You did it. You survived CASPA, nailed your interviews, and finally saw that beautiful “Congratulations!” email hit your inbox. You’re in. You’re going to PA school. 🥳
Now what?
You’ve got a few months before lectures, labs, and late-night study sessions take over your life—and this time matters. So before orientation hits and your brain gets filled with anatomy, pharmacology, and clinical skills, here’s your Pre-PA Bucket List: everything you’ll want to do before your first day of PA school.
☀️ 1. Take an Actual Vacation (and Don’t Feel Guilty About It)
You’ve been hustling for years. Between PCE hours, prerequisites, personal statements, and interview prep, you deserve a real break. Go somewhere new, unplug, and let yourself rest.
You’ll never regret starting PA school rested and recharged instead of running on fumes.
🩺 2. Shadow in a New Specialty
Even though you’re accepted, shadowing isn’t just for CASPA—it’s for clarity. Spend a day or two in a specialty you haven’t seen before. You might discover a new interest (or rule one out before clinical rotations).
💬 3. Thank the People Who Helped You Get Here
Your mentors, coworkers, PAs you shadowed, your letter writers—they’ve been part of your story. A short thank-you note or quick email goes a long way, and it strengthens those professional connections for the future.
💪 4. Focus on Your Health (Physical + Mental)
Your schedule is about to get intense. Use this time to establish good habits—meal prepping, daily walks, or therapy sessions if you need them. The students who thrive in PA school aren’t the ones who study 24/7; they’re the ones who know how to take care of themselves.
💰 5. Make a Simple Budget
PA school is expensive (we’re not sugar-coating it). Create a basic budget so you’re not stressing over every coffee or parking pass. Even tracking expenses now can make a huge difference later.
🧠 6. Refresh Your Anatomy & Med Terms
No need to go full “study mode,” but brushing up on anatomy and medical terminology will make the first few weeks way less overwhelming. Our PA-Cers Membership even has quick A&P and med term reviews you can do at your own pace!
🤝 7. Connect With Future Classmates
Find your program’s Facebook group or GroupMe and introduce yourself. Making a few connections now makes orientation feel like a reunion instead of a first day at a new school.
💻 8. Organize Your Digital Life
Clean up your inbox, organize your documents, and set up folders for each class. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re buried in PowerPoints and need to find that one lecture on antibiotics.
💬 9. Practice Talking About Medicine
Sounds silly, but get comfortable explaining medical topics or your experience out loud. Whether it’s to family, friends, or even your dog, this skill helps later in rotations and interviews.
🌴 10. Do Something That Fills Your Soul
Paint. Hike. Read. Binge your favorite show. Go on spontaneous road trips. You’re about to enter a season of intensity—fill your tank before it starts.
✨ Final Thoughts
This season before PA school isn’t just a waiting period—it’s your reset.
Use it to rest, recharge, and step confidently into this next chapter.
You’ve earned this time. You’ve earned this moment.
Now go check a few things off your bucket list—you’ve got a big adventure ahead. 💙