I agree with EMED's post...it really depends on the program. The faculty you have teaching you will make a big difference on how challenging the didactic year will be. Come to think of it, I'm on the downslope of my clinical year & that same faculty is making our year of rotations just as challenging!! Even though we are in clinical rotations we are still required to do patient presentations for our PA class & faculty, write papers, pass OSCE's, etc.
Everyone has a different experience, but at some point in PA school you will likely be pushed to your limits & beyond. So far, the challenges have been well worth it though.
Good luck & if you find that the PA profession is for you...charge full steam ahead!! Medicine is a blast!
M 🙂
now off to get ready for my 4 ER night shifts coming up this week 😴