Surviving Your Didactic Phase

We asked PA program directors for their top tips on surviving the didactic phase.

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to PA school, and that is no small accomplishment. You’ve worked hard to earn a coveted seat at a PA program by taking the prerequisite course work, getting strong grades, seeking healthcare experience, and patient care experience. We know you have a strong passion to improve health outcomes for your patients.

But the hard work is far from over. Most PAs recall their PA education as being the most rigorous and challenging of their academic careers. The hard work will be worth it as you learn how to become an outstanding clinician.

PA education is divided into two phases. The first phase – the didactic phase – is spent in the classroom where students learn the theoretical and basic concepts of medicine, clinical decision-making, and critical thinking skills. Didactic students spend their time studying, test taking, and practicing physical examinations. It can also be a great opportunity to get involved in the PA profession for the first time.

Here’s the advice from PA program directors:

What Program Directors Want You to Know

  1. Stay focused and make your PA education your top priority.
    • “PA school has to be your No. 1 priority, and if it is not, it can be difficult to be successful.”
    • “We warn our students that PA school is the most intensive thing they will probably ever do. They should take care of any problems outside of school (personal, financial, etc.) prior to starting school so they can devote their full attention to the program.”
    • “Be ready from the get-go to put all other things on hold and dig in and study. Don’t wait until you find out that you really do need this to be your only focus because by then you are behind and it may be too late.”
  2. Your old study habits may not be enough.
    • “This is graduate school. Your approach to learning will have to change from what you did as an undergraduate student. Instead of rote memorization of facts, you will be expected to clinically apply the information.”
    • “Spend more time studying then you think you need to – it still won’t be enough.”
    • “Focus weekend studying on gaining depth and breadth of knowledge. Try not to let weekends be catch-up study time.”
    • “Test-taking is a learned skill. Don’t be discouraged if your exam scores don’t reflect your study time and efforts. Learn to answer the question being asked, not what you think, and don’t over-read the question.”
  3. Be prepared and ready to participate.
    • “Participate in class discussion and activities as this is an alternative method of assessment of knowledge and skills by the instructor.”
    • “For any lecture, if you scan the topic reading materials and objectives before class, lectures will make more sense. If you then review those lecture notes the same day, you’ll have already reviewed the information three times! Memorization will become easier.”
    • “Come to class prepared. This includes reading the chapters before class, asking questions, and participating in class lectures. Print and bring to class lecture and reference materials or you may use your laptop in class to take notes.”
  1. Take care of yourself.
    • “Stress can be corrosive, so you need to take care of yourself. Eat healthy food and eat regularly, sleep and exercise.”
    • “Make good use of lunch hours, breaks between classes and holiday breaks.”
    • “Be sure to make time for yourself and take a break from studying. Do something you enjoy, like exercise, watch a movie, or hang out with friends.”
  2. Collaborate with your classmates.
    • “Form study groups and learn from your classmates’ strengths and experiences.”
    • “Aim to interact with a wide number of classmates and do not isolate yourself or huddle with just a few friends.”

Thank you for your interest!

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