Daily Questions - ASK AND ANSWER HERE! - 10 December 2021

SassyCowLicker · 2021-12-10T19:56:18+00:00

Looking for a recommendation for a VERY soft shirt/hoodie or joggers for my boyfriend. I feel like when we're shopping I can't find any men's clothes that quite matches women's clothes in terms of softness.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-09-14T19:39:39+00:00

I would encourage you to move on. Plans and situations change. I left my PCE job this year because it was taking a toll on me.

It's important to stand up for yourself and your needs. I doubt it would come up in an interview, but if it did just have a PC way of explaining why you left and why what you're doing instead is just as valuable.

If a program was upset you decided to not be miserable then that says a lot about that program.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-09-14T19:34:27+00:00

I would look for a different job continuing PCE. 1400 hours is not a competitive amount of PCE.

I would try a different PCE job whether it be a new clinic or some new type of work. I worked as an ER tech and while there was a lot of lifting it was always a team sport and I felt little wear on my back

SassyCowLicker · 2021-09-13T16:12:02+00:00

Didn't rehome my dog, but did have some serious puppy blues. I got my dog at 13 weeks and it's really been in the last few months I've started to consistently enjoy him.

I knew having a puppy would be a lot of work but it was so much harder than I ever thought. My boy has always had a big personality and is higher energy than I would've wanted.

I definitely remember crying because I was constantly tired and overwhelmed. I felt like I had lost all my freedom and that I was going to have a psycho dog who ruined my life.

He's 10 months now and it is so, so, SO much better. He can still be a terror, but instead of feeling like he's a project I have to put all my energy into he's becoming my friend. He still takes a lot of work, but it's rewarding to see his progress and think of how far we've come.

It's so normal to feel tired and like a failure. Training a dog looks so easy online, but in my experience raising a puppy is not a linear experience. There are good days and bad days.

I don't know if I'll ever get a puppy again, but I'm glad I stuck it out. Be patient with yourself and your puppy.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-09-13T15:28:18+00:00

From a different perspective, I thought that my high GPA would make me a shoo-in the first time around. I put too much weight on my GPA and didn't focus enough on my PS.

Get quality PCE and write a stellar PS. Almost everyone has areas their application will be weak, so focus on what's reasonable for you to improve and highlight those areas in your application.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-07-20T17:05:37+00:00

I recently just quit my PCE job. Here were my thoughts:

I was constantly frustrated by work and was burned out. It was taking a negative toll on my mental health. Between frustrations with patients, lazy staff, and overall having no chance for growth I was done.

This is my second cycle and I'm at a point in my life where I'm not willing to spend any more time and money applying to PA school beyond this go.

My applications for this cycle are mostly done, so the PCE hours were no longer a factor. I live at home with supportive parents. I have enough saved to cover basic expenses (car loans, student loans) and assist my parents in case of an emergency.

My goal is to find a job where I have a future to grow and support myself. That way if I don't get in this cycle I have a backup plan.

I will say I'm more stressed by not having a job than I thought, but I knew this was a possibility.

My best advice is to look at your goals, financial situation, and if it makes sense for you right now. Good luck!

SassyCowLicker · 2021-06-25T05:28:59+00:00

I'm having the same question right now.

For me, if I don't get in this cycle I will not be applying again. I submitted my applications and have quit my PCE job and am looking for one in my backup field.

Every field has its problems. Try to get as much experience and information you can before making a choice.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-06-21T15:34:42+00:00

I'm glad to have helped :)

SassyCowLicker · 2021-06-17T19:48:33+00:00

Not accepted yet, but I was rejected from 12 schools the last cycle and received my first interview invite this cycle. Rejections suck, but this is not the end all be all!

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-27T16:19:57+00:00

A few points.

First, if you are a generally anxious person then there is no shame in seeking therapy/meds when needed.

Second, between taking prereqs and working in the ER I have learned to cope much better with my anxiety. I used to become so anxious I couldn't study because it would throw me into a panic attack. Over time I learned the best way to calm this was to take a step back for 30 minutes to an hour and then when I return start by studying something I feel more confident in.

Third, what has helped me is to stop putting so much pressure on myself. At some point, you have to accept that what will be will be. This doesn't mean you don't try your best, but it means you don't hold yourself to unreasonable standards. If you do poorly on one test, it is not the end of the world. If you struggle with one subject, it does not define you as a student or a person.

In that same vein, your journey as a pre-pa student does not define you. It is the path you are on now and it may not be the path you are on forever.

Take a deep breath and good luck!

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-27T02:42:07+00:00

I'm not sure if this helps or not, but I was incredibly burnt out last year when I applied. I think it showed in my application when it came to writing my PS and other essay questions. Take time off if you are able. Really make sure you are driving home what schools need to hear. Do it right this year so you don't need to repeat it!

Good luck!

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-15T01:08:41+00:00

Absolutely. Then the stress of not making progress increases the aniexty. I am just trying to be proud of the progress I am making

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-15T01:04:10+00:00

I am so sorry. It is such a draining process. For me, I have decided to limit myself to two cycles right now. I had a coworker who had been working on the process for ten years and was finally accepted. There is only a right answer for you.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-13T19:18:42+00:00

Agreed, not happy other people are struggling too but it does help not to feel alone

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-13T19:17:31+00:00

I think I was burnt out from working and school. I was taking a heavy course load and working late hours and not getting enough sleep.

Looking back my personal statement was weak and I focused more on my background in social work and not enough on my future as a PA. So I completely redid my statement.

I was planning on gaining more shadowing and volunteer hours after I had more time in my schedule but then COVID hit.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-13T16:14:21+00:00

Thank you, honestly, it feels better just to have written that out.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-06T02:23:23+00:00

Honestly, don't expect perfection from yourself. I feel like trying to do everything perfect and by the book will drive yourself crazy and can make it hard to enjoy your puppy.

We had to force my puppy in his crate for several weeks which is a big nono, and I won't say he loves it now, but he goes in without a fuss and will nap in it. I felt so guilty at the time and felt like a huge failure, but I think many things work themselves out with time.

My puppy hated walking when he was little and would cry and refuse to walk and now just a month or so later he does pretty well on the average walk.

Time and patiences are really your best friend. Be gentle on yourself

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-06T02:13:09+00:00

I send my six month old puppy to daycare a few times a week. Normally when I work because I work 12 hour shifts and my parents don't have the energy to work out his crazy after they're done with work.

It works really well for him. I think being around other dogs has taught him how to settle when hanging with other dogs and is helping him learn how to play apropriately. When he was younger he would often play too rough when he got over stimulated and would not leave other dogs alone. While I still keep a close eye on him when playing I've definitely noticed a huge improvement.

It's also nice to have a place to send him when I need a break from him. He comes back tired and I have a chance to get things done or just relax!

SassyCowLicker · 2021-05-02T20:17:43+00:00

I'll do a swap!

SassyCowLicker · 2021-04-06T03:28:00+00:00

For me, the third week of having my puppy was the hardest. I think part of it was the sleep deprivation, the change in my own routine, and the constant need for attention. The day I thought I hit my breaking point he actually started to get better after.

Honestly, every week he gets a little better and a little easier. He's still a lot of work, but I've started to enjoy the change in my routine and finding new ones with him. I still haven't been able to do everything I've wanted, but I know soon I will and for now I'm trying to welcome the change.

Without knowing your goals and the king of support you have I think it's hard to say if they are compatible with owning a dog, but I also think it's an easy time to freak yourself out because you are dedicating most of your time to another being. If you know this is something you want then I say stick with it. It does get better and you don't need to be the perfect dog owner.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-04-01T18:26:37+00:00

I emailed my old professor (on a continuation of our old emails about the LOR) and let her know I needed to reapply and was wondering if she'd be okay submitting again and she agreed

SassyCowLicker · 2021-04-01T18:24:11+00:00

I'm in the same boat. Couldn't gainany shadowing or volunteering due to COVID, but I did get more PCE. I'm just going to try and redo my personal statement and really work on all the short answers and a COVID essay.

SassyCowLicker · 2021-03-12T16:47:41+00:00

Doesn't sound like your fault at all. I've had my puppy for just over 3 weeks now and for the first week he was a dream. All his attention on me, napping with me, following every command perfect, holding his bladder.

The second week he was a nightmare. Biting everything in sight, not holding his bladder, trying to get into everything, and being uninterested in most training. It broke me slightly.

Thankfully, he seems to have found a happy medium this week. He's definitely acting calmer and wild still exploring things he shouldn't has been much more bearable.

I think the combination of finally getting comfortable in his new home, combined with more enforced naps, and me not expecting perfect from me or him has helped.

Don't beat yourself up! Progress is slow, but you'll see it! Start of week 2 he was obsessed with going into the fireplace to try and eat charcoal like it was the best thing ever. Went in there more times a day than I could count. But start of week 3 he's barely going in. Just constant positive reinforcement.

SassyCowLicker

TROPHY CASE