Pursuing a career in physical therapy is no easy task, but it can be a rewarding accomplishment and provide a lifetime of fulfillment in your career. Physical therapists have the opportunity to impact patients’ lives every single day they go to work. Whether it’s alleviating pain, improving mobility and function, or helping a patient recover from an injury, there are plenty of wonderful things about working as a physical therapist. The path to becoming a physical therapist often starts with the completion of a Bachelor’s degree which is then followed by applying to, getting accepted, and attending physical therapy school over the course of a 3-year DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program or a 3+3 model.
If you’re passionate about pursuing a career in physical therapy or getting everything squared away to begin classes soon, we’ve identified some of the best keys for success in physical therapy school.
Make Sure You’re Passionate About Physical Therapy
Going to physical therapy school is a challenge and it will provide you with a rewarding career once you graduate, but you need to make sure that you’re passionate about physical therapy before getting started. One of the best ways you can make sure you’re passionate about physical therapy is to shadow physical therapists or complete several observations. There are many different specialties of physical therapy, and observing different settings can be a helpful tool to determine if there is a specialty you’re truly passionate about.
Evaluating whether or not physical therapy is the right career option for you often starts with seeing what the day-to-day might look like. If you think you might not be passionate about the career after an observation or shadowing, it’d be better to find that out sooner rather than later before you’re investing significant time and spending thousands of dollars.
Reach out to local physical therapists in your area or employers to see if they allow shadow opportunities to get a first-hand look at what a ‘day in the life’ typically looks like for physical therapists. In addition, try to come prepared with some questions you might have to get additional clarification where needed. Observations are also a great way to get first-hand knowledge on some additional tips you can implement for physical therapy school.
Stick to the Plan
One of the best things you can do when getting ready to pursue a career in physical therapy is to make a plan with academic advisors, financial aid counselors, and instructors within the DPT program.
A great way to make sure that you stick to the plan throughout the course of your studies is to make a detailed list of the program requirements, timelines, and additional expectations that will be placed upon you. Most DPT programs will routinely provide this information to you, but it can also be a great idea to create a separate checklist yourself to reinforce your knowledge and keep track of your progress on your own to hold yourself accountable.
To get a better understanding of the plan for your DPT program, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the program requirements, what it will take to pass, if there are additional requirements for graduation, what type of clinical rotations are required, and more. Asking questions will help you stick to the plan and can be an effective way of making sure you graduate on time.
Actively Participate
Active participation is an essential step in all academic studies, especially your physical therapy education. Take the time to attend optional lectures, seminars, conferences, and office hours to get the most out of your education. As you learn new information, you may find that you want additional instruction and guidance on certain topics, so don’t be afraid to go the extra mile and seek clarification where needed and don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructors.
When your instructors are polling the class for questions or seeking assistance with instruction, don’t be afraid to get involved and help out. Don’t be afraid to speak out and ask for assistance. The school is there to support you and help you achieve success.
Active participation in your studies will help you improve your retention, network with peers and instructors, and help you get a better understanding of what’s going on in the larger realm of physical therapy at conferences and seminars.
Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
Success in school often boils down to focusing on what you can control and tuning out additional noise that can get in the way of your studies. One of the things that can get in the way of your academic studies and physical therapy career ambitions is comparing yourself to others. Comparing yourself to others, both in the program and outside, can be detrimental to your success while attending physical therapy school.
In the same way that no two students learn the same, no two academic journeys will be the same either. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on what you can control, your commitment to excellence within the program. Take pride in your achievements as they come in and use your future goals and success as intrinsic motivators.
Be Prepared for Extra Work
One of the key aspects of physical therapy school is the work involved, both inside the classroom and outside. You should be prepared to put in extra work to succeed as a physical therapy student. Passing physical therapy schools and the board examinations at the end of the program means that you’ll need to put in a significant amount of time and effort into your studies.
Tips to succeed include:
- Creating flashcards
- Reviewing study guides
- Highlighting reading materials and course notes
Whether it’s creating flashcards, reviewing study guides, highlighting reading materials, or other great study habits, you’ll consistently have something to do to help you in your studies. You should plan on studying every day and managing your time in and outside of the classroom will be an essential step throughout the DPT program.
Participate in Group Activities
Group activities are a great way to build accountability and learning while also creating a support network when you are studying. Find fun ways to make different events a group activity. A good example can include getting a group together to do weekly study sessions at your favorite coffee shop or library. Working in a group can not only help you build your support network, but it can also help you stay accountable with upcoming deadlines and can even help you learn things from a different perspective if you’re struggling with difficult concepts. It’s always important to remember that as you’re going through your DPT program, you’re not alone and there are others there to help you and in turn there are ways you can motivate and help them as well.
Soak Up As Much Knowledge As You Can By Attending Events
Attending conferences, seminars, and other types of trade shows can be a great way to gain more knowledge in the world of physical therapy. These events are very welcoming of students and typically have very reasonable registration rates for them. You can listen to speakers who share their experiences when assisting patients, gain more knowledge about new clinical research and how it might impact treatments moving forward, and get a first-hand look at some of the new technology advancements that might improve patient care. In addition, you can get to know and interact with plenty of physical therapy companies and employers including Upstream Rehabilitation.
One of the benefits of the physical therapy profession is the very broad range of settings you can work in. These events are a great opportunity to understand and engage with others in different settings.
Events can also be hosted by your physical therapy school where speakers come in to share their experiences or the instructors have additional resources at these events which you can take advantage of throughout the year.
Stay Organized
Organization can help you maintain balance and prevent burnout. Staying organized will help you avoid cramming at the last minute and ensure that your stress levels are in check. Many schools have resources to assist in organization, so don’t hesitate to use the resources if this is something you struggle with.
Be Prepared to Read a Lot
Going through physical therapy school means that you’ll need to learn loads of information on topics you’re not completely versed in. There are plenty of things to read and you’ll often find yourself taking in multiple chapters at a time to stay on top of your coursework and the classroom material. Taking notes, creating flashcards, or making an outline can assist in studying and help you recall information when preparing for exams and clinical rotations.
Take Good Notes
Make sure you take good notes and avoid the many common pitfalls of using shorthand when writing important details. Strive to take good enough notes that you’ll understand what your notes are referring to at a later date. One of the biggest stress inducers you can experience when looking back at your study notes is coming across a section that you don’t understand because you’re not certain what your shorthand was referring to or using one acronym to reference two different things.
Good notes can help you recall important information and help you stay organized in the long run.
Start Networking Early
Physical therapy school will not only give you the tools and knowledge to impact patient lives, but it’ll also help you get a leg up when you’re ready to begin your physical therapy career. Over the course of your physical therapy program, you’ll encounter hundreds of others who are either in the physical therapy profession or are students like yourself. Take advantage of those interactions and network whenever you get an opportunity. Get to know clinic directors, physical therapy recruiters, instructors, and connect with mentors from physical therapy companies you might want to work for.
Fostering strong relationships with different people in your network will help you once you’re ready to begin pursuing physical therapy jobs at the end of your DPT program, so don’t be afraid to start networking early.
Stay Well Rested and Seek Balance
Physical therapy school can feel like a grind at times, which is why it’s always important to make sure that you’re doing the little things well, including prioritizing your time outside of the classroom and staying well-rested. Seek balance in other areas of life to ensure that your sole focus isn’t on school. Take time to enjoy the moments when you can step back from studying for a bit and spend time with friends and family. These moments away can help you reset your mindset and give you a much-needed break before you’re ready to dive back in.
Always Ask for Help When You Need It
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It’s important to remember that your instructors, peers, and mentors are all trying to help you get across the finish line and complete your DPT program. If you’re confused about a certain topic, need additional instruction on how to perform certain treatments, or just want additional advice – speak up. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it and those close to you in the program will be eager to help out.
Pursue a Physical Therapy Career with Upstream Rehabilitation
Upstream Rehabilitation is always on the lookout for qualified healthcare professionals who are passionate about helping our patients get back to doing the things they love most. Physical therapy school is a precursor to becoming a physical therapist, and we’re always on the lookout for PTs who are eager to join a growing company across our nationwide clinics. Upstream careers can help you fulfill your goal of impacting those who need it most after you graduate in one of the fastest-growing occupations nationwide.
Take a look at some of the clinical and non-clinical physical therapy job openings we have, and choose Upstream Rehabilitation as your next physical therapy career destination!
