5 Study Techniques To Help You Succeed in Physical Therapy School

 

Starting physical therapy (PT) school can feel like stepping into the unknown. The amount of information you need to absorb can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up. But after going through the grind and figuring out what works, I’ve learned some study techniques that made a huge difference in my success. If you’re a current or aspiring PT student, these strategies might just help you find your rhythm and make it through this challenging yet rewarding journey.

1. Active Recall

Active recall is crucial during PT school. I remember I would reread sections of my notes from class very often and it will help, but very little. After a while, I wasn’t retaining anything. Passive reading your notes to study is not effective without integrating a active recall method, which is a technique where you retrieve information from memory in different forms of testing yourself instead of just reading from your notes. Don’t get me wrong, you should review your notes often for accuracy but reading them itself without integrating active recall will slow down your knowledge retention. I would actively quiz myself, handwrite flashcards, visualize my understanding on a white board, explain concepts to peers, and create diagrams for mind mapping, instead of just reviewing notes passively. I’d look at a question or prompt, and then force myself to recall the answer from memory.

For example, if I was studying muscles, I’d write down the name of a muscle and visualize its location to recall origin, insertion, function, and nerve supply without looking at my notes. If I am having trouble, I would imagine the muscle contracting on my body to help me retrieve the answer. It sounds simple, but it forces different areas in your brain to work harder and strengthens your long-term memory.

 

2. Chunking Information

In PT school, there’s a lot of information that comes at you all at once. In fact, memorizing immense information is the hardest part in the program, not the concepts itself. I found that chunking information into smaller, manageable bits made it less daunting. Instead of trying to memorize the entirety of the musculoskeletal system in one go, I’d break it down into sections. For example, I would focus on learning the shoulder muscles one day, then move into the arm and forearm muscles the next. Muscles can complement each other by having similar or the same structures, whether its shares a common innervation, action, origin or insertion. Not only will this allow you to recall information as a group, it will is also make it easier to retain the information without feeling completely overwhelmed.

Chunking is not just for anatomy—it applies to anything you’re learning. Break your study material into smaller, meaningful chunks that you can review consistently. Whether it’s concepts in biomechanics, physiology, pharmacology or assessment techniques, the key is to tackle it piece by piece and gradually put it all together.

 

3. Spaced Repetition: Don’t Cram, Review

Spaced repetition is a study technique I discovered early during PT school, and it really helped me retain information for the long haul. The idea is simple: Instead of cramming all your studying into one session, you review material at increasing intervals. This is why you should not procrastinate for your studies.

You can use a spaced repetition tool like Anki, Quizlet, or Brainscape, where you can make custom flashcards for anatomy, pathologies, and treatment techniques. They’ll automatically adjust the review frequency based on your progress. These apps/websites allows you to create digital flashcards and schedules reviews based on how well you know the material. Spaced repetition helps prevent the forgetting curve, which is basically how quickly you forget information after you learn it. By reviewing concepts multiple times over a period of days or weeks, you’ll reinforce your memory and be more likely to recall the information during exams or clinical rotations.”

 

4. Teach What You’ve Learned (The Feynman Technique)

One thing that can really help you cement your knowledge is teaching others. When you can explain something in simple terms to someone else, you know you’ve truly mastered it. The Feynman Technique is a strategy where you take a concept you’ve learned and break it down as if you were teaching a 10-year-old. This forces you to simplify the information and understand it at a deeper level.

For instance, after learning about the different types of joint movements, You would explain them to a study group or even to yourself. Trying to explain complicated topics in layman’s terms can make you realize where you still have gaps in your understanding. This method not only reinforces your knowledge but also helps you feel more confident when you’re asked about concepts during practical exams or clinical placements (which you will frequently be asked to explain your reasoning for your interventions)

 

5. Create Visual Aids and Diagrams

As someone who learns best by seeing things in action, creating diagrams and visual aids was a huge help. When I first started PT school, I was overwhelmed by all the anatomical structures I had to memorize, but once I started drawing them out, it all clicked. I would sketch out muscles, joints, and nerves, labeling them as I went along. I found that drawing something by hand and adding color helped me internalize the information better than simply reading or highlighting.

You don’t have to be an artist—just make simple diagrams or use online resources that offer high-quality illustrations. The key is to actively engage with the material by drawing and labeling, which can make it easier to visualize how things connect in real life. Creating flowcharts or diagrams for concepts like the biomechanics of movement or the pathophysiology of certain conditions can be invaluable for mastering complex topics.

This final step of visual aids and coloring inspired me to create an anatomy coloring book to assist students or anyone who wants to learn about the human body in a fun way. Anatomy Coloring Book: 100 illustrations with Labels features detailed illustrations of anatomical structures, covering major systems and designed for students and anyone who is interested in the human body.  It offers a fun and educational way to learn anatomy, with blank labels for self-quizzing and high-quality paper to allow you to fill in the structure with vibrant colors. Available on amazon!

 

Final Thoughts

Physical therapy school is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a combination of lectures, hands-on learning, and clinical practice. It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in information at times, but by applying these study techniques, you can approach your coursework more strategically. Active recall, spaced repetition, chunking, teaching others, and visual learning all helped me get through PT school with less stress and more confidence.

Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to studying, but if you experiment with these techniques and find what works best for you, you’ll set yourself up for success. So, stay consistent, be patient with yourself, and keep pushing forward. You’ve got this!