Waiting for PT School

[Michael13]

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I got accepted into PT school and do not start until the end of May 2014. I have a lot of time off since I don't have to take any more classes. I was going to work full-time as a PT tech until the time being (to have that experience), however, I don't know how to prepare for the courses (especially my first semester of gross anatomy and functional anatomy). I called the school to ask if I could get the book list to go ahead and start reading, but they said that it is not available until April. They did tell to get an atlas of human anatomy and I think an anatomy book, but I honestly cannot remember what that second book was. Anyways, I got the atlas of human anatomy by Netter (same atlas used for the gross anatomy courses) and I don't know how to exactly go through that book since it's only diagrams and pictures of the structures and nothing else. I don't want to try and memorize the whole book or every structure before gross anatomy because I feel that that is counterproductive and can be more stressful. I also don't want to lose my momentum from school after just finishing this December. I have also seen that some people recommend getting a book to help with memory, but I don't want to develop any bad habits when I study because of a book (if that makes sense). Overall, I am asking what should I do for the time being until school starts. Like how should I study the atlas of human anatomy until school starts and if I should get another book to read along with it? The school also told me that Clinical Oriented Anatomy by Moore was used in the first summer semester last year and I wasn't sure whether to get that also or just save my money until I know exactly what books will be used for the summer semester. Should I get a memory book also or will that will make things worse? I would also love to hear what others did while waiting for pt school and if they did try to study or read until school started. I mainly want to know about my book situation. Thank you in advance!

 

[PTMattI]

I would relax and enjoy your time off before starting classes in May. Before I started I had the same idea as you and tried to learn some anatomy prior to starting but honestly I didnt get a whole lot out of it.... It was 1000x times easier for me to learn all of that stuff once school actually started and I was seeing it in class, in the cadaver and talking about it with classmates. Also, the insertion / origins you learn from one text book might be different than the ones your professor will present.

HOWEVER, if you do want to get a head start, I would personally recommend going over which muscles each nerve innervates and the course of those nerves in the body..for example the course of the radial nerve coming from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, down the radial groove of the humerus, innervates the triceps, brachioradialis, etc... splits into deep radial nerve at the supinator which innervates etc...

 

[markelmarcel]

Honestly, I would recommend enjoying yourself as much as possible. School is demanding and you won't have much of a life when it starts (well, I mean you will... but I had to turn down a lot of events/parties that my friends were hosting because of exams and it's just intense in nature!) And like the other poster stated, the origin/insertion is usually slightly different no matter who presents it, so you may memorize things that won't be "right enough" for the professor. I would instead soak in clinical knowledge as you work as a tech! Ask questions about people's injuries and try to learn as much practical information as possible. It will be much easier to learn in school if you can think back to a particular patient and connect the dots.

Oh, and congratulations!!

 

[rltruong]

Im in the same boat. I start at TTUHSC in may and was thinking of just going over muscle and nerves by getting some flashcards. but time off would be nice too

 

[Michael13]

Im in the same boat. I start at TTUHSC in may and was thinking of just going over muscle and nerves by getting some flashcards. but time off would be nice too

rltruong, I'm going to TTUHSC as well this May! Which campus will you be at?? Congrats, also!

 

[Michael13]

And thank you for the advice guys! I decided to go ahead and relax until May. I feel much better at the thought of doing so!

 

[rltruong]

rltruong, I'm going to TTUHSC as well this May! Which campus will you be at?? Congrats, also!

Awesome man. I was placed at the amarillo campus. wasn't my first choice but amarillo has some good benefits.
-gym membership so won't have to fight for weights at the campus rec with the undergrads
-closer to colorado for skiing/snowboarding.

which campus are you at?

 

[pubicsymphysis]

Relax.

 

[Ennuisitic]

I was wondering the same thing too. Cool I found some future classmates, I am most likely attending Texas Tech. They put me in my 2nd choice campus - Amarillo. I'm just going to take it easy and worry about anatomy during the summer.