ASOT OTD Handbook: Fieldwork Educator Resources and Information​​

Confidence is a trait that has to do with feeling positive about oneself and one's ability to succeed (Northouse, 2015). For fieldwork students, having confidence in their abilities as student practitioners is sometimes challenging to help them develop. Here are some suggestions that may help you with facilitating confidence during your student's fieldwork experience (Northouse, 2015):

Confidence comes from understanding what is required of you.
Having an awareness of surroundings/circumstances and understanding of responsibilities will help to build confidence.
Having a mentor to show them the way and provide constructive feedback helps to build confidence.
Example: Learning how to drive a car. The student driver needs to understand the rules of driving and have an awareness of the features of the car and the context/environment they're in. They also need to have someone show them how to operate the car and drive safely on busy highways while following driving rules.

 
Confidence also comes from practice.
Practice is something that everyone can do!
Practice provides assurance that the student can do what needs to be done.
Example: Same example of driving a car. The student driver learns safety, skills, and rules by practicing in safe environments like empty parking lots or around the neighborhood block under the supervision of a teacher. The student driver can practice these skills as often as desired, and teacher supervision and cuing will reduce as student skill increases.
Here are some other anecdotal strategies that you can encourage your students to try. These suggestions were borrowed from Peter Economy, The Leadership Guy, as a part of Inc.com.

Stay away from negativity and bring on the positivity.
Change your body language and image.
Don't accept failure and get rid of negative voices in your head.
Be prepared.
For tough times, when all else fails: Create a great list. : )
Northouse, P. G. (2015). Recognizing your traits. Introduction to leadership, 23-24. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

All information found on the OTD Program Fieldwork website is property of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. Information contained in ASOT fieldwork LibGuide may be borrowed or edited with credit given to this program. Please report any malfunctions related to the information or links found on this page to the Academic Fieldwork Director, Juliet Steffe. Email: [email protected]; Phone: 502-873-4227.