Physician assistant (PA) school is known for its high intensity. As you might have already heard, many people describe PA school as “drinking from a fire hydrant.” With a mountain of information to absorb and limited time to do so, finding effective study strategies is crucial.
As a PA student who is halfway through clinical year already, I’m excited to share tips and tricks that have helped me succeed and achieve A’s in all of my classes. These strategies not only helped me stay on top of the coursework but also allowed me to enjoy the process and feel confident about my abilities as a future healthcare provider. Hopefully, you’ll find them just as helpful in your own PA school journey! 😀
Table of Contents
1. Start Early
One of the most effective strategies I’ve found for doing well in PA school is studying early. I know this might seem obvious, but it’s one thing to know it and another to actually do it. For me, I would start looking over material as soon as it came out – which meant before lecture.
“I’ve always said that paying attention in class is the best way to succeed (or reviewing class materials beforehand if you have time). It’s much harder to teach yourself something new and then review it during your studying time, when you could’ve saved yourself time and energy by really trying to pick up and understand the concept in class!” –Rowan B., PA-S
As soon as slides were posted, I would begin creating my own study guide. This approach helped cut down on my studying time significantly, as I wouldn’t need to look at the slides again. By making lectures my second pass-through of the material instead of first exposure, I could also use class time more effectively by solidifying my understanding and asking any questions that I had from my first pass.
Pro tip: Studying in the morning is a game-changer. I’ve found that one hour of focused morning study is equivalent to three hours of studying later in the day. When you’re fresh, your brain is like a sponge. Even though it’s hard, I’d definitely recommend waking up even just half an hour earlier to review. This way, you’ll be getting a good chunk of your studying done early, when your brain isn’t already tired from a full day of classes.
2. Make Your Own Study Guides
Creating personalized study guides from lecture slides and other relevant sources was my ultimate strategy. Instead of passively reviewing slides, I was actively engaging with the material (i.e. breaking it down, restructuring it, and capturing the key concepts in a way that made sense to me), which really helped cement the information in my brain. I would include key information, pictures, and diagrams that were really tailored towards my own learning.
Additionally, as I worked on each study guide, I would naturally come up with questions. I made it a point to either research these questions or ask about them in class to ensure my understanding of the topic was thorough and complete. This approach meant I was truly understanding the material, not just memorizing it. By the time I was done, my study guides were like personalized textbooks that made way more sense than any standard resource.
Pro tip: Want to save time on creating your own study guides? Click here to access the study guides that I’ve made throughout PA school for both didactic year and EOR exams.
(Trust me, these aren’t your average study resources. 😉 )
3. Understand the “Why” Behind Everything You’re Learning
It’s easy to fall into the trap of pure memorization, but investing time to grasp the underlying pathophysiology makes a world of difference. Even though understanding the mechanisms behind different diseases takes more upfront effort, it’ll save you countless hours of studying in the long run.
Once you understand the cause and effect of diseases, studying becomes less about memorizing facts and more about connecting logical dots. Consequently, not only will exams feel more manageable, but you’ll also have a solid foundation that will serve you throughout the rest of your career.
4. Tackle the Hard Stuff First
It’s natural to start with subjects you enjoy or find easier, but tackling difficult topics first was a strategy that helped me immensely. I would always structure my study sessions from the hardest to the easiest topics. This approach ensured that I gave sufficient attention to the areas where I needed it the most while my mental energy was still up. By working through tough concepts early on, each subsequent topic feels more manageable, as you’re building more confidence with every challenging concept you master.
“[Phoebe’s] guides were good for complicated topics, as they simplified and helped me understand the material in a way that classroom slides could not. They were also clear, concise, and well-organized and thus easy to utilize when studying.” –Richard P., PA-S
5. Make a Study Plan
Organization is key so make sure to plan out your studying in advance. Even now during clinical year, I like to create a running study schedule that breaks down all of the material I need to know for an exam into manageable sections, leaving an extra day or two as a buffer for any unexpected delays. By mapping out my days and dividing work, I avoid unnecessary stress and all-nighters because I can see exactly when everything will get done.
Food for thought: You might think you’re fine without a study schedule—until you suddenly realize you have three exams coming up and way more material to cover than you expected. It’s easy to assume you can cram everything into the days leading up to the tests, but when you’re faced with hundreds of pages of content for multiple subjects, it quickly becomes overwhelming.
Avoid that last-minute panic by planning ahead. Breaking material into manageable sections and setting a realistic timeline ensures you have enough time to learn everything thoroughly.
6. Take Sufficient Breaks
Burnout is real, especially in PA school, where the workload can be overwhelming so make sure to take sufficient breaks! Remember, PA school is a marathon, not a sprint.
Pro tip: Continuous studying without breaks can cause the material to blur together, making it harder to retain. What I like to do is group similar topics together, study them, and then take a break afterwards to mentally consolidate the information.
7. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep each night is non-negotiable. I like to aim for at least seven hours of sleep, never dipping below six or pulling all-nighters. You just don’t perform at your best when you’re sleep-deprived, and no amount of coffee or energy drinks can make up for it. I try to prioritize sleep and limit myself to two cups of coffee a week, typically saving them for days with earlier start times.
8. Stay Consistent and Positive
Consistency and a positive mindset are often overlooked but are essential to success. Staying positive, even when the material feels overwhelming, can make a significant difference. Remind yourself why you started this journey and keep your goals in sight.
5 Pitfalls to Avoid (Bonus Information)
1. Waiting Until the Last Minute
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is procrastinating and leaving your studies until the last minute. This leads to unnecessary stress and poor retention of information. You won’t remember much either after the exam and will have to keep relearning it, which is a huge time sink in the long run. Avoid cramming by starting your study sessions early and staying consistent.
2. Memorizing Random Mnemonics
While mnemonics can be helpful, relying on random or overly complex ones can be counterproductive, especially when the letters can stand for almost anything. If a mnemonic doesn’t make immediate sense to you or isn’t easy to recall, it’s better to find another method to remember the information. Simplicity and relevance are key.
3. Using Flashcards for Everything
Flashcards are excellent for memorizing facts, such as medications, treatments, and pathogens. However, they aren’t as effective for understanding concepts or solving multi-step problems. Use them wisely and supplement with other study methods like practice questions and study guides for more complex material.
4. Not Being Selective with Study Resources
This might seem counterintuitive, but using too many study resources can do more harm than good. You don’t need to try every textbook, video, or online guide you come across. Instead, focus on a few high-quality, reliable resources that align with your course materials and exam format. Jumping between resources too often can lead to confusion and wasted time. Consistency is key so stick with your chosen materials and really dive deep into them. When you’re selective, you ensure that your study time is focused and productive, rather than spread too thin across too many sources.
5. Only Studying in Groups
Group study can be a double-edged sword. While it’s a great way to clarify doubts and discuss challenging concepts, it can also be inefficient if done too early. I’ve found it most effective to engage in group study sessions towards the end, when it got closer to exam time.
Pro tip: Study independently first to build a solid understanding. Later on, you can use group sessions to help clarify specific topics and fill in any gaps in knowledge.
Conclusion
PA school is undoubtedly challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to excel. By starting early, staying organized, and focusing on truly understanding the material, you can navigate PA school with confidence. Remember, success is about balance, smart preparation, and taking care of yourself along the way.
Can’t wait to see you in my next article! As always, stay healthy and keep learning. 🙂