As a pre-PA student, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Between completing prerequisite courses, gaining patient care experience, and participating in extracurricular activities, it can feel like you’re walking a tightrope. And to make it even more challenging, PA schools expect excellence in each area. How do you stay competitive without burning out? The key is smart time management, prioritization, and maintaining a healthy balance.

1. Prioritize Your Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses are the backbone of your PA school application. Schools want to ensure that you have the academic foundation necessary to succeed in their programs. So, how do you juggle your coursework with everything else? Here are some tips:

• Understand Your Course Load: Know which courses are your non-negotiables—typically the heavy-hitters like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. These courses often require more time and focus, so plan to take them when you can give them the attention they need.
• Optimize Your Study Schedule: Instead of cramming the night before an exam, create a consistent study routine. Block off specific times each day for reviewing notes and preparing for exams. This will keep you from falling behind and help you retain the material better.
• Use Your Resources: Many universities offer study groups, tutoring, and professor office hours. Leverage these resources to stay on top of your coursework without burning out.

2. Strategically Gain Patient Care Experience

Patient care experience (PCE) is crucial for a strong PA school application, but working long hours while balancing school and other commitments can lead to burnout. The trick is to be strategic:

• Choose the Right Job: Not all PCE is equal. Jobs like being a patient care tech, EMT, or medical assistant provide hands-on patient care, which PA schools prioritize. These jobs often have flexible schedules that allow you to work part-time while attending school.
• Set Realistic Hours: While it’s tempting to rack up as many hours as possible, it’s essential to set a schedule that doesn’t overwhelm you. If you’re taking a heavy course load, consider working fewer hours and balancing the rest of your schedule.
• Track Your Hours: Be diligent about logging your hours from the start. Use tools like this PA School Record Keeper to track your PCE so that you’re not scrambling to pull together this information during the application season.

3. Choose Extracurriculars That Add Value

Extracurriculars are your chance to show PA programs that you’re well-rounded. They also provide much-needed breaks from the academic and clinical grind. The trick is to choose activities that add value without overwhelming you:

• Quality Over Quantity: PA schools care more about your level of involvement than the number of activities you participate in. It’s better to have a deep involvement in one or two extracurriculars—especially those that demonstrate leadership or service—than to spread yourself too thin.
• Make Time for Hobbies: Extracurriculars don’t have to be all about healthcare. Whether it’s sports, art, or volunteering, PA schools appreciate well-rounded candidates with diverse interests.
• Schedule Extracurriculars Wisely: Try to participate in activities during breaks between classes or on weekends when your academic load is lighter. This way, you’re still building your résumé without overloading yourself during peak academic periods.

4. Time Management Tips to Avoid Burnout

The ultimate key to balancing it all? Effective time management. Here’s how:

• Use a Planner or App: Whether it’s a physical planner or an app like Google Calendar, get in the habit of scheduling out your days and weeks. Include time for studying, work, extracurriculars, and—most importantly—rest.
• Block Time for Breaks: It’s essential to schedule breaks and time for self-care. Whether it’s 30 minutes to read a book or an hour at the gym, having regular breaks will keep you energized and reduce your risk of burnout.
• Limit Distractions: During study or work time, minimize distractions by turning off notifications on your phone or using tools like Focus@Will to create a distraction-free environment.

5. Know When to Say No

One of the hardest things for pre-PA students to do is say no. But knowing your limits is essential to avoid burnout:

• Evaluate Opportunities: Not every opportunity is right for you. Before committing to new extracurriculars, volunteer work, or additional shifts at your healthcare job, evaluate whether it fits into your overall schedule and goals.
• Remember Your Long-Term Goals: While it’s tempting to do everything, always keep your end goal—getting into PA school—in mind. You need to strike a balance between maintaining strong grades, gaining quality PCE, and staying healthy, both physically and mentally.

By being strategic about your time and commitments, you can balance all aspects of your pre-PA journey without burning out. Prioritize, stay organized, and remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as building a strong application.