PT School Essentials
- Puja Patel
- Jun 23, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 4, 2018
Yay! You got into PT school! Amidst the excitement of finally getting in and realizing you’re 3 years away from achieving your dream, you’re probably also freaking out about actually going to PT school. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have any idea on what I actually needed for school. Obviously, I knew I’d need the basics - laptop, textbooks, pens, highlighters, etc. But as for things specifically related to PT, I was at a complete loss.
Since I have a year of PT school under my belt, I’d like to think that I’m somewhat qualified to speak on what you are going to need for the next three years. Just a note, this is just what my classmates and I use. By no means is any of this absolutely necessary, but it will definitely help you for the next 3 years.
So, without further ado, here is a list of PT school Essentials
Technology
iPad Pro
My school provided us with a 10.5 inch iPad Pro and to say that I use it everyday would be an understatement. My iPad Pro has basically replaced my laptop. I do everything from taking notes to taking quizzes. I have all of my textbooks saved on my iPad and the split screen feature allows for me to take notes and read from the book without having to constantly switch between apps. I still bring my laptop to school, just in case my iPad Pro dies, but it still hasn’t died on me. I just charge it every night and it lasts through the day. I thought I wasn’t going to like the iPad Pro just because I enjoyed so many features of my laptop, but once I found out that the iPad Pro does almost everything my computer does, it basically replaced my computer.
Apple Pencil
Along with my iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil is an absolute must. It eliminates the need to carry around a notebook with a pencil and paper because your iPad Pro becomes the paper and the Apple Pencil becomes the pencil. I use it to take all of my notes. The Apple Pencil is amazing, it’s like you’re writing on a piece of paper because it is completely in sync with your movements. The harder you press on the screen with the pencil, the darker/thicker the line shows on the screen.
iPad Keyboard case
I wouldn’t say that this is absolutely necessary but it does make life easier. Most iPad keyboard cases are bluetooth connected to your iPad so that you can use it like a normal keyboard rather than relying on the touch screen keyboard that appears on your iPad. I didn’t get one until second semester because I didn’t really see the point to it, but it did make everything more efficient. Click here for an option.
Supplies
White board/ White board markers
I used my whiteboard religiously. It’s a good way to test yourself when trying to memorize anything, whether it’s endless amounts of origins and insertions or arthrokinematics in kinesiology. I would suggest a small white board that can easily fit in your backpack and fine tip whiteboard markers. I also know of a few people who bought a giant whiteboard and kept it at their apartment so that they could use that to study when they went home. Personally, I used this method a lot because I’m a visual learner so drawing things out really helped me learn and understand how the body works, especially in kinesiology.
Planner
A planner is a necessity! You absolutely need this. Whether it’s an electronic calendar or an old fashioned paper and pencil planner, you absolutely need this. I used a passion planner for the first half of the year and I started the bullet journal planner system the second half of the year. I loved both planner systems. For me, I need to write things down so that I can remember things. I know that a lot of my classmates use google calendars to keep track of assignments. So use whatever works for you, but you definitely need some sort of system to remember all of the assignments you are responsible for.
Apps
Essential Anatomy 5
I used this every single day during Anatomy. This app is a lifesaver and definitely worth the $2 you have to pay.
One Note/Goodnotes
I use OneNote for all of my notes. It keeps everything organized and I can access all of my notes from my iPad and my laptop because OneNote syncs everything in real time. Some of my classmates also use Goodnotes to organize their notes.
Quizlet
This is my favorite study tool. I use every single feature available. I make flashcards and then use them to create tests to test myself on the material. It’s a great tool for quick memorization and for ensuring that you have learned the information for an exam that’s coming up. I made a quizlet for almost everything that we learned first semester.
PT specific supplies
Most schools should provide you with these supplies when you start the program. However, if you aren’t provided with them here is a list of the supplies that you absolutely need.
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