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Summer before starting PA school prep


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I start PA school in the fall. I have only taken Anatomy and Physiology 1 and got a B. The school I will be attending did not require A & P II because I already had many biological courses. I am worried I will fall extremely behind the class in anatomy and physiology. I have read in the forums to get the Netter's anatomy flashcards. Is there anything you all recommend me to study before starting?

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I start PA school in the fall. I have only taken Anatomy and Physiology 1 and got a B. The school I will be attending did not require A & P II because I already had many biological courses. I am worried I will fall extremely behind the class in anatomy and physiology. I have read in the forums to get the Netter's anatomy flashcards. Is there anything you all recommend me to study before starting?

 

Don't say "B" like it's a bad thing. It's not, even though some aspects of modern academia would have you believe that anything less than a 4.0 is somehow failing.

 

Anatomy coloring books have helped a lot of my classmates, especially for identification in lab. And they're somewhat...fun? (Who doesn't like to color.)

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Don't say "B" like it's a bad thing. It's not, even though some aspects of modern academia would have you believe that anything less than a 4.0 is somehow failing.

 

Anatomy coloring books have helped a lot of my classmates, especially for identification in lab. And they're somewhat...fun? (Who doesn't like to color.)

 

I have been coloring away for the past few months :-). I won't start until January... my goal is to get through the entire book :p. 

 

I've read that coloring can help adults with stress too. 

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I enjoyed the coloring books but I'm not sure they actually helped me learn material. When I color I get into a zone... someone can relate I'm sure.

 

I tend to learn best when I'm required to teach. So reading through material and then talking it out helped me. My then-boyfriend and friends didn't give a crap about this stuff and understood even less, but explaining it to them helped me solidify the knowledge.

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Everyone who goes through PA school with have strengths and weaknesses.  A good school deliberately assembles a diverse class.  You might (or might not) struggle with A and P, but you might be strong in some other area.  I would recommend cultivating and encouraging a spirit of collaboration with your classmates, so that you are inclined to help each other. 

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You would get the best answer by asking a second year student at the program you are attending to find out what the class struggles with and then maybe chart a path from there. The problem with trying to learn everything before PA school is that you have no idea where to start, it puts stress on you, knowing what will be relevant, etc. If the adcom picked you, it's likely they see your potential to succeed in their program so relax.

 

I asked the same of some second year at my program and I got a resounding, "stay away from studying if you can, but it you must," look at fluid and Lytes balance.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Studying A&P without direction or assessment is low yield.

Better to do a few other things that will make a difference in your everyday life.

 

If you dont live local to your program, spend a weekend or a few days scoping the place out.

Knowing commutes, where the gym & laundry is, closest grocery store and reasonable places to live will help you save your most precious commodity later:

TIME

 

I was not ready for the amount of information coming at you and how to handle it. I see this happen to students now and there is more information to assimilate. So take your pick of the following:

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

(less expensive)

or

 

Study Without Stress: Mastering Medical Sciences (Surviving Medical School Series)

(more expensive, buy used)

Read either and take the advice to heart prior to starting school. 

 

Save as much money as you can prior to school. It will be 2 years before you work again. You will miss money.

 

Good luck.

G Brothers PA-C

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Save as much money as you can prior to school. It will be 2 years before you work again. You will miss money..

While I agree with Mr. Brothers to a degree, here is something to ponder ...When George Eastman (Kodak fortune/Founder) was once asked why he didn't have children. He said something like: "if I had kids and didn't leave them my wealth, they'd never forgive me. If I gave them my wealth, I'd ruin them." He later committed suicide.

 

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While I agree with Mr. Brothers to a degree, here is something to ponder ...When George Eastman (Kodak fortune/Founder) was once asked why he didn't have children. He said something like: "if I had kids and didn't leave them my wealth, they'd never forgive me. If I gave them my wealth, I'd ruin them." He later committed suicide.

 

Well, there's money ... and there's $MONEY$ ...

 

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While I agree with Mr. Brothers to a degree, here is something to ponder ...When George Eastman (Kodak fortune/Founder) was once asked why he didn't have children. He said something like: "if I had kids and didn't leave them my wealth, they'd never forgive me. If I gave them my wealth, I'd ruin them." He later committed suicide.

 

 

He needed a good estate planning attorney. People like Bill Gates are leaving only a small fraction of their money (still in the millions) to their kids both to protect the kids and the estate. But don't pine for the poor youngsters, the bulk of the estate goes into a "charitable trust" where it won't be taxed and where the kids, along with a hand picked board of directors, will control the money and receive fat salaries. It is much better to control billions of dollars you don't beneficially own than to own millions of dollars.

For Eastman to commit suicide demonstrated total disrespect for his money since way too much would have gone to the tax man instead of where might have done some good.

 

Sent from my KFAPWI using Tapatalk

 

 

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