If you’re on this page, that means you’re interested in attending Salus University. With that, I welcome you! As you read my “Day in the Life,” I hope you find excitement, yet a sense of ease, knowing this can be you. Who knows, maybe you will be typing your “Day in the Life” for the Salus University website soon!
Hello, potential Salamander! My name is Francesca Lucchesi and I am a first-year Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) student and Salus Ambassador. As an undergrad, I attended Temple University, where I obtained my undergraduate degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Science with a minor in Healthcare Management. I also received my certificate in American Sign Language (ASL), a field of study that I hold very dear to my heart!
With the technological improvements and progress in the medical field, Salus University prides itself on innovation. I knew I wanted to help impact the future of healthcare, and Salus University’s SLP program provides a dynamic education that gives me that opportunity. From the astounding faculty to the continual commitment to growth in the field. I’m honored to be able to share these great characteristics of the program and faculty with future students. Let's just say that Salus’s SLP program made an offer I couldn’t refuse!
To give you insight into the program, every SLP student will have the same school schedule. The clinic schedule is what varies from student to student. This semester, I have one Speech-Language Institute (SLI) clinic block on campus, and one preschool clinic block off-campus. One of the biggest advantages of Salus’s SLP program is starting clinical work in the first semester. Like anything in life, starting something new is always daunting. However, I’ve learned throughout the years that if you're scared to make a leap of faith, that is exactly when you are supposed to jump!
Now that you have a basic introduction, let me show you what a Thursday looks like for me:
6:15 a.m.: I wake up, make my bed, and get ready for school. While my coffee is brewing, I’ll pack my lunch. I only pack lunches on Thursday because I have my “long day” of the week with class and then clinic.
7:10 a.m.: I leave for school. To get me through my commute, I listen to either music or a podcast. If I am feeling adventurous that day, I’ll throw on an audible book.
7:50 a.m.: I arrive at school and get ready for classes.
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: With block scheduling, I have two classes during this time. My first class is Prevention, Assessment & Treatment of Communication Disorders. My second class is Adult Language Disorders 2: Traumatic Brain Injury and the Dementias.
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.: This is my break before I have my off-campus clinic block. This is where my clinic block group eats lunch, gets homework done, and/or relaxes before the second half of our day.
2:45 - 5:15 p.m.: Report to a preschool in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. This off-campus site is where we focus on speech, language, social communication, and early literacy skills. Our documentation includes a session plan for each week of KI.
5:15 - 6:00 p.m.: We debrief with our clinical educator (CE) on how the session went, and what we can do better for next time. There is always room for improvement!
7:00 p.m.: Home! I eat dinner, do my nighttime routine, and get cozy in bed with a good book.
