Five Things Pre-PAs Should Do Before PA School

Getting accepted into PA school is an exciting milestone, but as the first day approaches, that excitement can quickly turn into a new question: What should I be doing to prepare?

The answer may be less academic than future students expect. PA school moves quickly, but incoming students don't need to spend the months before classes trying to teach themselves the curriculum. Instead, the best preparation combines a little academic refreshment with practical planning, healthy habits and time to recharge.

Here are five things future PAs can do before the journey begins.

There's no need to start reading medical textbooks cover to cover. Teaching the material is the faculty's job, and students will have plenty of time to learn once classes begin.

For those who want an academic refresher, be selective. Reviewing a few foundational topics — such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, musculoskeletal anatomy or cardiac and renal physiology — can help students feel more confident without overwhelming themselves.

Rather than cramming, practice recalling what you already know. Choose a topic, write down what you remember without using notes and then review the material to identify gaps. The goal isn't to master PA school before it starts; it's simply to wake up those academic muscles.

PA school is often described as drinking from a firehose. The individual concepts aren't necessarily what makes the experience challenging; it's the amount of information students must absorb in a short period of time.

Before classes begin, experiment with different study strategies. Practice questions, concept maps, flashcards, study groups and explaining concepts aloud can all help students determine what works best for them.

It's also a good time to become comfortable with organizational tools. Choose a calendar or time-blocking system and a flashcard or study app and use them for a few weeks before school. Learning how an app works is much easier now than during midterms.

A little preparation outside the classroom can prevent unnecessary stress once the semester gets busy.

Students should review their health insurance coverage, schedule routine medical and dental appointments, refill prescriptions and take care of other personal needs before classes begin.

It's also worth taking an honest look at finances. Write down tuition, estimated living expenses and anticipated borrowing, and develop a realistic budget for the months ahead. Knowing the numbers before school begins can eliminate one more unknown during an already significant transition.

Students don't need to create a perfect wellness routine before PA school. Instead, establish a few non-negotiables that can be maintained even during the busiest weeks.

That might mean getting a minimum amount of sleep, eating at least one good meal each day, making time for movement and staying connected with someone outside of the PA program.

Just as important is preparing the people around you. Have honest conversations with partners, family members, roommates and friends about what the next two years may look like. PA school requires a significant time commitment, and there will be periods when students have less time for social activities and other responsibilities. Setting those expectations early can make the transition easier for everyone.

Perhaps the most overlooked way to prepare for PA school is to not prepare for PA school.

Spend time with family and friends. Travel if possible. Enjoy hobbies. Put holiday plans on the calendar. Rest.

There will be plenty of opportunities to study once classes begin, but extended periods of unstructured time become much harder to find.

Future PA students have already accomplished something significant by reaching this point. The months before school should include time to celebrate that achievement and recharge for what's ahead.

PA school will be demanding, but students don't have to arrive knowing everything. They simply need to arrive ready to learn.

The faculty will be there, ready to teach the rest.