5 answers
Alexandra
Student
Scranton, Pennsylvania
5
Questions
Asked
740 views
How can I stay calm and not get overwhelmed my first year in the pre-PA program?
I am a senior in high school and I was accepted to a 5 year Physician Assistant program. The first 3 years are regular classes, the last 2 are my clinicals. How can I manage having a job and completing all of my school work without getting stressed out?
#medicine #physicianassistant #college #prephysicianassistant #physician #healthcare
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5 answers
Giavanna DeSimone, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer
11
Answers
Red Bank, New Jersey
Updated
Giavanna’s Answer
It is often recommended that you don't hold a job while in PA school, especially as a full-time student, because programs are extremely time-consuming and rigorous. It is easy to fall behind in PA school and, because you're taught a lot of information in a short period of time, it will be difficult to catch up. Although it is tempting to get a job, right now it is very important to focus on school because failing out or being held back could cost you even more money. You can focus on making money once you graduate from your program.
There are also some financial aid programs such as the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program available that will repay your student loans in exchange for you to work in underserved communities for a period of time once you become licensed.
With all this being said, find studying habits that will give you optimal results, mine was physically writing flashcards and going through them over and over again until I could easily recall the information and making charts to group information together. Create daily and weekly schedules for yourself to follow so that you can stay on track. Give yourself frequent breaks when studying so that you can retain information. And most importantly make sure you take at least 1 full day off to relax and do something you enjoy, no studying allowed.
There are also some financial aid programs such as the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program available that will repay your student loans in exchange for you to work in underserved communities for a period of time once you become licensed.
With all this being said, find studying habits that will give you optimal results, mine was physically writing flashcards and going through them over and over again until I could easily recall the information and making charts to group information together. Create daily and weekly schedules for yourself to follow so that you can stay on track. Give yourself frequent breaks when studying so that you can retain information. And most importantly make sure you take at least 1 full day off to relax and do something you enjoy, no studying allowed.
Vernie Blanco
Pharmacy Technician
20
Answers
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
Updated
Vernie’s Answer
Hello!
If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, try to lay everything out. Plan out your week ahead, to make sure that you are not missing anything. Having a lay out plan can help you eliminate the anxiousness of not doing enough or a lot.
For me, it helps having a planner or using Google calendar, as it helps me plan out the days in my week. It also gives me a peace of mind that I have done my checklist for the day. Another program that you can check out is Notion - it's something that you can use, if you are looking to plan out everything in much more detail.
Having a solid support system like friends, family, or even peers who are in the same boat as you can help. You can help each other, and it will make you feel less overwhelmed as you will have someone that you can talk to and at the same time relate with each other.
It gets better. Goodluck!
If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, try to lay everything out. Plan out your week ahead, to make sure that you are not missing anything. Having a lay out plan can help you eliminate the anxiousness of not doing enough or a lot.
For me, it helps having a planner or using Google calendar, as it helps me plan out the days in my week. It also gives me a peace of mind that I have done my checklist for the day. Another program that you can check out is Notion - it's something that you can use, if you are looking to plan out everything in much more detail.
Having a solid support system like friends, family, or even peers who are in the same boat as you can help. You can help each other, and it will make you feel less overwhelmed as you will have someone that you can talk to and at the same time relate with each other.
It gets better. Goodluck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1858
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
This question is how you plan and prepare for your course work. If you can have a good time management, schedule in sufficient time to prepare you for the school work and the placement. You should have a well plan schedule and avoid the last minute rush. This can help you to relieve the stress. I would suggest the approach below for you :
1. Identify some schedule tool that suits you, e.g. Calendar on phone, Microsoft Outlook, etc.
2. Put in the time for your classes or work
3. Schedule time to complete your assignment and revision
4. Assign some time for doing exercise, hobbies, meeting with friends & family, etc.
5. Make sure you have sufficient time for rest
You do not need to fill in your schedule completely. You can keep some 'Me' time for reflection and relax. Doing Exercise, Enough rest, Have some leisure time, etc. can help you to relieve the stress.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
1. Identify some schedule tool that suits you, e.g. Calendar on phone, Microsoft Outlook, etc.
2. Put in the time for your classes or work
3. Schedule time to complete your assignment and revision
4. Assign some time for doing exercise, hobbies, meeting with friends & family, etc.
5. Make sure you have sufficient time for rest
You do not need to fill in your schedule completely. You can keep some 'Me' time for reflection and relax. Doing Exercise, Enough rest, Have some leisure time, etc. can help you to relieve the stress.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Daniel Kresnanto
Research Assistant
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Balancing time for schoolwork, social life, and self-care. It's better to take fewer classes than you can manage rather than overload classes. Picking up a hobby that you're passionate about. Pacing yourself and not comparing yourself to others. You know what's best for yourself and figure out the best way in order for you to study.
Brandon Gaddis
Process Engineering Manager
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
Hi Alexandra, congrats on being accepted! That's awesome.
It's nice that you're looking to get in front of stress and balancing priorities. Preparing now will help you be successful when the time comes.
There are three keys that I'll share- Balance, Prioritization, and Using Your Resources.
Balance-You'll always encounter things competing for your time. Work, school, family, mental health, etc. The more you can strike balance, intentionally or unintentionally, the easier it'll be to handle all of the responsibilities vying for your time. Make sure not to let yourself burn out or overcommit to any one thing. Put differently, if you know you have a ton of homework and studying be sure to start early, build in specific breaks, and have a plan.
Prioritization- Part of the balance mentioned above relies heavily on being able to prioritize. Something that takes 1 hour and is due tomorrow should be prioritized over something that takes 1 hour and can be completed next week, to be painfully simple. Have a plan for how you'll accomplish everything on your plate and break it down into what you want to do in an afternoon, in a day, in a week, etc.
Using Resources- You won't be in this alone! Your school will have plenty of people, documentation, and materials to help support you. Lean on the experiences of people that have done this before, find a mentor, and be proactive.
Hope this helps and good luck!
It's nice that you're looking to get in front of stress and balancing priorities. Preparing now will help you be successful when the time comes.
There are three keys that I'll share- Balance, Prioritization, and Using Your Resources.
Balance-You'll always encounter things competing for your time. Work, school, family, mental health, etc. The more you can strike balance, intentionally or unintentionally, the easier it'll be to handle all of the responsibilities vying for your time. Make sure not to let yourself burn out or overcommit to any one thing. Put differently, if you know you have a ton of homework and studying be sure to start early, build in specific breaks, and have a plan.
Prioritization- Part of the balance mentioned above relies heavily on being able to prioritize. Something that takes 1 hour and is due tomorrow should be prioritized over something that takes 1 hour and can be completed next week, to be painfully simple. Have a plan for how you'll accomplish everything on your plate and break it down into what you want to do in an afternoon, in a day, in a week, etc.
Using Resources- You won't be in this alone! Your school will have plenty of people, documentation, and materials to help support you. Lean on the experiences of people that have done this before, find a mentor, and be proactive.
Hope this helps and good luck!