is conducive to rest and quality of life, and our minds are focused on their personal health goals - our graduates take pride in the experience of communicating with and treating each new and return client with the utmost care and respect...and friendliness!  They will spend countless hours creating the best treatment plan and atmosphere for their clients and I am blessed to be even a small part of their journey.

In closing, I would like to say a massive CONGRATULATIONS to the Institute's graduates, old and new, for your success both inside and out of the Institute.  This is what PIMT Pride is all about!

End of the Year Jitters

Hello All!

It is our end of the year!!!  Our students are preparing heartily for exams and the atmosphere is charged with excitement and anticipation for Graduation.  We are so proud every year to know that we are graduating the best of the best in the Massage industry and we hope for great things out of our Alumni.  Each year we witness friendships develop, careers start to take form, and individuals soaring to new heights. 

This year we are happy to host our Graduation Celebration at our new Campus on Cynthia Street.  June 9th, we get to celebrate with the families and friends of our graduates and give them a tearful send-off.    Who is going to receive the special awards this year?  Stay tuned on our facebook page for the announcement of the recipients of our Attendance, Academic, Most Improved, and Best Performance Awards.  We want to thank all the people who have supported our soon-to-be graduates during their 2 years with us!

We are also pleased to watch as our first years work their way through final exams, plan out their summer holidays, and start preparing for the new year.  They have all worked so diligently through the year to earn not only their grades, but their practicum credits as well, and I ask that everyone who reads this blog to come out and show your support for our students by booking into our clinic.  Everyone needs a place to start, and our clinic gives these students the experience they need to be the most effective Massage Therapists they can be and is one of our major components in producing the most qualified and unique therapists out there.

At the end of the year, we wish to thank all of our students for their hard work and the quality of their professionalism and ethics.  They have surpassed our expectations and make us proud to call them students and Alumni!

We also want to show our appreciation for our staff, who have worked tirelessly and efficiently to provide the highest quality of education.  Their leadership and example sets a standard that is unmatched and we are confident that the Therapists coming out of our Institute have gained valuable lessons from the educational experience our staff has given.

Here's a big CHEERS to everyone who has been a part of making this year such an astounding success!  Thank you all!

Mid-Year Excitement

Well, it is coming up to the middle of our year; students are gathering their study notes and are diligently preparing for next weeks midterms and finals!  One of the greatest tools we've found for this more hands-on learning experience is creating information videos in a creative and fun way.  A number of our first years have been putting together videos, and we will sometime record what goes on in class for easy look-back material to study from.  You can find some of this content on YouTube (our channel is called PIMTSaskatoonClass).  We posted the link to our channel on facebook, but here is the link to our channel if you want to see what some of the students have been up to this year.

We are excitedly making preparations to move to our new location (to be announced soon)!  As one of our clinic rooms has been taken over by boxes, we are closing clinic one week early and may keep clinic closed for 1 week after Christmas break, just so we are totally up and running when our clients return!  Keep checking up on us on Facebook and our website to find out what else is new and exciting!!

The deadline for January applications is coming up (this Friday the 10th!!!)  We only have roughly 3 spots left, so if you're thinking about joining us this exciting year, we suggest you get your application in before the weekend!!  The fastest way is to apply online, and you can be sure to hear from us within a couple of days.

PIMT Pride

It has been quite the busy October!  Each year, the first two months of the year are the most packed full of events, excitement, and experiences, and this year has been no exception.  I have included a video of one of the games first years have made to help them remember the material in a positive and enjoyable way!  I hope this gives you an idea about the creative, wonderful students we have this year!

Along with these great ideas, we've gone through our first set of exams this year, and I must say it was very encouraging to see the progress of our first years and the determination of our second years.  Way to go you guys!

In just a couple of days, we'll be spending some time with STC Urban Family Services, volunteering for people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to receive massages!  We are excited to give back to our community.  We'll also be at the University of Saskatchewan in December for Stress-Less!  Come check us out if you're in the area; we'll be beside the library.

At the end of this month, we'll be choosing student reps from each class.  Nominations have been coming in, and voting will take place on Tuesday!  Rep comments to come.

Make sure to check out our website: www.pimtmassage.com for info about our upcoming online options!  Calgary campus will be set up for January, Saskatoon will be set up for September.  We also have continuing education credits available at our online campus!  Sign in as a guest to see what we have to offer.

Oh the Joys of Fall

Almost 2 weeks of classes done, and everyone is in such good spirits.  I took the first years to Kinsmen Park yesterday to learn and review anatomical position, planes and axis points, and directional terms.  We had a roaring good time watching a student do some Highland dancing to show fluidity of movement, undoing human knots, and trust falling for directional understanding.  The year is off with a bang; we can't wait to see what's going to happen next!!

2011 - 2012

The sounds of laughter, foot steps, and lecturing.  The summer has come and gone in a flash and we are excited to see all the new faces and welcome back our now second years!  Classes commenced on August 29 and we are going full force.  Remember guys and gals, as you delve into your studies and start working in the clinic, your time is important to us all.  The more you keep on top of your work and ask questions and get everything you can out of your courses, the better a therapist you will become.  We look forward to walking this journey with you, lending helping hands along the way.  Don't forget to take time to reduce stress while you're here as well.  We're looking forward to many potlucks and fun days to spice up your educational excursion.

While you're here, make sure to remind everyone that we're now accepting students for January.  That's right, January is just 4 short months away and the spots are filling!  If you know anyone looking for a Massage Therapy school, you know where to send them.  Good luck everyone!

PIMT Pride

PIMT Pride is an expression of who we are and the culture we inhabit at the Institute.  We believe in cultivating a positive and challenging atmosphere to give our students a sense of accomplishment in their studies and in the hard work they put into their education.  Our pride is not one of conceit or a hierarchical sense of dominance, but one of confident students becoming competent Massage Therapists.  It is one that states that our competitors do not have our pedigree.

PIMT Pride is the 90+% retention rate we have every year.
PIMT Pride is the 90+% graduation rate we have every year.
PIMT Pride is the 85+% employment rate we have every year.
PIMT Pride is the continued betterment of our curriculum through constant review and revision
PIMT Pride is the qualified instructional team who offer the best of themselves so that our students do not fear bringing their best
PIMT Pride is the dedication of administration to the life of the Institute
PIMT Pride is the team of supervisors working to make our clinic the best it can be
PIMT Pride is our way of saying "you matter to us, let us show you how much" every minute of every day
PIMT Pride is praising those who succeed and those who exceed expectation
PIMT Pride is encouraging those who are struggling and never giving up, no matter what
PIMT Pride is making a difference now so our students will make a difference in the future of Massage Therapy

As we provide the highest standard of education we will cultivate this culture of pride and accomplishment, looking toward our past, present, and future students with an expectancy of greatness.

PIMT PRIDE!

JOIN THE REVOLUTION - Yes YOU!

I know what you're thinking...What revolution is there in Massage Therapy?

If you are a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), you may already know the answer to this question.  If you're not, let me enlighten you.  But first, let me ask you this: Do you want to make a difference in your life and the lives of people you meet?  If you do, please read on and be empowered; if you don't, reading further may change your life!

Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI all have something in common: Massage Therapy is not Regulated through their Health Region; we are all accredited private institutes through an educational branch of our provincial governments and massage associations, but we are still considered secondary health care.  Why?, you may ask, and you would be right to do so!  Because we have only a fraction of the support we could have and, as most of us know, to make change with any governing body, the number of people who support a cause determines the strength and speed of that change!

Doctors, chiropractors, and physiotherapists also all have something in common: they are considered Primary Health Care givers; they all benefit people in one way or another in our ever-present quest for a better lifestyle; they all use extreme measures (at times) to practice.  Their methods serve to help us live a healthier life and to be happy and content.  The only difference (other than technique application) that Massage Therapists have is being considered secondary health care givers.  Our practice focuses on soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc.) manipulation for a number of purposes (increasing joint movement, increasing circulation, improving quality of life) and yet, we are considered to be less important than other health professionals who aim for the same outcome.

Why am I telling you this?  What could you possibly have to do with massage regulation?  Give me a couple more minutes of your time and you may just be surprised by the answer.

Every massage therapist or massage therapy student understands how difficult it can sometimes be to see their profession grow, not only in the eyes of their clientele, but in view of the government.  Not to say we aren't growing ($4-6 Million average expenditures on Massage Therapy in 2003 alone).  Various Massage associations do their best to raise awareness about the benefits of Massage Therapy and the need for regulation, but we seem to be missing something very important: YOU!

Yes, YOU!

May I ask you another question? Oh, good :)  Do you feel like you could have more purpose in your work, that your current lifestyle could be better?  If you answered yes, then you have an option you may not have realized until now: becoming a Massage Therapist.  I know, easier said than done, right? NO! Any RMT out there will tell you three things: (1) what a relief it was to only have to take 2 years of training and get right to work; (2) how fulfilling it is to hear some one say "wow, I don't know what you just did, but I can actually move my neck (or other area)"; and (3) how perfect it is to make their own hours, make $25-50 per hour, and be a part of something with purpose!

You may be thinking, "Ok, what's the catch? Why does it sound like all benefit for me when you said you needed me?"  We do need you!  We need you to be in a Massage Therapy career; not only that, we need you to be successful in that career (which, by the employment rates, is highly obtainable) and to be content with your new lifestyle.  Why?  Because happy, employed professionals with a purpose in life have the kind of voice and presence we need to reach out to our Provincial Health Regions for regulation.

If this has peeked your interest even a little, I encourage you to spend some time looking into a career start or change into this ever growing field.  Here are a few sites to get you started:

• www.pimtmassage.com
• www.saskmassagetherapy.com
• www.nhpcanada.org
• www.massageheightscanada.ca

 To come...Massage Therapy Myths Unveiled!

Looking to the Future

As I was re-organizing the textbook and resources we keep in our library, I came across more study tips and tricks from another reputable author Kevin Patton.  From Mosby publishing came Patton's book "Student Survival Guide for Anatomy & Physiology" 1998, and it surprised me how relevant the information still is to our current and prospective students.

On the inside cover of this little 58 page paper back it says:
"Student Survival Tips for Anatomy and Physiology
1. Have a winning attitude
2. Know your learning style
3. Plan a learning strategy
4. Arrange a suitable study area
5. Plan a reading strategy
6. Analyze your note-taking skills
7. Study actively
8. Use all your resources
9. Prepare for tests
10. Use a test-taking strategy"

So, no matter what education you are taking, these 10 steps can drastically improve the likely-hood you will succeed greatly in your study and test-taking.  Students of all ages, nationalities, and personal preferences should take time to look at their education in view of these steps and consider what they can do better in order to achieve the highest goal possible.

I suggest to any students looking into or already attending Massage Therapy classes to stop by the Saskatoon Campus over the summer to take a look at this book; come, make time to create your educational strategy for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Social Media and Its Impact on Massage Therapy

What is Social Media? Well, if you are reading this, you're experiencing it right now: the world of the web and all the facets of communication it offers. The standing question in my mind and in the mind of many Health Care Professionals is "How does social media impact my practice?" and "How can I use it for my benefit?" and "What are the downsides to social media; where do I draw the line?" All very good and pertinent questions.

Places like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and the various blogging sites available have taken the concept of word-of-mouth and expanded the surface area covered ten-fold. This makes advertising and certain types of marketing simple and affordable if you take the time it may take. It seems that a business that does not have a website may struggle as the next generation becomes their clientele; a generation saturated with on-line presence.

Getting back to the meat of the topic: how do you think social media will impact your business? Will it enhance your productivity or be a weight? How can you position or transition your career to keep up with the expectations of an on-line market

A Brief View of the Year

This has been a very exciting year at PIMT Saskatoon.  We would like to highlight some of the amazing occurrences we've been fortunate to experience this year:

1. This year we are pleased to announce the commencement of our Disabled Student's Equality Program
• This program was created to ensure that each student has an equal opportunity to succeed in the career they choose
• Students who struggle with learning, physical, or psychological disabilities are given the chance to make the most of their education, without being belittled, pushed aside, or forgotten
• We have purposed to create a program that will assist these students in using their strengths in studying, note taking, and examinations while not compromising our evaluation standards
2. As always, we have given our students the opportunity to get out into the community and practice their training through "outreaches" - a supervised time of massage practical and learning
• We started the year working with the Canada Revenue Agency's appreciation day; the students of our first year class had the opportunity to perform relaxation massage for an afternoon
• One of our favourite outreaches is at the University of Saskatchewan's Student "Stress-Less" day; our first year class had the opportunity to work on the students through the most stressful time of year: EXAMS
• We are currently in the midst of an outreach with the MS Society; our senior class is giving over a number of clinical hours specifically volunteering massage treatments for members of the Society (Thank you Cassie for all your help organizing)
• As we look toward the rest of the year, we are looking forward to working with the AIDS Society and the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets
3. We have also had the opportunity to attend a number of career fairs in high schools across Saskatchewan
• In Saskatoon, we visited a number of high schools (including Aden Bowman Collegiate Institute)
• We traveled to Swift Current, Melfort, and Tisdale (to name a few)
4. We are currently working on have a new Part-Time Relaxation Certificate Program approved
• This program would be 250 hours and would certify graduates to work as Relaxation Therapists or Spa Clinicians
• We are currently waiting on approval through the Ministry of Education

In addition to the Institute specific, we have also been a part of the larger picture for Massage Therapy in Saskatchewan:

1. Working alongside the Massage Therapy Association of Saskatchewan and the other Massage Therapy institutes in Saskatchewan to assist the furtherance of the Massage Therapy profession as it pertains to national competencies
• We have been given the opportunity to see and be apart of the action that will hopefully bring legislation to the profession of Massage Therapy - making it a primary health care modality and being recognized as a regulated profession
2. Attending workshops with the Student Financial Assistance Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment, and Immigration - discussing the new initiatives they are putting in place to aid students in their educational endeavours
• Our campus is up-to-date on all information that pertains to financial aid for students in Saskatchewan and are supporting the positive changes SFA has instated for students
3. Spending time with the Saskatchewan Association of Career Colleges, who are tirelessly working toward the betterment of Private Vocational Education in this province
• We are impressed at the willingness of an association to strive for excellence, not only in themselves, but in the Institutes they represent

We have had such an amazing year so far. There is no end to the positive accomplishments and opportunities that we - and others associated with Massage Therapy - can create and/or acquire in this field.

Student Retention, Employment, and Pass Rates

We have recently received statistics from The Ministry of Advanced Education (AE) and The Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan (MTAS) concerning our student's retention, employment, and pass rates.

According to AEEI, we have a retention rate averaged at 90% and a graduate employment rate averaged at 91% from 2006 to 2012 (the 2013 statistics are not available yet).

The MTAS board exam is one of the challenges we mission to prepare our students for each year; this exam not only allows them membership with MTAS, but gives them recognition with the Massage Therapist Association of Canada and access to many continuing education opportunities throughout their career.  The following are the graduate pass rates for the written and practical exams for the 2006 - 2009 years (2010 rates are not yet available):

                         2006                   2007                     2008                 2009
Written               95%                    83%                      86%                  89%
Practical             89%                    77%                      93%                  89%

Our graduates also average at 88% who master the written exam and 87% who master the practical exam.

We are proud to say that our curriculum has prepared and is preparing our students for successful careers in Massage Therapy as alumni of the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy.

RMT Job Opportunity

Registered Massage Therapists in or moving to Lloydminster, AB:

The ad is also posted on the bulletin board at the Institute for PIMT Alumni.

November 22, 2010 Student Meeting Synopsis

Topic: Making class more integrative

First of all, I would like to thank the students who participated in the first student meeting.  The expectations set for the meeting were as follows:

• ·         Student freedom to express opinions
• ·         Students able to have a better understanding of staff goals throughout the year
• ·         Possibly present changes to help make class time more meaningful

Administration and Staff had put together a list of items that we have been working to integrate into class time:

1.  Include a more kinaesthetic approach to instructing where possible
2.  Utilize more visual tools
3.  Making sure to have an overview and summary for each class to assist student focus in class
4.  In the works of a pilot program for the Systems Anatomy: Neurobiology class
1.  Utilizing pre-received note packages to allow for more in-class discussion time
2.  Also allows for more hands-on or group work and Q/A sessions with the Instructor
3.  If successful, we will look into implementing this at various times in future classes

The student’s who attended also presented a number of ideas:

1. Increasing follow-up on out of class readings and assignments
2. Lesson planning that includes a wider variety of instructing types
1. “tell us the information in other words/more than one way”
3. Looking into more continuing education for our instructors

Although not all of these points can be addressed in one year, our instructional staff has met to discuss each of these topics and has come out with a plan of action.  As points 2 and 3 of staff items and 1 and 2 of student ideas can be accomplished congruently, the faculty will focus on these first.  Administration and faculty have been working very closely to update the curriculum to better instruct the widest variety of learning styles without compromising the integrity of the information; we are planning to continue delivering the most accurate and promising course we can provide.

Keep checking up on the progress of these additions to our educational dexterity.  As the year comes to the half-way point, we look forward to watching and helping our students mature and grow personally and in their pursuit of a career in Massage Therapy.

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