This is the first of a 3 part series from TSPTA board members reflecting on what we learned from our corresponding years in PT school. Enjoy!
So, as I’m sitting here looking back on the last 12 months of my life I’m pretty shocked at how far I’ve come and how much things have changed. Being only 2 weeks into my second year of PT school, the first year is still pretty fresh on my mind.
No better time than the present to share some reflections on what I’ve learned from my first year in UT Southwestern’s DPT program than now!
1. WE HAVEN’T EVEN KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A YEAR???
UTSW DPT Class of 2017 relaxing after finishing the spring semester
If I would have thought about it beforehand I probably knew we hadn't know each other that long yet, but at the time that was a revolutionary thought to me.
I spent 4 years in high school and another 4 years in my undergraduate with the same people every day and I don’t know half as much about any of them (combined) as I know about the other 35 people in my PT class right now.
Spend as much time with your classmates as your can, both in class and outside of it. They quickly become way more than just classmates! Nobody will understand what you’re going through or what you’re talking about (#PTprobs) like they will! Your PT family will always be right there with you!
The class above us and our professors always say “Your classmates will become your family” and they were 110% right about that.
2. “The hardest FUN you’ll ever LOVE”
I heard this quote from a professor during our DPT program orientation and thought to myself “Oh joy.” Everyone knows PT school is tough and you have to devote a lot of your time to it. That’s expected. But, it takes on a little more “bite” when it's not something way off in the distance… and you start tomorrow!
I’ve seen PT school described as having 2 full time jobs. One sitting in class and learning and the second spent refining, and understanding what your learned in the first.
That’s a pretty fair assessment.
That being said, I’m completely okay with taking on the challenge! While studying to 2 AM for an 8 o’clock final or practical may put your dedication to the test, it just makes crossing the finish line that much sweeter!
And, when you finally make it to the top after that 1st year, as your standing on the peak of that mountain and looking back, you really can say, “That was tough…. But that was REALLY cool.”
3. You Reap What You Sow
Odds are pretty good that this time last year I couldn’t tell you a single thing about the glute med. Not a single thing.
I use that as an example because it’s incredible what you can learn in a year. PT school is material dense and there is a lot of expectation on you to learn and understand. Just remember, you wouldn’t be here if you couldn’t handle it!
Review back to the idea of two full time jobs. I started off the year thinking I could probably get away with still keeping my old routine from undergrad...couple hours of TV a night, watching ALL of the NBA playoff games, etc.
I learned pretty quickly it doesn’t work that way!
I had to change the way I studied, focus more on the application of material and not so much on rogue memorization. In a field like Physical therapy where every patient is different and the cookie cutter approach just doesn’t cut it, you have to learn to be flexible.
That in-itself was probably the hardest part about the first year of PT school to me. Learning to think on my feet, to be innovative and to apply what you know, not just fitting it into a multiple-choice question.
But once I got comfortable and learned how to apply my knowledge, I found myself wondering how I ever learned course content any other way. Like the title implied, you will get out what you put in. The more you put into your PT education the more it will give back to you!
Reaping what you sow is a really good Segway into my next topic…
4. PT School is Way More Than Just Going to Class and Passing Tests
I didn’t come into PT school knowing I was going to run for a position on the TSPTA student board. I didn’t even know what it was.
I didn’t know I would go to the Combined Sections Meeting and meet people I had only read about online or had seen in textbooks.
CSM 2016 - Anaheim, CA
But I did!
Doing things like attending the Federal Advocacy Forums, TPTA Annual Meeting, TPTA District Meetings, networking at district PT-on-Tap night and attending CSM are all examples of what PT school can be for PT and PTA students throughout Texas!
Students throughout the state have the opportunity to do as much or as little as they choose. Whether you are interested in the advocacy or political side of physical therapy or just want to now about current “hot topics” there is always something to do.
You never know you just might enjoy yourself!
The TPTA and the districts have events at the local, state and federal levels every year. There is always something coming up to attend and student involvement is always welcome!!
P.S District meetings are great networking opportunities and everyone is always more than happy to talk with students!! You never know, you just might meet a future employer or a new mentor!
5. “Get COMFORTABLE being UNCOMFORTABLE!”
I LOVE this quote.
I first heard it while listening to a speech given by a guest lecture in a talk set up at UTSW. The main idea of the talk that day was to not let complacency or fear of the unknown guide your path to where you want to go.
I might not have blinked at all for that hour because I was so into what the speaker was saying.
I got a lot out of that lecture and I think it was one of the real big moments when I decided that I would try to do more and be more involved! I even put the phrase on my desk as motivation!
Just “get comfortable being uncomfortable” and take on a challenge you normally wouldn’t do! That’s the best way to better yourself and learn from a new experience.
Just remember, “Doubt has killed more dreams than failure ever will”! So go give it a try!
Greg Perry, SPT
TSPTA Vice-President
UTSW DPT Class of 2017
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