2 month break, or a 5/6month break before PT school?

[1027453812]

Hey SDN!

I am excited to start PT school in the summer, but I do have one question.

I am awaiting response from APU in regards to my admission status. Granted I receive acceptance to their program, I have decided that I will choose APU and start in February.

I am currently finishing up my final semester of my undergrad and my question to you all is, what have you guys done in your transition periods between college/post-bacc education/working full time and grad school?

Do you think a 2month break is enough? I am inclined to believe so. I am way too anxious to start PT school and I am aware of what I am getting myself into. I will definitely take the 2 months to simply relax, go on vacation and not work so that I am fully ready for school in February.

But how about the other side of the coin? If I am rejected I will begin PT school in the summer. I am about ready to submit my deposit to Touro U Nevada but I am totally clueless on what to do with a break that long. Should I try to get a job from December-April/May? What have you guys done to really use your time wisely and effectively?

I know this is all on a case by case basis and everyone is different, but all feedback would be appreciated

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[NewTestament]

I got accepted in February and didn't start until September. I was only working part time so I had a lot of time to myself. You might want to go visit family members if they live far away. It might be the last time you see them until you graduate. Read books you want to read, watch movies you want to watch, and visit places you want to visit. Also, it might not be a bad idea to review some of your anatomy. I reviewed my physiology, anatomy, and neuroanatomy the summer before I started school. I still feel the neuroanatomy I learned with all my free time is helping me in my neuroscience courses right now.

Kevin

 

[NewDPT31]

I would try to get a part time job as a PT aide. Nothing too serious, but it will at least introduce you to basic concepts and you can watch the therapists. But like New Testament said...if you have the financial means...travel(europe, etc) or just go anywhere you want in the US. Just get away for awhile. Take your mind off of things. You will not have a lot of time soon, don't waste it. Once you graduate, you don't get month long breaks etc, so just take it easy.

 

[jdaniels360]

Sounds pretty contradictory to me newDPT... PT aide job when you're already into school? Hell no. Get away for as long as you possibly can, because like everyone said, this is precious free time that you won't have very soon. But if it were me I'd take the two month time vs 5-6months. You can get a lot done in that time. 5-6months seems like a loooong time to be away from a school routine. A little too long for my liking. Having said that, i start DPT 3 weeks after I graduate so 2 months seems like an eternity. To each their own. It's a personal preference kind of decision obviously.

 

[HouseDPT]

Whichever you choose, don't review any anatomy or physiology. You'll get enough of it when you're in school. I'll admit that I casually looked over Netter anatomy flashcards before matriculating but, in hindsight, the depth at which I was reviewing ultimately didn't help long-term. It assuaged some of the anxiety that I had before starting classes, but nothing really prepares you for the speed and volume of PT school material. You'll be forced to bust your ass in school so relax until then.

Personally, all other factors being equal, I'd choose the school that has an earlier graduation date rather than heavily weighing the start date. I do feel compelled to say the dates don't really matter that much; pick the cheapest school and then consider if the curriculum suits your learning style and if their clinical education program is varied and accommodating.

 

[02143]

I started PT school less than 3 weeks after I graduated from undergrad, so I would definitely say that a 2 month break would be sufficient. Some of my classmates graduated from undergrad the Saturday before we started PT school on Monday - crazy! Even though I'm only in semester 2 of PT school, it pretty much consumes my time, dictates my weekend schedule, my travel schedule, holiday schedule, etc. Like this year, I'm not going home for Thanksgiving because the break is so short and flights are so expensive - so, I'd definitely spend time with family and do things that you love to do. If I were you, I'd probably only work part time if you start 5-6 months post graduation. Again, your life is about to get bogged down with studying, and unless you're going to make a huge chunk of money in that time, its not worth it. Like others have said though, to each his own! Whats important to me may not be important to someone else...

Don't study before school starts especially since you're going straight from undergrad. You will be fine just starting when the program starts - don't waste your precious out of school free time to study before even beginning the program.

 

[1027453812]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I am more than ready to start PT school and hopefully I am granted the opportunity to start PT school a bit sooner. 5-6 months sounds like AGES to me.

 

[1027453812]

looks like I will be attending PT school in the summer as opposed to the spring. so 5/6 month break it is. holy crap. that sounds like forever. i'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[NewTestament]

PT school will start sooner than you think. Never again will you have so much free time, at least not until you retire.

 

[markelmarcel]

I had almost an entire year... I missed the deadline by 2 courses to apply for a fall 2010 start, so I applied in fall 2010 (got accepted in December) and didn't start until the following August 2011. I got a full-time job and worked from Sept 2010-July 2011. It was one of the smartest things I ever did. I saved a lot of money and it's really helped me get through school.