First Week in the Books

[bluesareblack]

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Well I finally started classes after what seemed like forever. First week went pretty smooth. Orientation all day on Monday then a (mostly) regular week after that. Insert drinking from a fire hose metaphor here. Anyways, they've done a good job easing us in the best they can. My only concerns at this point are feeling out the different professors (what's important, what they'll test us on), and study time. I say study time probably mostly because it's only been one week so I'm still super fresh, and also because I have no idea what is enough. My average day last week consisted of me showing up to school 30-40 minutes early to preview that day's lectures, then being in class (obviously), and after class I would stay on campus until 5:45 or 6 studying and doing assignments. I'd go home, make dinner, call my wife, and maybe have time to read or study a little more before bed but not much. I'm just wondering if that will be enough, or if I'll have to put more time in at night. I've also decided I should make sure to dedicate almost all of one weekend day to studies. Anyways, things are going well so far. I'd love any insight to my schedule so far, and I'd also be interested in anyone else's experiences so far if you've just started like myself.

 

[noyceguy]

Be consistent in your studies. When your stress level rises really high or you can't read the words on the page you are done for the night. For me I always stopped at 9pm and no later unless there was a pressing need. My schedule was go to class, workout/eat/dog, then study til 9pm and call it a day.

 

[runnerflute]

Thanks for sharing your experience here. I'm starting my program with orientation this Friday then my first class weekend (my program is a FT weekend format). I'm planning to start my study schedule tomorrow to do my first week's readings. I'm also working so my plan is to study 2 hours in the AM, go to work, come home and take care of dinner/animals, and then study for another 2-3 hours in the evening. What classes are you starting with? This summer, I'm taking gross and neuro.

I'll feel better once I meet my prof's and get a feel for them. I think I'm overthinking when I don't have a lot of info to go on. Good luck as you get settled in to your program!

 

[bluesareblack]

What classes are you starting with?

My classes this summer, off the top of my head, are:
-Kinesiology and Pathomechanics with lab
-Anatomy with cadaver lab
-Palpation lab
-PT Procedures with lab
-Intro to research methods
-Then a 3 day, 8hr/day block course called PT and Professionalism

Anatomy has been taking some more of my time. You think you know something till you have to find it on the cadaver lol. Not terrible though.

 

[PT2Bee]

lol previewing slides...you're already doing better than me when I started 🙂. My biggest piece of advice for school is to find your balance. You NEED to find time for yourself every day. Gym, TV, shopping, walking, whatever puts you in your happy place. I have never seen burn out quicker than some of my classmates who studied their free time away. As I became more efficient in studying and comfortable in my program, I stopped studying on the weekend unless there was an exam on Monday. Make use of your free time during the schoolday (lunch, between classes) and study. When I did this, my grades were actually a little higher. Find what works for you.

 

[bluesareblack]

Yea, it makes me nervous because my mentor and a few people from his class (the class ahead of me) said they went into their cadaver lab practical over-confident and bombed the first exam. But we have 3 hours of required cadaver lab time per week and they have open lab most days for 1-2 hours. I went in for about an hour and a half earlier and cleared some things up. I plan to spend as much time in there as I can.

 

[PTMattI]

My advice
(some of it already has been mentioned)
1. Find a healthy balance between studying and personal time (gym, tv, going out, etc...)
2. Find out from 2nd years what classes require more time
3. Dont make the same mistake I did which was put too much emphasis on the book knowledge and not emphasize enough practical skills...this hurt me early on in PT school...so practice your goniometry, MMT, special tests, palpation skills, etc...
Good luck and enjoy the ride!

 

[PT2Bee]

Don't let other people's horror stories scare you. You have to find your own schedule. If you feel prepared with 3 hours, 10 hours whatever it is, roll with that. Don't think "oh I have to study all weekend because X bombed the exam." You will be fine.

 

[Dragon416]

I will be starting PT school June 29th and I have the same concern. I have been out of school since 2012 and have become more lazy throughout the three years lol. As the person stated above, I won't know anything until I have the syllabus but that keeps me worrying even more. On another note, I can't believe its been year since starting this whole process, it feels like yesterday I was applying and doing my observation hours. Time really does fly. More so, this SDN site was my holy grail for preparing in interviews, applying to programs, and just communicating with people that are in the same situation you are in. Thanks everyone for being so supportive and helpful! Good luck to everyone going into PT school/applying.

 

[bluesareblack]

This is great advice guys! I should also mention that I'm in a 2 1/2 year program so the credit load each semester is slightly increased. Totally do-able though. The biggest thing that's helping me is treating it like an 7:30-5:45 job. I take a half hour lunch in between and some breaks when I need them. That way, when I get home I can concentrate on dinner, cleaning up, watching some TV, maybe hiking....whatever I need to do. I also have weekends to catch up IF needed.

 

[SympatheticTrunk]

I just finished my first semester of PT school. It is very important to have balance in your life and take time for yourself. The hardest part for me was the last month when we had all of our projects and presentations due on top of tests and practicals. The best way to tackle everything for me was to take it one day at a time. I would stop studying when I felt too overwhelmed or tired. I made sure I had some time every night to unwind and go to bed early. I tried to keep a similar sleep schedule throughout the week. I think that the quality of study time is more important than the quantity. You will find a rhythm soon. It may not be the same thing that worked for you in undergrad, and that's ok. Also with cadaver lab, you need to spend time in there outside of class and make sure you look at every cadaver before the practical, if you do this, you will be fine. Good luck!