Monday, October 29, 2012

A day in my life as a PA student.

I had a request to share what a typical day is like for me being in PA school, so here it goes...


7:00am-wake up get ready for school

8:35am-catch train headed for school

8:50am-arrive at school, prepare for class starting

9:00am-class starts (usually lecture) 15min breaks between each hour of lecture. 

12:00pm-break for lunch (depending on the day, get 15-20 min of reading and reviewing morning lecture

1:00pm-lecture starts again, 15min breaks between each hour of lecture. 

5:00pm- class ends for the day, catch train home.

5:30pm- Workout for 30 min and eat dinner, relax by possibly watching some TV shows. (again depending on impending exams... this can change dramatically!)

7:30pm- stay at home and study in office, or go back to school and study in a group. 

9:50pm- (if at school) catch the train home.

11:00pm- get ready for bed

11:30pm- sleep

This is a typical day, however the schedule is always changing, and each module is significantly different. Activities happen in the afternoons sometimes which breaks up the constant lecturing, but those depend on the module and the amount of info we need to cover. 

Most modules we have time set appart to learn the physical exam skills for the specific organ system. 



 The time set aside for skills during class is usually not long enough to memorize the entire physical exam and have it down for the test, so part of my evening study time involves practicing with classmates. 



Funny Story... So picture a classmate and me practicing our cardiac exam just yesterday evening... I was feeling for his PMI (Point of Maximal Impulse) for the gentle tapping of the apex of his heart. 

It involved him laying on his left side, lifting his shirt up and me pressing the palm of my hand just under his peck pressing firmly to feel for the soft pulse. The table was tall and it was difficult to get my hand over him and in the right place, so I got on the exam table on my knees and honestly- it looked like I was wrapping my arms around him... ha ha. 

It made me think think that it takes some really manly men to be able practice on each other in these awkward positions... not only that, but I could just imagine someone walking in on us and wondering what we were doing! ha ha 

I'm deep in cardiology and will give an update on how the module wen't after I (hopefully) pass the exam... wish me luck!

3 comments:

  1. A great article. Medical study is always very difficult. But it's a great thing when you complete your study. I love medical study. Thanks for share this important tips. Really nice of you. Great work.

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