Welcome to OsmoHealth Journal
Starting high school comes with a lot of new opportunities, and it is not always clear which ones are actually worth your time. If you are interested in health science, HOSA is usually one of the first activities people mention. At first, it can seem like a big commitment, especially when you hear about the competition and the amount of material involved.
This article is part of the OsmoHealth Journal and is based on my experience as a freshman competing in HOSA for the first time. If you are trying to decide whether to join or just want a clearer idea of what it is actually like, this is a straightforward look at what to expect.
What Is HOSA?
HOSA – Future Health Professionals (Health Occupations Students of America) is an international organization designed for students interested in healthcare careers. It brings together students from various different countries throughout the world, including Canada and the United States, and gives them opportunities to compete, learn, and connect.
Students can choose from a wide range of events, from knowledge based ones like Medical Spelling to more hands-on clinical skills events. Conferences also include workshops, guest speakers, and networking opportunities.
In Canada, the structure is slightly different than others. There are no regional qualifiers. Students compete directly at a national level, which makes the experience even more competitive from the beginning.
My Event: Medical Spelling
I competed in Medical Spelling, which focuses on understanding and spelling medical terminology / diseases under pressure.
The competition has 2 rounds. On the first day, it begins with a multiple choice round that tests your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Then, the top students move on to a live spelling bee the next day, where you are given words out loud and must spell them correctly in front of judges and other competitors.
It is not just about memorization. You need to recognize patterns in medical language and break down unfamiliar words quickly, especially when you are under pressure.
I made it past the first round and into the spelling bee, and eventually placed in the top 8 in Canada!
The Hardest Part: Getting Organized
At the beginning, the hardest part was not the difficulty of the content. It was figuring out how to approach it.
When you first receive your study materials, everything comes at once. There are slides / notes, and long lists of terms. It can feel overwhelming if you try to go through everything without a plan.
What helped me was breaking it down. I looked at how much content there was, how many days I had, and how much time I could realistically study each day. Once I organized everything, it became much easier to manage.
After that, it was just about staying consistent.
Balancing HOSA and School
A common concern is whether HOSA will interfere with schoolwork.
In my experience, it did not. I studied for about 20-30 minutes a day on weekdays starting around December, and then reviewed more in the days leading up to the conference in mid March.
Because everything was planned out, it never felt overwhelming. It was more about consistency than long study sessions. As long as you manage your time properly, it fits into your schedule without affecting your grades or social life.
Workshops
One of the most valuable parts of the HOSA experience is the workshops. These sessions go beyond competition and give you direct exposure to real areas of healthcare.
Before the conference, you can preregister for three workshops. However, you are not limited to just those. You can wait outside other workshop rooms and join additional sessions if there is space, which makes it easy to explore more topics.
One workshop I attended was Your Path to Dental School with Wizeprep. It explained the pathway to becoming a dentist in a clear and realistic way. It covered the steps involved, the pros and cons of the career, and what students should be doing early on. It also talked about extracurriculars and how to approach them with intention.
Another workshop focused on bone fractures and casting. We learned about common fracture types and how they are treated. What made it stand out was the hands-on experience. We practiced placing casts on a partner, which made everything easier to understand. This workshop specifically was always overflowing with registrants and waiting lines outside the rooms.
The third and final workshop I attended was surgical suturing, led by university and medical students from the University of Toronto and McMaster. We learned how to close wounds using suturing kits, with guidance and feedback throughout. It felt practical and gave a real sense of what basic clinical skills look like.
These workshops made the experience more than just studying and competing. They made it feel connected to real healthcare.
Growth Beyond Competition
One thing that is often overlooked is that HOSA is not just about competing for one year. There is a lot of room to grow within it.
As you continue, you can take on leadership roles in your school’s chapter. This can include becoming a co-president, president, or part of the executive team. Some students also help run social media, organize meetings, or mentor newer members.
These roles give you a different kind of experience. Instead of just preparing for your own event, you are helping build a community and supporting other students. It also helps you develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Over time, HOSA can shift from just an activity you participate in to something you actively contribute to.
The Most “Worth-It” Parts
HOSA in my opinion, is definitely worth it because of everything it combines into one experience.
You meet students who are interested in the same field, not just from your school but from others throughout the country. That alone can be motivating.
You also build connections with teachers and mentors, which can shape how you think about your future.
The competition teaches you how to handle pressure and stay focused. At the same time, you develop skills like time management and consistency that apply to everything else you do.
For me, it also made me more certain that I want to pursue a career in health science or medicine.
A Moment That Stuck With Me
One moment that definitely stood out to me and came as a shock was while waiting in line for my event.
Seeing how many students had just chosen Medical Spelling from all the other events made me realize how competitive it actually was!
Later, when I found out I placed in the Top 10 as #8 in Canada, it felt rewarding in a completely different way. It was not just about the result, but about knowing that the effort I put in over time actually paid off.
Is It About Winning?
HOSA includes competition, but it is not only about winning.
You gain more from the process itself. You learn how to manage your time, stay consistent, and perform under pressure. You also get exposure to different healthcare pathways and meet people with similar interests.
If you focus only on winning, you will definitely miss what actually makes the experience valuable.
One Honest Downside
Not everyone wins.
Even if you put in effort, the level of competition is high, especially at a national level. You have to be okay with that.
It is better to approach HOSA for the experience, the learning, and the connections. Winning is a good goal, but it should not be the only reason you participate.
Why HOSA Is a Strong Extracurricular
HOSA is more than just an activity you add to a list. It is an extracurricular that actually shows commitment and direction.
It demonstrates that you are interested in healthcare and willing to put in consistent effort over time. It also shows skills that schools and programs look for, like discipline, time management, and the ability to take on challenges.
If you take on leadership roles throughout your chapter, it adds another layer by showing initiative and responsibility and how you have grown for the better.
More importantly, it helps you figure out whether health science is something you genuinely want to pursue. That kind of clarity is valuable on its own.
Final Thoughts
HOSA is more than just a competition. It is an experience that introduces you to health science in a practical and engaging way.
It helps you build discipline, exposes you to real topics in healthcare, and connects you with people who share your interests. It also gives you opportunities to grow, both as a competitor and as a leader.
If you are interested in healthcare, trying HOSA at least once is worth it. It is one of those experiences that can shape how you see your future.
Resources and Where to Learn More
If you are interested in joining or exploring events further, here are some useful places to start:
These are some of the best places to find accurate and updated information when choosing an event or preparing.
Some SLC 2026 Highlights
Follow along for more student experiences in health science!
Leave a Reply