5 Things I Wished I Knew Before Physical Therapy School

Physical therapy school is one of the most challenging, rewarding, and eye-opening journeys I’ve ever experience in my life. From the demanding coursework to the hands-on clinical experience, there’s a lot to learn and a lot to manage. However, I could have avoided jumping in the deep end of the pool. There are a few things I wish I had known, or could have dedicated more effort, that would have helped me navigate the ups and downs a little more smoothly before attending physical therapy school.

Allow me to take you through these five key things as you will experience these issues at some point during physical therapy school if you are planning to attend. I have been in your position and have been through the tough years successfully, but at a cost. This is not an attempt to discourage you, if I had to do this all over again, I would because I love my fulfilling job in helping others. If you’re planning to step into this adventure, or currently enrolled into a program now, hopefully, this insight will give you a sense of preparedness.

1. The Importance of Mental Health Education

Mental self-care is crucial for physical therapy students to succeed in their demanding program, as it directly impacts both academic performance and overall well-being. The program involves rigorous coursework, clinical rotations, and a high level of emotional stress. Prioritizing mental health is a must. You are more susceptible to burnout, anxiety, and depression, which can hinder your ability to retain information, develop clinical skills, and maintain healthy relationships with others. This was my biggest flaw during school. I knew my mental state was important, but I failed to make that my priority.

Practicing mental self-care helps you manage stress and stay focused on your goals. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and regular physical activity can promote emotional regulation and improve cognitive function, allowing you to stay sharp. Additionally, balancing study time with personal activities, hobbies, and social connections helps maintain a sense of identity outside of the academic environment, reducing feelings of isolation and enhancing motivation. I used to greatly reduce or sacrifice social activities because I felt my studying was never enough. In most cases, you may feel that way and it could be true, but you know what, it is okay to not know everything. Physical therapy involves so much information. Study to improve your confidence to pass exams and don’t aim to be perfect. The goal is to complete the program, not necessarily to earn a 4.0 GPA. Learn to balance your studying, take breaks, and maintain a healthy balance with socializing with your loved ones.

2. Mastering Time Management

Time management was, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges you will face in physical therapy school. The sheer volume of content and the demands of clinical placements meant that finding balance was often a struggle. Every day, it felt like there were a million things to do, and no matter how hard I tried, it never seemed like enough time to do everything well.

Looking back, I now realize that it’s not just about working harder or spending more hours studying. It’s about being intentional with how you spend your time. I wish I had a stronger grasp of time management techniques before diving into this intense program. Developing a study schedule that accounted for personal time, self-care, and sleep would’ve alleviated a lot of unnecessary stress.

One of the key lessons I learned was prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and importance. I didn’t always need to study for every exam or prepare for every clinical rotation with the same level of intensity. Instead, understanding where to allocate my focus allowed me to be more efficient and less overwhelmed. For example, if you know your weakness is in neuroanatomy, but confident with ortho and special testing, then come up schedule to study plan to begin with nuero as your first topic (Spend a larger amount of time on the first topic). Take multiple rest breaks, then mix it up with ortho and special testing. Allocate a more time where you need to improve in the beginning of your study plan, then move into another topic for a change. A larger amount of studying periods should involve a mix of different interactive ways to learn and breaks to retain information more efficiently.

Being proactive with scheduling was critical. Mapping out my semester with key deadlines, exams, and clinical hours early on made it easier to see where I had to shift focus. This can also allow you to plan ahead for family time, personal obligations, and some much-needed relaxation.

3. Efficient and Effective Study Techniques

By the time I started physical therapy school, I thought I had a pretty solid study routine in place. After all, I’d made it through undergrad with decent grades, and I had worked hard to develop my academic skills. But PT school was a whole different beast. The volume of material covered, combined with the depth and complexity of the concepts, meant that my usual study strategies weren’t cutting it.

If I could go back, I would focus more on developing specific, evidence-based study techniques that work best for the unique demands of physical therapy school. Here are a few strategies that helped me and could save you a lot of time:

1. Active Recall: Active recall is essential for effective studying in PT school. Simply rereading notes wasn’t enough for retention, so I integrated active recall by testing myself in various ways—like quizzing myself, making flashcards, visualizing concepts, teaching peers, and creating mind maps. For instance, when studying muscles, I’d write down a muscle’s name and recall details like its origin, insertion, and function from memory. If I struggled, I’d visualize the muscle contracting to help with recall. This method forces different brain areas to work harder, which improves long-term memory retention.
2. Chunking: Chunking is a great study technique because it helps break down complex, overwhelming information into smaller, more manageable pieces. This method leverages how our brains naturally organize information. When we group related concepts or facts together, it reduces cognitive load and makes it easier to process, understand, and retain information. Chunking muscle groups is a great example. 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.
3. Space Repetition: Spaced repetition is a study technique I found helpful in PT school for long-term retention. Instead of cramming, you review material at increasing intervals. Using tools like Anki, Quizlet, or Brainscape, you can create flashcards for various topics, and the app adjusts the review frequency based on your progress. This method helps combat the forgetting curve by reinforcing memory over time, making it easier to recall information during exams or clinical rotations.
4. Teach What You’ve Learned (The Feynman Technique): Teaching others can help solidify your knowledge, and the Feynman Technique is a great way to do this. It involves explaining a concept as if you’re teaching a 10-year-old, which forces you to simplify and understand it more deeply. For example, after learning about the screw home mechanism of the knee, you could explain them to a study group or even to yourself. This method helps identify gaps in your understanding and boosts confidence when explaining concepts during exams or clinical placements. Not only will you benefit by explaining to others, but you may find new ways to learn material while studying with your peers.
5. Create Visual Aids and Diagrams: Creating diagrams and visual aids was crucial for me in PT school, especially when memorizing anatomical structures. Drawing muscles, joints, and nerves, and even coloring them helped me understand and retain the information better than just reading or highlighting. You don’t need to be an artist—simple diagrams or online resources work too. The key is actively engaging with the material by drawing and labeling, which helps visualize how concepts are connected.

If I had used these techniques from the start, I would’ve been far more efficient in my studying. Time is precious in PT school, and learning how to study smart, rather than hard, is the key to balancing everything.

4. Understanding the True Cost of Tuition

Selecting a more affordable physical therapy school can have significant financial benefits, given the high costs associated with PT education. In my case, I selected a private school because I have participated in volunteer work and developed a connection with the school. My mistake is that I did not consider other cheaper schools. If I had known the full extent of the costs involved and impact in my future, I would have tried harder to attend a more cost-efficient school. Consider the following key reasons when selecting your program.

1. Lower Student Debt: PT programs can be expensive, and many of you will rely on loans to cover tuition and living expenses. By choosing a cheaper school, you reduce the amount of debt you need to take on, which can make it easier to manage your finances after graduation. Monthly payments for student loans is a heavy bill. Less debt means less pressure to earn a high salary immediately after completing your program.
2. Quicker Financial Freedom: The less you owe, the quicker you can become financially independent. With lower student loan payments, you have more flexibility to save for your future, invest, or make other financial decisions without being burdened by high debt.
3. Affordability of Living Expenses: A less expensive school may also be located in an area with lower living costs. Tuition might be more affordable, but housing, groceries, and transportation expenses also play a role in the overall financial picture. A school in a more affordable location can significantly lower your overall expenses during your time in the program. If you currently live with family, consider commuting to a nearby state school if possible or consider having roommates if you plan to move out.
4. Better Work-Life Balance: With fewer financial worries, you may have a better work-life balance during your studies. You won’t feel the pressure to take on multiple part-time jobs to cover tuition or living expenses, which allows you to focus on your studies and ultimately perform better in your program.
5. Long-Term Financial Stability: A PT degree typically leads to a stable and well-paying career, but it will take time to repay loans and build wealth. By choosing a cheaper school, you’re setting yourself up for long-term financial stability by entering the workforce with less financial burden, enabling you to focus on building savings, investing, and enjoying the benefits of your hard work.

Choosing a more affordable PT school doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing the quality of education, especially if the program is accredited and offers strong clinical experience. Weighing cost against the benefits can help ensure you start your career without being financially overwhelmed.

5. Reviewing Anatomy To Lighten Then Load

Anatomy is the foundation of physical therapy. From understanding joint mechanics to evaluating muscular imbalances and designing rehabilitation protocols, knowing human anatomy inside and out is essential. I wish I had reviewed my anatomy course or even retake anatomy (if you can improve your previous grade) within a year before applying or attending PT school.

I wouldn’t say this step is a must, which is why this is the last key point in the list, but trust me when I say this will really help you stay ahead and less stress when you begin you PT school. All PT programs begin their course with anatomy because that is the foundation of everything you will learn within the next 3-4 years. If you cannot pass this graduate level anatomy class, then you will most likely get dropped from the PT program instantly. You will feel that pressure and anxiety but reviewing a bit of anatomy in advance can lighten the load. Don’t stress about reviewing so much. Again, this step is not a necessity but can be helpful.

Final Thoughts

Physical therapy school is one of the most rewarding academic experiences, but it comes with its share of challenges. I’ve been through this, and I want you to succeed as well. Prepare yourself now to improve your knowledge in mental health balance, time management, study techniques, planning for tuition costs, and maybe review anatomy before applying to PT school. If I had dedicated more time and effort to these things before starting PT school, I would have been more prepared, less stressed, and ultimately more successful in navigating the road ahead.

For those of you starting this journey, remember that it’s okay to make mistakes, ask for help, and adapt your strategies along the way. Keep a growth mindset, stay organized, and remember to take care of your mental and physical health as you work through the challenges that come with pursuing a career in physical therapy. The path is tough, but the rewards are absolutely worth it