Transitioning from High School to College: Advice to PAs on Starting your Freshman Year (Part I)
The craziness of move-in day, including getting acquainted with my new roommate, making sure my room was an exact replica of something from Pinterest, being bombarded with new names and struggling to remember them, and embracing the reality that I was finally on my own, created a buzz of excitement and anxiety. Being independent, as well as adjusting to the greater responsibility and higher academic level of classes for PA school can be scary. The good news is that you are not alone, and you have plenty of resources at your disposal to ease your transition into college life. Here is my best advice for making the most out of your freshman year.
Get to know your PA classmates, upperclassmen and teachers…
These people will be with you for a long time! They know exactly what you’re going through and are the perfect resource for any questions you may have. I promise they won’t bite, in fact, they’re more eager to offer advice and answer questions than you’d think! The PA Program is structured like a support system, not a competition. We are all striving towards the same goal, so start networking!
Also, make friends outside of the PA program…
You have the whole student body to pick and choose from. Meet people who share the same interests as you, and be open to people you usually would not expect to click with. They may surprise you! There are so many clubs you can join, and you also have the option of joining Greek Life as well. There’s no harm in making new friends and expanding your social circle.
Practice time management…
There will be times when you have all the free time in the world, and there will be times when you have three tests, four papers and two presentations all squeezed into the next two weeks. Managing your time is an essential part of college life. Sports, clubs, friends and academics can all be maintained as long as you allot the proper amount of time for each.
Because you are a part of the PA program, you are required to attend meetings. Unless you have a legitimate excuse, you cannot miss these meetings! Some meetings may run late, but you cannot leave early to study for an exam or finish a paper due the next day. Luckily, professors usually assign a date for exams and papers a couple days or weeks ahead of time, so plan accordingly. While you might be used to studying the night before an exam, that won’t cut it in college. Set aside an hour or two each day a couple days before a test to study, especially because material is extensive. Learning all the minute details of the digestive system, endocrine system and urinary system the night before your anatomy exam will be difficult! By managing your time, you’re sure to ace all of your assignments.
Get involved…
To make the most out of your college experience, get involved in things that interest you. Do you want to have more leadership experience and help better your school? Join Student Government Association (SGA). Do you want to help coordinate school events like Wagnerstock? Join College Campus Activity Board (WagCAB). Don’t see something that interests you? Create your own club! As a PA student, you automatically join the Physician Assistant Association (PAA). Volunteer hours are a requirement, and more information will be provided later about how to go about getting your mandatory hours. Getting involved is a great way to make new friends and contribute to the Wagner community.
Complete your 19th unit…
Before the start of junior year, most students would have already completed about 18 units. As a PA student, you are required to complete one extra unit in order to continue on to the professional phase of the program. This unit can be fulfilled with certain AP credits (AP science credits are NOT accepted because you are required to take sciences for the program). If you don’t have the AP credits, you also have the option of testing out of speech or computers. You can also take a summer class at Wagner or at another college or university, as long as Registrar accepts the credits. Don’t freak out, we all had to do it! It’s not as difficult as it sounds, and it’s definitely doable. We’ll talk more about this during your first PA meeting, so save your questions until then!
Seek help if you need it…
Do you struggle with chemistry formulas and concepts? Do you have trouble with grammar when you write papers? Tutors are available to help explain the material to you, and you can make an appointment with a Writing Intensive Tutor (WIT) to help with your papers. Professors can also be reached during their office hours if you have any additional questions outside of class. Don’t be afraid to seek help because the Wagner community wants you to succeed.
Participate in class…
For a professor, there’s nothing worse than silence and blank stares during a class discussion. If you think you have something to contribute, don’t be afraid to raise your hand. Being wrong is okay. Just take it as a learning experience because you’re there to learn anyway.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself…
With your crazy schedule of academics, clubs and social events, your health and wellbeing are very important! Your health should be your first priority. Go to the Health and Wellness Center during office hours if you’re feeling sick because it’s always best to have a professional’s opinion rather than your own self-diagnosis. The professionals at the Health and Wellness Center can order laboratory testing and prescribe medication when you are in need. Eat regular meals, get enough sleep, utilize our gym facilities and make time to do things for yourself (like exploring NYC by taking the free shuttle service to the free ferry!).
Things you might not know you needed:
-Business attire: Business attire for PA meetings is mandatory unless otherwise noted. More information will be provided to you about what you should and shouldn’t wear, but at least have some basic pieces in your closet that you can wear in the meantime. Ladies, you should have at least one pair of slacks, one pair of flats and one business appropriate top. Men, you should have at least one pair of slacks, one pair of dress shoes, one dress shirt and one tie.
-Planner: Mentally keeping track of a busy schedule is difficult! Write down exam dates, paper due dates, and meeting locations and times in a planner to keep track of things in an organized fashion. If you’re more technologically savvy, make use of Google calendar, which is popular amongst the PA upperclassmen. Now is a great time to start getting acclimated to Google calendar because during the graduate years, it’s useful to have a detailed schedule of exams, meetings and events readily available to you on your phone, laptop and/or tablet.
-Proper footwear: The campus is filled with hills and stairs. Girls, if you can work those cute booties with heels, go for it! However, rain and snow can turn the campus into a death trap. Make sure you have shoes with traction, like snow boots for the winter.
College is what you make it, so make the most of it! It is a time for new experiences, new people and new memories. With your support system backing you up, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. It goes by a lot quicker than you’d realize, so make sure to enjoy every moment. Good luck on your first year of college!
