The Student's Demands
It has become apparent to me how particular PA students can be about their academic experience, and I am no exception. Our increased expectations for the academic experience may have something to do with our limited amount of time in the program and the immense amount of material we need to cram in that time. Can you blame us for being ruffled when we have so much to learn?
Students know that there are no PowerPoint presentations, objectives, or one-hour lectures that will cover everything one needs to know in the field of medicine. However, within the confines of a classroom, we are in a safe environment and specific direction is much appreciated. When you consider the two worlds that collide within that classroom-the professors with ample experience and students with very little-it is easy to see how the situation can become frustrating. As students, we are learning to be like our professors, but to get to that point we need a foundation. That is why it is much more favorable if we are taught specific guidelines rather than being told, "This is what worked for me." What works for one professor may have not worked for another, and may not work for a student. That is why consistent guidelines offer much solace, for right now, at least.
All too often, it feels like the students are trying to make sense of which professor is right and who is wrong. We get it that there is no 100% answer all the time and we have to make a "clinical" decision more often than not. But when studying for an exam, we love it when profs tell us how many questions will focus on this and that or to use specific material when studying. Some call it "economical studying," also known as efficiency. Again, we understand that life is not "textbook," but I find no problem with tests being so.
Maybe we take huge steps as PA students when we stop being particular and start being flexible. Grades tend to be the ball-and-chain while in school. Maybe we come to a point where forget they are even there?