Not doing well in PA school. Any words of advice?

[NicoleChan]

Hi, I started PA school recently and I was initially really excited, but now I'm in a constant state of stress and self-doubt so I decided to make a post--partially as an outlet, but to hopefully get some advice and maybe hear from other people's experiences as well. Ever since school has started, despite my increasing effort for each exam, my scores keep declining. This feel incredibly discouraging to the point where I feel so demotivated to study or do anything. I've reached out for help, but my advisor would just tell me I am doing alright (even though my GPA is borderline for dismissal right now) and didn't offer me much help. 

I feel really alone because my classmates are actually doing amazing and our class average is also a high B or even an A. I feel like nobody is struggling, but me and this give me so much anxiety and doubt regarding how deserving I am of attending this program and my abilities to survive the rigor for long. It makes me feel even worse whenever my friends complain of not getting an A or a B too. I know I shouldn't compare, but it's still hard to not feel left behind when all the talk about how easy an exam is just goes around. I'm so scared that I'll get dismissed because the debt is huge too. I don't know what else to do right now. 

I've also changed my studying habits, contacted an academic counselor as well as study with friends. I just feel like I'm at my wits end and burnt out from studying endlessly. Does anybody else feel like this or have experienced this? How did you overcome it? Does it get better? Can I make it if I keep underperforming on all my exams? 
 

[VentiMacchiato]

It seems to me you are panicking because you are not doing as well as your friends. Please don't fail to realize that you were picked from the cream of the crop. You obviously outshone a lot more people to hold that space you are sitting in now. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop being so hard on yourself. Are you learning the things being taught or are you just looking for grades As? I think the goal for most of us in PA school was to stay above water. We knew it was challenging. Think about it: why would your academic advisor tell you you are doing okay if you are not? Remember that your failure in the program will also be their failure which will affect their stats so I don't think they will set you up to fail. 

There is an old question: "what do you call the person who finishes last in medical school?" A doctor. 

[UGoLong]

9 hours ago, NicoleChan said:

Hi, I started PA school recently and I was initially really excited, but now I'm in a constant state of stress and self-doubt so I decided to make a post--partially as an outlet, but to hopefully get some advice and maybe hear from other people's experiences as well. Ever since school has started, despite my increasing effort for each exam, my scores keep declining. This feel incredibly discouraging to the point where I feel so demotivated to study or do anything. I've reached out for help, but my advisor would just tell me I am doing alright (even though my GPA is borderline for dismissal right now) and didn't offer me much help. 

I feel really alone because my classmates are actually doing amazing and our class average is also a high B or even an A. I feel like nobody is struggling, but me and this give me so much anxiety and doubt regarding how deserving I am of attending this program and my abilities to survive the rigor for long. It makes me feel even worse whenever my friends complain of not getting an A or a B too. I know I shouldn't compare, but it's still hard to not feel left behind when all the talk about how easy an exam is just goes around. I'm so scared that I'll get dismissed because the debt is huge too. I don't know what else to do right now. 

I've also changed my studying habits, contacted an academic counselor as well as study with friends. I just feel like I'm at my wits end and burnt out from studying endlessly. Does anybody else feel like this or have experienced this? How did you overcome it? Does it get better? Can I make it if I keep underperforming on all my exams? 
 

It can take a while to find your sea legs in PA school. Just concentrate on doing well enough to see the next day!

You might want to go to your school's study center (or whatever they call it) to see if there are other ways of studying you might want to try. I found that different techniques were needed in different courses, at least with respect to my personal needs.

It is good to have friends at school. At the same time, you will each graduate as individuals. Try not to compare yourself to others if it is just increasing your anxiety. Anxiety is the enemy of the focus you need to study effectively.

Good luck.

[TheFatMan]

This is a common feeling and I suspect there might be a component of impostor syndrome going on.

In addition to the above, I'd recommend getting the book Make It Stick as well as a good studying resource such as Pance Prep Pearls or First Aid for USMLE Step 2 (I preferred the latter). I'd also recommend using one of the Qbanks i.e. Rosh or UWorld. AMBOSS is helpful also. Highly recommend using Anki. 

 

[NicoleChan]

Hello, thank you for all of your replies, advice, and reassurance. I have tried really hard to maintain a grateful mindset for still (barely) passing my classes. It has gotten me through most of this quarter. However, I think it's the decline in performance despite increase in efforts that hurts me. I feel so burnt out too. Not sure how much longer I can keep it up. I know complaining won't help, but I think it's worth a shot to share it rather than keep it to myself--in case others are going through something similar so they don't feel alone. 

I truly hope it gets better and I'll just keep working hard. In the meantime, it anybody have more advice or their own experience to share, it would be appreciated too. 

 

I'll definitely check out the recommended books above once I get a chance during break! 

[bike mike]

For me making note cards helped a lot. I also took off every Friday night from studying. Gave me a little mental break every week. 

[Reddyman]

Nicole, 

Many students find that a good assessment by a learning specialist helps. If you have not visited the academic support or student success specialists at your school, that's a good place to start. Here are some problems commonly seen:

1. Poor study techniques. The study habits that helped you succeed in your undergraduate studies may not be sufficient for the study of medicine. You may benefit by using some of the skills described in "Study Without Stress; Mastering Medical Sciences" by Kelman and Straker ISBN 0-7619-1679-2  

We've learned a lot about metacognition and learning in the last few years. It's no longer simply a matter of how hard you study. It's often how you study. If you are not familiar with terms like "pomodoro technique" or "interleaving", you could probably benefit from learning more about how to learn. 

2. With the incredible volume of information you must digest, note-making becomes extremely important. Your notes should be condensed, self-testable, and HANDWRITTEN. Some people do better when they simply change the way they organize their notes.

3. Test anxiety- If you have a good understanding of the material when doing practice questions but seem to "choke" at test time you may suffer from test anxiety. The book I mentioned above has an excellent chapter describing basic approaches to conquering test anxiety.  A good mental health counselor can also help you work through this.

4. Sometimes you need to take a break.  PA school is like running a footrace. If your shoelace becomes untied, sometimes you may need to step aside long enough to tie your laces.  Some students benefit from a personal leave of absence. Check with your program to see of there is a way to do this. It might mean decelerating to the next cohort. But that's usually better than the alternative. 

Best of luck. Feel free to PM me if you like. 

R 

 

 

 

 

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

7 hours ago, Reddyman said:

Nicole, 

Many students find that a good assessment by a learning specialist helps. If you have not visited the academic support or student success specialists at your school, that's a good place to start. Here are some problems commonly seen:

1. Poor study techniques. The study habits that helped you succeed in your undergraduate studies may not be sufficient for the study of medicine. You may benefit by using some of the skills described in "Study Without Stress; Mastering Medical Sciences" by Kelman and Straker ISBN 0-7619-1679-2  

We've learned a lot about metacognition and learning in the last few years. It's no longer simply a matter of how hard you study. It's often how you study. If you are not familiar with terms like "pomodoro technique" or "interleaving", you could probably benefit from learning more about how to learn. 

2. With the incredible volume of information you must digest, note-making becomes extremely important. Your notes should be condensed, self-testable, and HANDWRITTEN. Some people do better when they simply change the way they organize their notes.

3. Test anxiety- If you have a good understanding of the material when doing practice questions but seem to "choke" at test time you may suffer from test anxiety. The book I mentioned above has an excellent chapter describing basic approaches to conquering test anxiety.  A good mental health counselor can also help you work through this.

4. Sometimes you need to take a break.  PA school is like running a footrace. If your shoelace becomes untied, sometimes you may need to step aside long enough to tie your laces.  Some students benefit from a personal leave of absence. Check with your program to see of there is a way to do this. It might mean decelerating to the next cohort. But that's usually better than the alternative. 

Best of luck. Feel free to PM me if you like. 

R 

 

 

 

 

Pretty knowledgeable for a Pre-PA. Good advice.

Edit to add: I see you’ve corrected your status. Thanks, doctor.