Where do you even begin when it comes to preparing to start PA school? It can feel very overwhelming since most incoming students are moving closer to campus, quitting their jobs, and basically rearranging much of their life to begin a hard but rewarding program. I thought that when I started all of my time would be devoted to lectures and studying whenever I was not in class. Although PA school does take up much of your time as a student, there is still time to take care of you and do things outside of studying!
My biggest tip for starting PA school is to start building a routine. Practicing good sleep hygiene is a great place to start. I recommend trying to go to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time as much as you can. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night is going to be so helpful for you when sitting in lecture and for your retention of the material.
I really recommend incorporating something you enjoy doing each day. I personally love to workout and so making sure I go to bed early to wake up and go the gym has been so beneficial for me. There is so much material to cover in school, but it is so important to still take care of you! Whether you love working out, reading books, playing an instrument, etc. it is going to be so important that you still incorporate some time for the things you enjoy in order to take care of yourself.
If you like to meal prep or want to start for school, I find it really helpful to do so on Sunday before each week begins. If you can, I would find a couple recipes you enjoy making and have them handy for when school starts. Knowing my meals are covered for the week helps me focus more on school and stress a lot less.
Beginning PA school can feel very overwhelming especially when you are just starting, but building a routine that you can stick to most days will help you stay focused and less stressed during PA school. Of course there will be days that do not go to your plan, but knowing that the next day is a new day to get back on track always helps me. Find a routine that works for you and remember to stay flexible! Many aspects of your life will probably change, but know that there is a process and you are being set up for success!