Lifelong Learning for the Therapy Professional

In the hectic world as a therapy professional, finding time dedicated to learning can be difficult.

Learning expands your viewpoint, supplies knowledge that you can use to improve your life, makes you more globally aware, and serves as a source of enjoyment. Even through formal higher education and certifications, it can position you for promotions and raises at work. Between shifts, family, and other obligations, sometimes dedicating yourself to advanced education falls by the wayside.

Even those who do appreciate lifelong learning find it difficult to dedicate themselves to this practice. Opportunities for lifelong learning are all around. Big or small tasks - all levels of therapy education are important to pursue as you advance through life. Below you will find a handful of tips to employ lifelong learning into your life as a therapy professional:

• The morning/noon/night fifteen. Use the first or last fifteen minutes of your day as a period for learning. Use this time to catch up on current events, read an article from a relevant academic journal, or join a chat room discussion on relevant therapy subjects (via Lifehack.org).
   
• Read! Though this may seem obvious - reading does wonders for your brain. In fact, in the article, “How Reading Can Improve Your Memory” scientists claim that: “Just like muscles, the brain benefits from a good workout. Reading is more neurobiologically demanding than processing images or speech.”
   
• Teach classes. For those of you who already have received a master’s degree, there are many teaching opportunities at local colleges or universities. As you plan the students’ curriculum and teach various subjects - you will brush up on your knowledge and get paid in the process. If you have an outlet of communicating ideas to others, you are more likely to solidify that learning.
   
• Find a company that encourages development. As a therapist, one of the reasons you chose this profession is the day-to-day challenges it brings. If you feel that your current career in therapy is stale or trite, consider looking for an employer that supports professional development. Many organizations out there give employees yearly stipends for professional development. With this allocation, you can attend a conference, virtual webinar, or buy relevant books. If your employer is an advocate of this - you could even go as far as creating a monthly or yearly wish list of all the events you want to attend or things you want to do.
   
• Go back to school. Last, and probably most involved, is the option to return to therapy school for higher learning. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees are available in traditional universities, and even through online schools which is good option for working professionals. Through obtaining higher learning you are advancing your chances of receiving a raise or promotion. More, you are firing those brain synapses day in and day out - maximizing your daily cognitive activities.

The ability to apply the right knowledge effectively is an important skill and the cornerstone of our success. With the advancement of technology, it is important to always keep ourselves up-to-date. Keep in mind that the lack of knowledge prevents growth as a therapy professional. One reason on why we should commit to lifelong learning is to gain self-improvement.

About the Author: Allie Gray Freeland is the Director of Marketing Communications at CollegeOnline.org. In this role, she serves as Editor-in-Chief for a network of online health and nursing degrees.

Did you like this article? Share it!