It’s been a little over a month since I’ve been back in PT school, so I thought I would share some reflections:
- It’s still hard, but I’m not as overwhelmed compared to last year.
To be honest, I had no idea where my headspace was last year. You know that feeling when you are driving in the car lost in your thoughts, and then you snap back into reality and momentarily wonder where/how you are on the road? That was me last year. I just cruising through school and going with the flow until the gas tank was empty.
- Retaking classes requires patience. As a restart student, there are things I’ve learned that my cohort hasn’t learned. It’s a reminder I tell myself constantly.
While I do remember some of the information I learned last year, there are external factors that influenced the courses I’m re-taking. I’m truly learning everything with a fresh pari of eyes. My classmate asks a question in class that I consider “dumb,” but that’s because I know the answer. There are really no dumb questions. To that classmate, they ask the question because it’s their first exposure to the information, and they need a better understanding. I have to humble myself, and remember I’m re-taking the class for a reason.
- Though there are downsides to online learning, I really THRIVE in an online learning environment.
At one point, I wondered why I did not consider attending a hybrid PT program. [Then again, when I was applying to PT school, hybrid PT programs were new (some not accredited).] Asynchronous lectures allow me to pause, take useful notes, and process the information. If I feel tired in the middle of the lecture, I can pause it and power nap for 10 [more like 20] minutes. Nobody gets mad at you for sleeping during a pre-recorded lecture.
As for “in-person” lectures, my laptop camera is usually off, but I am an active participant. I feel like online school and the global situation at hand provides a learning curve to ensure students are understanding the information. I enjoy responding to questions and comments in the chat box.
- I’m still susceptible to fall back into my old study habits, but I’m quicker to recognize and address them.
After taking my first exam, and getting a decent grade on it, I gained so much confidence. As a result of the confidence boost, I succumbed into procrastinating more and putting off study time. The amount of hours I studied during the week decreased, and then I stopped tracking my hours. Don’t worry, I am doing my best to get back on the study train, espcially since midterms are coming up!!
- I’m a fan of flashcards now! The key is spaced repetition and to use them wisely.
Back in 2018, I downloaded the app Flashcards Deluxe, and I rarely used it. I realized my issues with flashcards in general were my laziness to make them and study them. I overcame my laziness by telling myself, “You only have to make the flashcards once.” With that being said, I only use them for certain concepts. As far as spaced repetition goes, the app does it for you, so you don’t have to worry about which cards you know/don’t know.
- Taking online exams at home is a whole ordeal.
You have to take it in an enclosed room. You have to carry your laptop and do a 360 scan of the room. You have to have a handheld mirror to show there’s nothing on your laptop. You have to make an announce everyone else in your house that they can’t interrupt you for 2 hours. I understand the reasons behind it, and with or without the rules, I do my best to show academic integrity. Just doing the extra steps made me slightly miss taking exams in the freezing testing center.
- The key to AD-FREE lofi beats for studying is searching for the LIVE (24/7) videos on YouTube. No need to pay for premium plans.
This is pretty straight forward. Click here for a playlist.
- God’s timing could not have been more perfect. I did not know what the future had in store for me when I took my break from school, but I see it now.
The world has been going through unfortunate events, but these events have been opportunities for me to be a successful student and future physical therapist. I do not want to go into further details because I want to respect my peers. I’m just really grateful that my program was willing to give me a second chance.
A few weeks into restarting PT school has been full of challenges and triumphs. Not only am I learning PT related concepts, but I’m also learning new things about myself and how I study. Pretty soon, I will returning to my campus for lab activities, so I might have to make a follow up post.
In the meantime, continue to follow my journey #forthedpt on Instagram.
Until next time,
Jordaine Enriquez, SPT