The PA program class schedule is no joke. Spending 9 am to 5 pm in class, followed by a few hours in the library afterwards to beat traffic, can easily make it feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Spending hours driving to and from school every day can start to feel more stressful and frustrating because it can feel like such a waste of time, especially when every minute seems to count.
Over time, though, I have started to look at my commute time differently. Instead of a waste, I now view it as extra time. It has now become an opportunity to either unwind or even learn something new. This shift in my mindset has reduced my level of stress a little and made me more productive.
Here are a few things I have tried:
- Listen to podcasts:
- Cram the PANCE
- Make your own podcasts from your personal notes on NotebookLM
- Practice patient assessments or presentations
- Audio books to stay engaged
- Call a family member or friend to unwind
- Drive in silence to help clear my head and mentally reset
- Listen to music
These are just a few things I have tried to help me maintain my sense of self and reduce my level of stress while managing to do one of the hardest things I have ever done. My biggest takeaway from this is that not every minute has to be productive! Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is to give your brain a break. It is important to take the time you need and to make sure you are okay. So, if that means stopping for a little sweet treat on your way home or driving in silence, so be it.