Buddy Letters
To the
Class of 2016
Hello Campbell PA Class of 2016,
Doesn’t it feel good to see your new identity in print?
CONGRATULATIONS!
Since I have just finished my first two semesters let me share some insight.
Class:
The first semester I used onenote to take notes. Now, I still use onenote with the transferred ppt then I add a copied version of
the ppt outline view and the lecture objectives to the note section. I find this easier to take notes and fill out the objectives at the
same time. For Anatomy class I printed out each lecture and wrote notes on them. Dr. Oleg gives a quiz each day before lecture
of which I bombed a few and still did well in the class. You will LOVE anatomy lab! Using the saw was one of my favorite
parts (ok that sounded a little creepy, pls disregard). I studied 3-4 hours a night usually. I did not do late nights very often. I
usually got to bed around 930 pm but got up around 5 am because it’s the quietest time to study at my house.
Books:
There is an online resource of books like CMDT from Campbell for free and lots of other resources.
WAIT until the first week of school to get your books. You never know what might be available or contact the 2nd years for
some books that might be for sale like the medical terminology book.
Family:
“Do you have to study again?” I heard this several times from my 10 yr old. She would want to snuggle in my lap when I
would try to get work done so I learned if I really had to study I would go to a local library or stay at school. My daughters do
not seem overly scarred or maladjusted at THIS point.
During the week I was very busy. However, lots of weekends I would take off Saturdays to have time for relaxing with friends
and family.
Commute:
I commute from Cary about 40-50 minutes one way. There have been times I would have loved those two hours for studying,
however, decompression time after a long day in class kept me mentally healthy.
Sincerely,
Cindy Amster
Brief Bio: Married, 2 daughters, 13 and 10 yrs old, Respiratory Therapist
Dear FUTURE PA’s,
It you haven’t already done so, give yourself a pat on the back because job well done! You’ve accomplished a great
thing. The hardest part is behind you (getting into PA school) and now the fun begins. Remember the reason you are here,
to become providers, to become healers. Remember the drive and determination that has brought you this far…..don’t ever
forget that drive, don’t ever lose sight of your goal!
Times will get tough, but stick together! Learn and share with your classmates. REMEMBER IT’S NOT A
COMPETITION!!!! You will be around the other 43 people in your class 5, 6, sometimes 7 days a week! You will make some
amazing friends along the way, and learn so much from each other in the process! IF YOU START WITH 44, MAKE IT GOAL TO
GRADUATE 44!!! We shared everything, make it a point to contribute ANY WAY you can! You have strengths to contribute,
you may not know it, but trust me you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t!
Develop your own study habits. Everyone studies different and whether it’s in a group or on your own you will find
out which way works best for you. Keep an open mind and try new strategies, and at first it will seem impossible, but give it a
few weeks and things will slowly start falling into place! Just remember to BREATHE!
Lastly, the best piece of advice that was given to me was to tie up any loose ends now, the day after class starts is one
day too late! Don’t worry about school right now (except for Med Terminology) but after that, put it away and enjoy your
summer. REALLY, relax and spend as much time as you can with your family and friends. I’m not saying you won’t see them,
but your life will be busy once August rolls around, and free time is few and far between. You will push yourself like you’ve
never done before and you WILL succeed!
A few books that have really helped:
Pance review books, both Van Rhee and O’Connell & Zarbock
Cecils
CMDT
Learning Radiology
Ok, this is the last thing, you’ve had the privilege to enter into an AMAZING institution with even more amazing
instructors and faculty. Remember they WANT to see you succeed and are willing to help in any way they can! Never forget
how fortunate you really are! Congratulations again, and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!
Andy Bibey
Congrats future PAs,
A few words of wisdom as you begin your journey next year.
1. Enjoy your summer and have fun! PA school is intense. You will feel there is barely enough time to properly study for exams,
let alone enjoy a social life! Spend quality time with family and friends, as you may not have this opportunity again until
Christmas.
2. Studying this summer is totally unnecessary. You will be consumed by it starting in August! If you are like me, however, and
feel obligated- start reading “Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s” by Dale Dubin, MD. It will be required reading for the cardiology
unit and is one of the more difficult topics to wrap your head around.
3. Find a study strategy that works best for YOU. For me, that was spending my time focusing less on the assigned readings
and more on high yield topics. High yield simply refers to information that is likely to show up again on the PANCE exam.
4. Purchase these PANCE review books:
LANGE Q&A Physician Assistant Examination
Physician Assistant Review, Fourth Edition by Patrick C. Auth; Morris D. Kerstein (this comes with an online question bank
that is SUPER helpful)
A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire
Babcock O’Connell (also includes online question bank)
Also consider buying "2014 First Aid for the USMLE Step 1”
This book was probably my favorite study resource. The format is easy to read and it comes in full color. There are several
topics covered (such as histology) that we do not touch on. That being said, it's easy to skip over these sections. It also
emphasized the most important info (high yield facts!) and provides great mnemonics.
5. Don't stress about reading every PowerPoint slide. I invested too much energy 1st semester trying to learn everything in the
PowerPoints and assigned readings. 2nd semester I focused more on reading PANCE review books and doing as many
PANCE MCQ as possible. This method proved to be much more successful.
6. Pay attention during lecture. This will save a lot of study time later.
7. Be on time everyday! This is huge and the faculty takes tardiness seriously. You will not regret this!
8. Be flexible! Lecturers often have to reschedule which means that the schedule of events is constantly changing. Prepare to
stay until 5 everyday and don't be upset when things change; this is not ideal just inevitable. It will benefit you tremendously to
expect this sort of thing.
9. Do your best to maintain a positive attitude. We all struggle with this one from time-to-time, especially considering the high
stress we are under. Even when you've reached your breaking point, take a minute to breath and reassure yourself that you
will get through this. PA school is built to be inherently stressful, which makes it difficult for every PA student at some point
along this journey. That being said, the benefits of such a program are well worth it! You will have one of the best careers in the
world and you won't regret one second of it!
10. Relax. Find a few minutes everyday to do something you genuinely enjoy! It will be difficult, but it's critical for maintaining
your sanity! For me it was playing with my dog. For you, it may be watching a few minutes of low quality reality TV or reading a
few pages of your favorite book. Do it for yourself!
You guys are going to do great! I have no doubt that each one of you will find success in the PA profession!
I am always here if you need advice or if you just need somebody to vent to! Please don't hesitate to email me
at [email protected]
Take care and enjoy your last summer :)
Lauren E Bolger PAS-1
[email protected]
910-620-9893
Welcome to the Campbell Family!
You’ve made a really great decision and you’ll soon realize that for yourselves!  You’ll receive some incredibly
useful advice in these buddy letters – read them! I’m not one to reinvent the wheel, so I’m just going to add a few
things:
Alexa’s Advice for Making the Most of Your Didactic Year
-
Get involved! Challenge yourself. Chair committees. Run for office. Run for president! Go to interprofessional
case studies and social events!
Work together. One word: SKYDRIVE. It’s the only way you’ll survive the next 12 months.
Truly make friends. Go out on the weekends, join others for lunch, and study around other people!
Try to always keep a positive attitude, no matter how sleep deprived and stressed out you are.
Go easy on your class president. But seriously.
Be friendly and respectful to the faculty. Again, no matter how stressed out you are.
Get help when you need it. A tutor. An antidepressant. I mean it! Didactic year is tough.
Last but not least…do your best to maintain BALANCE in your life. Spend time with your loved ones, take
weekend trips, give your pets time and attention…it sounds impossible but it can be done, and YOU can do it!
You’ll constantly surprise yourself with how much information you can absorb and how many obligations you
can balance at one time!
This past year of PA school has been a ton of fun. Honestly, more fun than undergrad. We work hard and play hard,
and I know that you all will too! Make the most of this opportunity, and you’ll be glad you chose Campbell!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you have! Especially if you are considering running for office
or getting involved in leadership and service – I can answer your questions or hook you up with the appropriate
class officer. I look forward to meeting each of you soon!
Alexa Carda
Congratulations on your acceptance to Campbell’s PA Program! You already have an idea of how stressful and overwhelming the next
few years will be, but my first piece of advice is to relax. You will be GREAT, and chances are PA school will be a lot more fun than
you’re expecting! Lots of random advice, so here goes:
• Take as much time as you can this summer to rest and enjoy the free time you have left. I worked longer than I had originally
planned and wished I had taken more than a few weeks off. Travel, visit friends and family, SLEEP, read books for pleasure,
whatever makes you happy!
• Don’t try to study ahead of time before you start. Besides whatever assignment Campbell will give you (we had a med term book)
the only thing I MIGHT recommend is Dubin’s EKG book. It’s a very easy read (even has lots of pictures) and should get you
familiar with basic terminology and EKGs before your cardiology block. Don’t worry about learning it, you’ll hear it all again
very soon.
• You all earned a seat in the program, and it should be your class mission to graduate with each person that starts in August. Don’t
talk about grades – we are all competitive Type A personalities and that’s part of how we got here, but there is no place for
competition in this program. As long as everyone is passing, everyone will graduate. Your classmates will come from various
backgrounds, so use their experience and knowledge to your advantage!
• You’ll find your own way to study – give it a few weeks and you’ll figure out what works for you. I make comprehensive study
guides from a combination of lecture material and textbook info. Mostly I use textbooks as a reference when I need further
understanding and clarification on a topic – it can be very difficult to keep up with every reading assignment! The little blue boxes
in CMDT are key for Clin Med, and PANCE review books are a lifesaver. We post all study materials on our class SkyDrive
(OneDrive) and even have few classmates that make practice tests before exams! I study by myself while I’m learning material,
and then meet with a study group the night before and early in the morning (6:30-7) before exams. We quiz each other and ask
questions and try to figure out what’s most important information to know.
• Remember that the program wants you here! Campbell will do everything in their power to help you succeed. Use the resources
available to you, and ask for help if you need. The faculty may put on their “scary face” sometimes, but they truly want you to do
well. Use your advisor as your first point of contact, but they are all available if you need.
o One caveat – do not HOUND the faculty. For instance: if you have a problem with an exam question, you likely aren’t
the only one! No one likes getting 44 emails with the exact same complaint. Your class president is the official liaison
between your class and the faculty for any questions, concerns, or issues that arise. Talk to your president before you go
up the “chain of command.”
o Also – don’t complain excessively. We’re all adults in a professional graduate program – sometimes life isn’t fair and
you disagree with something…be flexible, put on a smile, and move on!
• Your classmates are your new family - one thing I love about my class is that we generally all get along. It’s not unusual for us to
plan to go out to dinner and have 20-30 people show up! You may think after spending all day long with your classmates the last
thing you’ll want to do is hang out with them in the evenings or on weekends…many of us have found the opposite is true. No one
quite understands what you’re going through in PA school like your classmates! That being said, don’t take out your stress and
bad moods on each other – it’s easy to become snarky when we’re all having a rough time. Support each other!
• I don’t have children, but I do live apart from my husband and although I see him many weekends, it’s still tough. The best advice
I can give is to focus on spending quality time with your significant other. Plan date nights and specific time where you “set aside”
school. During the week, I focus 100% on school and studying, and then Friday night and Saturday are generally my off days
where I relax with my husband and friends. And make sure they know your schedule. If I have 3 exams in 1 week, Jason knows
that I will probably spend the entire weekend before studying, and he may need some extra patience and understanding in dealing
with me that week!
• Don’t be that person who thinks the rules don’t apply to them… just do what you’re supposed to. Show up on time, participate in
activities, follow the dress code, and be respectful to faculty and guest lecturers.
• Be judicious about raising your hand during lecture. Don’t use class time to show off how much you know about a topic or talk
about previous medical experiences. A few guidelines you can ask yourself before raising your hand:
o Is this a question that can easily be answered by Google or my own research at home, or is the answer on the next slide or
further in the presentation?
o Can I wait to ask the lecturer during our hourly break?
o Will the answer to this question (or my anecdotal story) benefit the entire class?
Most of all – have fun and enjoy the ride. You WILL survive, and you’ll learn more than you ever thought possible. When things get
tough, remember how hard you worked to gain acceptance to PA school and how many people would like to be in your place! Campbell is
a family and everyone looks out for each other – you’ve chosen a great program. Good luck!!
– Christine Ciszek ([email protected])
Class of 2016!!!
Congratulations!! You have put in all the hard work and made soo many sacrifices (including the accepted donation of
copious amounts of tears and hair after dealing with CASPA)…. BUT you HAVE MADE IT!!! EACH of you made it this far and
you are now on your way to starting this new step in your life and career.
The biggest single thing I can now encourage you on….. or really too implore you to work on…. is to be a team in PA school.
You have each been fighting the others trying to get in. Let’s face it… we all sat in the interview days and told ourselves why
we were better qualified for PA school than everyone else (better grades, more clinical experience, better references….
prettier cell phone case, better pen twirling skills, etc). Well you are now all here. You need to put behind the school
competition mindset and start functioning as colleagues. You will spend the next year sitting shoulder to shoulder (borrowing
that same shoulder for tears during some tests…..) Monday through Friday drinking from the fire hydrant of information
flowing your way. You can’t learn it all. You can’t know it all. This means you have to work with others to make it. Your team
is those sitting on your right and left, front and behind you. Share notes. Share experiences. Share insights. YOU ARE NOT
COMPETING AGAINST THEM!!!!! You are colleagues now. If you are good at something…. help those who aren’t so great at it.
Your best chance of success in PA school as an individual……. comes from working together with others.
A couple of small tidbits: This summer, don’t study anything (other than any required things from school obviously). But don’t
try to get ahead. You can’t get ahead of PA school…. and you will have more than enough study once you are here. On that
note, if you can enjoy the summer, DO IT. Take a nice vacay before you come. When you get here the money (and free time)
disappears into a blackhole. You will learn of the 5 min vacay in school…. you will come to appreciate those…. but just know
that’s about how long you will be able to take for vacay. So take one now.
Once you are here, you will find your own way to study and retain material. It is totally different than undergrad or other
master’s program. Just go with the flow the first couple of weeks….. it will take some time to get your own method. That’s ok.
About 2-3 months in and you will suddenly realize that you have it mostly figured it out. ALSO!!!! Remember that comment
about you can’t know everything??? WELL YOU CAN’T!!! That’s ok too. Realize that. Learn to find the key concepts and make
that your foundation…. you will make good clinical based decisions with that basis and will slowly start filling in the smaller
details.
Remember one last important thing. PA school just became your life…… but do not let it rule or overshadow your life. Take
care of YOU as well. Take a day off from studying once a week. Or set specific times not to study. Play sports (intramural
sports is a great way to relieve stress, have fun with classmates, and keep in shape).
The Class of 2015 is super excited for you!! We don’t have all the answers…. but we are here to help and answer questions as
we can!! Best of luck on this hard but exciting journey!!
Jonathan Cuthriell
Danielle’s Top Ten Campbell PA Survival Tips (In no particular order)
1. SHARE
• We have a class onedrive account and we share EVERYTHING: study guides, practice tests, outlines, charts, diagrams, pictures,
videos (ANYTHING that might be helpful)
• Figure out what study tools you are good at and contribute them to your class – the competition really is over
2. A+ Student ≠ AMAZING PA-S
• We were all great students coming into PA school, that’s how we got here but you don’t have to be an A+ student anymore!!! CrAzY I
know but it’s true!
• If you get a B or even a C don’t worry about it, YOU PASSED! Plus you probably have another test to be studying for.
• Don’t burn yourself out trying to make all A++ grades and don’t be bummed if you don’t get them … PA school is hard!
3. BE FLEXIBLE, BE CONSIDERATE
• You are supposed to be here from 8-5pm, M-F even though you will hardly ever be I would just commit to it. The calendar WILL
change so if you are type A like myself … GET OVER IT FAST!
• Try to schedule your appointments in advance on weekends, fall break, winter break, spring break, ANY immovable break. Schedule
them now so you won’t be in a bind later.
• DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS WHEN CLASS IS GOING OVER AND EVERYONE IS READY TO GO (go up after class and ask the
lecturer!)
• DO NOT TELL YOUR UNSOLICITED STORIES IN CLASS (I am sure your clinical experiences were great, but in class is not the
time)
4. ENJOY YOUR SUMMER
• Do not spend your summer trying to study for PA school. I am sure you have a reading assignment, just do that.
• Spend your summer sleeping, seeing family, hanging out with friends, doing fun things that make you happy … You won’t get to do
much of all that while you are in PA school.
5. GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE
• You will be dropped into a lot of really uncomfortable situations where you feel like you aren’t ready. Just embrace the uneasy feeling
and get the best out of your experience.
• You are doing it because the faculty knows that you are ready even when you aren’t so sure. Say a little prayer and rock it!
6. LIVE NEAR SCHOOL 1st YEAR
• I lived in Creekside the first year. This is 2 minutes from the medical campus.
• It is so worth it when you forget your white coat or lunch, woke up late, need to run and print study materials, etc. etc. etc.
7. TRY NEW STUDY METHODS
• Whatever you were doing before might not work
• Each class is different, each lecturer is different, but more importantly EACH TEST IS DIFFERENT (some are more objective based,
some more book based, some more lecture based, some just random).
• You might have a different study method for each class but if something doesn’t work don’t be afraid to get out your comfort zone and
try something new (make charts, use diagrams, write what you know on white boards, quiz yourself, quiz each other, read, role play,
whatever you have to do).
8. CLASSMATES = GOOD TIMES
• Welcome to the middle of nowhere!
• Don’t be bummed out! Keep it fun by organizing things with your classmates (we go shopping, to concerts, dinners, on beach trips,
adventure tours, 5Ks, festivals, state fair, Sunny Skies, GROUPON)
9. KEEP MATERIALS CLOSE
• I keep my nametag and badge in my car and my white coat and equipment in my locker (unless I have taken them home to practice or
to a site). This way you are always prepared!
10.
SAVE MONEY
• You can give loan money back if you don’t use it! Remember this is not free money so save it when you can!
• Buy a coffee maker and a good thermos (it saves tons of money and the coffee shop is not open late, or on weekends)
• Buy business casual staples (like black, navy, gray, tan pants, skirts) you will get the most use out of these items
• Learn to cook! I try to cook larger meals Sunday night that I can eat off of all week
• Always ask if they do a student discount! You are a student again, embrace the benefits!
• Bring your own lunch, we do have access to microwaves!
• Sign up for AMAZON PRIME! Its awesome, free 2-day shipping REALLY comes in handy with your crazy busy schedule! I get
everything off there!
Feel free to contact me: 919-539-5715, [email protected]
Dear Class of 2016,
CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a member of our fabulous Campbell family! I can’t wait to meet you all, but before you begin, here are
a couple of pointers that I either learned over the last year or were passed along to me in last year’s buddy letters.
1- Take it easy this summer! Quit your job as soon as you’re able, travel, read books, lay in the sun, hang out with your
family/friends, exercise, catch up on tv, etc. You’re going to get used to being poor quickly, so why not start a couple months
early, and enjoy yourself!
2- Get organized. Set aside some time this summer to think about all the ways you can make your life easier when you’re in school.
Organize your home, pre-cook & freeze meals for your family (I do this every school break and it’s a HUGE time saver), set up
your study space or office, ect. I found the things outside of school were what stressed me out the most, like not having time to
keep my house clean, or cook dinner every night.
3- Prepare your friends and family for the stressors that may affect you during school and let them know you need to devote a ton
of your time to school for the next few years.
4- Prepare yourself. I expected for PA school to completely take up my entire life…to study every night, to be stressed all the time,
and not have time to do anything outside of school. I was pleasantly surprised, but I am SO glad that I expected the worst. Plan
on devoting most of your time to school, and then slowly you’ll figure out how to balance everything else. Which leads to number
5…
5- Do not feel bad about saying NO! This was a piece of advice I think I heard first from last year’s buddy letters and it really helped
me in the beginning. I turned down a lot of invitations and plans (with family, friends, school extracurriculars, weddings, etc.)
because I just wasn’t sure how much time I’d need to devote to school. I was able to last minute go back and say yes to many of
these, but it kept me not having to stress in case I did need that time to study.
6- Take care of yourself! The faculty does such a good job with trying to allow our schedule to be such that we have time for this.
Get a good night’s sleep every night, especially right before a test. You’ll be able to think better during the day, and you’ll feel so
much better than if you stayed up all night cramming. The weeks I exercised the most were the weeks we had the most tests,
just because I needed that break to clear my head and energize. Whatever it is that de-stresses you, treat yourself regularly!
7- Get comfortable being uncomfortable. There are many things in school I’ve accomplished already that initially I thought were
impossible for me to overcome. It’s all doable, and it’s normal to consistently feel uncomfortable . Lean on your classmates for
help in areas where you need help, practice what you can practice (History & Physical exams, OSCEs, ect), and work on being
confident, even if you don’t really feel that way .
8- Manage your time well. Our class uses quizlet to make flashcards for tests and Campbell records your lectures with Tegrity. I
have a 1 hr commute to school so I have both of these apps on my phone and it’s a great use of drive time. I talked through my
checklists (1st semester History and Physical) in the car as well. Use your time wisely, and you’ll have a lot more of it.
9- Stay motivated. Remember what you were doing for work before PA school. When you get frustrated in school, would you
rather be where you were, or in the job you’re moving towards?
10- Stay humble and be thankful. You will soon find that your class is full of experience in a realm of different areas. Use each
other’s knowledge and share your notes! Always be mindful that we struggle in different areas, so encourage other class
members if they’re having a bad day. At some point, you’ll be on the receiving end, and thankful for your class family.
That’s all for now. I didn’t give a lot of study, school, or textbook advice, because honestly a lot of that will fall in to place. Be patient,
take one day at a time, and enjoy every minute of the awesome experience of being a Campbell PA student!
I listed my email below, and am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Best wishes,
Sarah Fulton
[email protected]
Future PA,
Relax, the hard part is over! You’ve been accepted into PA school, and now you’re wondering what’s
next... How hard will this be? Are the rumors of late nights and no sleep true? Am I ready? Relax, I
promise you are. Every one of you will have a different experience and as you read our buddy letters keep
that in mind, we all have different backgrounds, educational experiences, and definitions of hard; what
one person may view as difficult may be a walk in the park for somebody else, but the continuous theme
of all our experiences is that we started with 44 students, and still have the same number. If you’re
reading this Campbell believes in you and knows you’re ready for this, so again...relax. The content of our
education is vast, but manageable. There’s adequate time in your life to sleep, exercise, and enjoy the
company of friends, family, and classmates if you choose to manage it wisely. My advice is to find what
works for you and don’t worry about what anybody else is doing. Don’t let their stress become yours, keep
the big picture in mind and you’ll find the small insignificant details and problems will fade. This education
may be the most challenging event in some of your lives but you have the choice to experience it however
you want; you can choose to let it be stressful and arduous or you can embrace the grind and be grateful
for the wonderful opportunity to pursue your dream. It won’t always be easy to manage everything but
stay positive, not only will you feel better but it will be helpful to the ones around you. Lastly, if all else fails
and you feel the weight on your shoulders as you’re stuck in that room, take a mini vacation to the OMM
lab for a quick cat nap. Kick your feet up, put on some music and give yourself 20 minutes of peace. You
deserve it.
Congratulations and Good Luck!
Jeff Hedges
[email protected]
Hey there future PA & welcome to Campbell!!
After so much studying, getting patient experience, and writing tedious applications, you’ve made it! You will love Campbell,
there is no doubt. Trust me, I was a little worried about the small town, middle of nowhere feel, etc. but honestly it is one of
the best decisions I’ve ever made. PA school is actually more FUN than I ever expected. Yes, you may have to study your butt
off but you will actually WANT to learn this material. Here are some tips for you:
1. I would highly recommend living close to campus. I live 5 minutes from the school (Kivett Rd. Townhomes) and
absolutely LOVE being able to sleep more, go home for lunch, be close to the school & Campbell events, etc. etc.
2. DO NOT go crazy on Amazon and buy all the books- pretty much every class has a PowerPoint. You will absolutely
need Dubin’s EKG book (read that from cover to cover), CMDT (there’s some charts in there that are important), and
the PANCE review books (those are the best). I live with 2 other PA students so we shared books- I would highly
recommend this if you want to buy the hard copies.
3. Teamwork is SOOOO important, after all that is what this profession is all about. It’s not about who knows the most
but what is best for the patient. Our class shares notes, study guides, practice tests, etc. so hopefully yours will do
the same. Making sure you know the material is more important than making an A. The competition is over at this
point!
4. Let’s talk Lillington. Shopping… there’s not too much of it. I go to Smithfield outlets (25 minutes away) and Crabtree
Valley Mall when I need some retail therapy. Sunny Sky’s ice cream is amazing & oh so cheap… you MUST go there.
County Seat has trivia every week which is always a fun time, lots of med students go to this as well!
5. There is fun ahead! When I entered school, I figured I would be studying nonstop and having no life. We do LOTS of
fun things together as a class, including mixers, trips to the fair, group dinners, going to Boston for the AAPA
conference, & working on an awesome music video. You can be as involved as you want to be and it truly makes
everything more fun when you’re involved in activities other than studying.
6. Try not to stress out. Yes it will be hard and overwhelming at times (especially 1st semester) but don’t forget to stay
healthy, work out, and SLEEP!
I am here if you have ANY questions at all and am available for advice. A little about me- I’m 25, from Charlotte, and in a
long-distance relationship (it can be done!). I also have a blog called Medicine & Manicures about my life in PA school for
anyone interested in looking at some photos & learning more about what it’s like! Once again, congrats & so glad you’re
joining the Campbell family!!!
Kristina Hendley, PAS-1
[email protected]
www.medicineandmanicures.blogspot.com
Dear Incoming Students,
I first want to tell you congratulations on making it into the program. You should be extremely proud that you have been
accepted and excited about your future. Every person who is chosen deserves to be here.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much,
much more will be asked.” – Luke 12.48 (and a favorite of Mrs. Johnson)
1st This IS hard: I won’t lie this program is not for the weak. It takes a lot of hard work and you WILL have moments when you
don’t think that you can go on. It’s o.k. You just pick yourself up and just keep at it. I was told by a PA before I started that in a
month or two I would have a moment when I wonder why you decided to do this and have a mental break down. That
moment happened for me and many/most of my classmates. Remember what brought you to this place and why you want to
do this; wipe away the tears, brush yourself off and get back into the fight.
“It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take
and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” ― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa
2nd Learn to let go: If you have moments of failure, let go and move past it.
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” –
Epictetus
3rd Find your little piece of peace and happiness: It is important to remember to have a little fun and give yourself a little
break now and again. Make friends, explore the area, join an intramural sport team, go outside… Much-most-all of your time
is going to be spent studying, studying and studying, but take a little “you” time and enjoy it.
“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” –Marthe Troly-Curtin
4th A Note on Studying: Everyone learns differently. One of the greatest things I think our class has done is sharing our study
materials. Someone in our class created a class OneDrive and everyone shared the study guides, charts, practice tests, notes
and other study materials that they created. We also created a Quizlet account and used that as a study aid too. Studying in
PA school is different than studying anything else. When they say that “it’s like drinking from a water hose” it is 100% true.
The amount of information rained down upon you WILL be overwhelming. It will take time to figure out what works for you.
Share what works for you and use what your classmates share. Some material is difficult and seeing it from someone else’s
perspective helps.
5th What to do This Summer: So I would suggest enjoying the summer, but prepare. Buy and read the EKG textbook (Dubin’s
Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s). At the very least start reading it when the semester begins. I would also suggest reviewing
anatomy and physiology anyway you see fit.
There is much more I could tell you but I never imagined I would take this much time and space sharing it all. Please feel free
to contact ANY questions, need advice, or just want to talk.
Kimberly Imhoff
Congratulations class of 2016!
I know you’re a combination of excited, anxious, thrilled, and maybe even a little scared. Above all, I want you to remember
that you were chosen to be here, and that you can do this!
When I started out, I was most anxious about how to study. There is a lot of material to learn, and at times it will seem
daunting. Probably the best advice I can give is to do what works best for you, whether that’s flashcards, reading the book, or
making study guides. That’s something that will take some time to figure out, but don’t worry, it will come.
The most important thing about studying I think is to rely on your classmates and work together. Our class uses SkyDrive,
where we share notes and study guides, and it helps tremendously. There are some subjects and topics where it feels
impossible for me to keep up, and relying on the information my classmates provides helps me get through those topics. Also,
get to know your classmates outside of the school setting. The better you know each other, the more you will trust each
other and work together. We constantly have a big group of us going to get dinner together, or going to Raleigh for some
event. We are all a giant family at Campbell!
Make sure you keep a balanced life in school. We are all here to become PAs and to learn as much as we can, but don’t
drown in the information. You simply can’t learn every little detail, especially not in your first year. Be sure to take time for
yourself and your loved ones, whether that’s through exercise, meditation, community service, or simply allotting time in
your day where you don’t study. Its very important to take that time, because you can burn out easily otherwise.
When it comes to grades, there’s really one thing to remember: your grades don’t matter. Yes, you have to maintain a
minimum grade, but this should really be all you concern yourself with. Even if you aren’t doing well in a particular subject or
topic, it doesn’t mean that you will be any worse of a clinician. Additionally, don’t share your grades with your classmates.
Now that you’re here, competition is over. We don’t compete for residencies or anything like that, so there’s really no point
in creating that competition.
As far as textbooks go, how many of them you buy is really dependent on how much you use them to study. I can go ahead
and tell you that some are far more useful than others. The ones I use the most are probably Current Medical Diagnosis and
Treatment (CMDT), and Cecil’s Essentials of Medicine. The book for Behavior Medicine is also really helpful, as is Dubin’s
Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s. Current Diagnosis in Surgery will also be useful. Most of the other textbooks I rarely used or
never used. However, you should definitely get some PANCE review books. The most helpful ones I’ve come across so far are
Van Rhee’s Physician Assistant Board Review (green cover) and O’Connell and Zarbock’s Comprehensive Review (blue and
green cover). These do a really good job of giving you the quick hits of a lot of topics, and they have good practice questions,
plus its never too soon review for the PANCE!
There’s lots more to tell, but these are the basics to get you started. Again, congratulations on making it here. PA school is a
whirlwind, but just enjoy the ride! Please don’t hesitate to get it touch with me if you have any more questions. My email
address is [email protected]. I look forward to meeting you all!
-Braxton Kinsey, PA-S
Congratulations Class of 2016!!!!
I am sure all of you are getting excited and anxious about FINALLY starting PA school.
But first, I have a few words of wisdom for you all!
Before starting PA school
• RELAX, RELAX, RELAX!
• Take time off from work if possible
• Go on vacation
• Spend time with family and friends
• DO NOT STUDY. DO NOT STUDY. DO NOT STUDY.
Days leading up to the BIG FIRST DAY!
• Don’t you dare be studying and preparing ahead of time!
• Prepare yourself to learn a lot of names and get to know a lot of people.
• Start this new journey with an OPEN MIND!!
While in PA school
•
Study! Study! Study! BUT Sleep > All-nighter
o Some nights you will stay up later than others however, there comes a point that you are not retaining
any more information and you will benefit more by going to sleep to let it all sink in.
o I know from personal experience – I pulled “all-nighters” in undergrad and while I have yet to pull
one in PA school, I have come close by staying up until 2am and waking up at 5am (ONCE) followed
by my worst exam score of all
o It is much more beneficial to realize how much sleep you need to function well on an exam and in
class over staying up in the wee hours of the night trying to cram everything in.
• Have fun! PA school is intense, challenging, stressful, etc. but it is also so much fun!
• Be friends with your classmates because you are all in this together as a FAMILY!
o Be respectful to your classmates and faculty. Don’t think your knowledge and/or experience trumps
someone else’s because the more open mind and humble you are, the more you will learn and get out
of this experience.
• Share you notes, study guides, any information that you find with your classmates  TEAMWORK!
• Make time for your friends and family. It may seem hard at first but eventually you will find your balance
between studying, school, and free time (yes you do have free time!)
• Don’t get frustrated when you change the way you study 37 times at the beginning. It took me about 5-6
months before I realized the best way FOR ME to study. And it’s okay to study differently for each class and
from your classmates.
o My way of studying  I turn every powerpoint into a word document by typing it up either in class
or after class + reading the PANCE review books. Oh and sometimes I read the assigned readings IF I
have time.
Best piece of advice I received from a patient prior to PA school  “Go into something acting like you know
nothing.” – This keeps you from assuming, overlooking crucial details and allows you to have an open mind.
GOOD LUCK! 
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or advice!
Brittany Kirby
[email protected]
(828) 320-5107
CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a Campbell Camel! I truly believe Campbell is the friendliest, most wonderful PA school in
North Carolina. You are going to have an amazing year in this program!
Some bits of advice:
1. TAKE TIME OFF THIS SUMMER! If you are able, travel. Visit family. Hang out with friends. Don’t work. Do not study!!
There’s really no point in trying to “brush up” on your anatomy, physiology, etc. etc. If you feel absolutely compelled
to do something, read Dubin’s EKG book (it has an orange cover.) Otherwise…relax. For real. And enjoy having lots of
down time.
2. When school starts, figure out what works best for you in terms of studying, and do that thing. For instance, I am a
solitary studier; I’m a morning person and get up at 6am every day to study before class. This allows me to maximize
my after class playing outside time (climbing, tennis, etc.). But, there are others in our class that stay up until 1 or
2am studying, and do a lot of group work. That’s awesome. Do what is best for YOU, not what your BFF is doing.
3. Take a day (or two…or three…) per week to not focus on schoolwork. I promise it’s ok if you don’t study 24/7. Maybe
spend Friday afternoon and all of Saturday hanging out with family and friends, or exploring the area, or taking a trip
to the beach, or whatever. But definitely take time “off” or you’ll get burned out really quick.
4. Being a team with your class is clutch. If y’all don’t work together, you’re going to have some serious challenges. Our
class created a SkyDrive account and people post their study guides, charts, notes, and practice exams on it. We also
use a class Quizlet account and people study from those flash cards. These resources have been super helpful;
remember that you’re no longer competing with the people in your class – you’re colleagues now! And it’s awesome!
5. And speaking of being a team with your classmates…you’re also friends. Hang out! Do fun things together! My class
goes out together probably at least once per week – we do birthday celebrations, Aviators, pool afternoons at
Marquee in Fuquay, trivia night at County Seat, lunch at Mi Casitas in Lillington, go up to Raleigh and so on. I feel like I
showed up the first day of school and had 43 friends that had been hand-picked for me. The admissions committee at
Campbell really does a phenomenal job of admitting students who will mesh well together – so remember you’re
here FOR A REASON!
6. Appreciate the faculty – they care about you as a person, and care about your well-being. Respect them. Be NICE to
them. They really are a wonderful group of people!
7. Enjoy the experience. I know PA school may seem daunting, but you’ve been given such an amazing opportunity by
being admitted to this PA program. There are days you’re going to feel overwhelmed; you’re going to have some
amazing highs and probably also some pretty terrible lows, but it’s going to be worth it!
8. And finally, be flexible. (You’ll hear Mrs. Johnson say it a lot...and it’s true!) The schedule changes, lecturers can’t
come last minute, things happen. It’s ok. Breathe. And take that extra hour to review lecture material. 
Please feel free to contact me with any questions! Congratulations again, and enjoy the ride!
All the best,
Anna Klein
[email protected]
Congratulations!! Welcome to Campbell MPAP. You are about to begin the final leg of your journey to becoming a PA. The
hard part, the part where others make the decisions to give you the chance has been successfully completed. From now on, it
is up to you. The faculty, the students ahead of you, and those around you are cheering you on and will be there to help, but
it is up to you. You aren’t competing with anyone anymore. If everybody does worse or better than you makes no difference
to your future. So, do your best and only your best.
New knowledge and new skills are going to come and come fast, and keep coming. You can do it! This part of the trip will take
dedication, optimism, several mistakes, and perhaps a few sleepness nights but it’s fun. Take it a day at a time keeping your
head up for what is coming.
You have sacrificed a lot and worked hard to get where you are, now decide that you will finish it. It’s not going to be easy so
decide now rather than later that you will do the work and get it done.
Mountains always look bigger when you are looking up at them. Once you look at just the next step and keep climbing you’ll
find that you are making progress. If it seems hard that’s because it is. Nothing worth it is easy and you can do this. The pay
off is worth it. Things work out. You aren’t competing so no one is against you, everything that is happening is to help you
succeed. Those boulders in the way are really just stepping stones lifting you up closer to your goals.
Mistakes happen. If you aren’t making them then you aren’t stretching enough. Go ahead, give it your best shot…sure you’ll
fall flat on your face sometimes but you’ll be moving forward. Get back up, make sure your nose is OK, and then push on
ahead with a smile and newly gained experiences…stories that will be worth telling.
Sleep is highly overrated…at least that’s what you have to tell yourself sometimes. Take care of yourself though. Don’t kill
yourself, you have to do your best but you can only do your best.
Have fun. Enjoy it. Nothing is perfect, there will be some things that seem unfair, assignments that seem pointless, exam
questions that didn’t measure what you know…don’t fret. A line from one of my favorite poems: “no use to grumble and
complain, it’s just as cheap and easy to rejoice!” Pass the tests, pass the assignments, learn from the OSCE’s and Simulations
and go on.
Step by step, help others along the way and you’ll make it!
Congratulations!!
Kondie Lykins, PA-S
[email protected]
CONGRATULATIONS incoming PA students and welcome to the Creek!!
Now get ready for a crazy, fun, challenging, exciting, rewarding, and indescribable adventure! Campbell’s
PA program is incredible, the faculty are amazing, and time flies faster than it ever has before!
My biggest fears and questions as school approached, I’m sure are very similar to yours. Whatever they
are, stop stressing NOW! We are a class of 44 students, most of whom had never met before school
started, and we are now 44 friends, some of which are my best friends! It’s truly an extraordinary
experience, you’ll be surprised at just how much you learn and the relationships you create with your
classmates.
The most important thing I have learned since August is teamwork! It was emphasized to us from the
previous classes to work together as a team and that we are ALL in this TOGETHER, to help each other
become the best future PA’s we can be!! You are no longer competing with other students, and grades
DO NOT matter (C’s get degrees! ). Also, our class uses OneDrive to share study guides, practice tests,
diagrams, pretty much anything that may help us best prepare for an exam! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND
your class does the same. You’re not always going to have time to make a study guide for an exam, so
share and work with others and you’ll rock it!
I know you’re wondering, is PA school really that hard? You’ll soon find out for yourself!  It is
unbelievable what your brain is capable of doing in such a short period of time! Never give up, and even
though there may be times when you’re overly stressed/ worried about how you’re ever going to find
enough time to study all the material and be prepared for multiple exams in one week, know that you can
do this! Just take it one day at a time. You wouldn’t have been accepted if faculty didn’t truly believe you
will make a great PA! Again, work together, try new study habits, form study groups, find out what works
for you and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
In the midst of the crazy PA school schedule, remember it’s CRUCIAL you find a balance between life
and school. There will always be something to study, but make sure you take time for yourself. Whether
that’s time for family, exercise, cooking… Make it a priority or you will get burnt out. I always took Friday
nights off, and found time for some type of workout most days of the week- it mentally saved me!
Enough about school, what about the time leading up to it?! Take time off!! You’ll soon have very little free
time, so enjoy it! I personally wouldn’t recommend taking any classes to “get ahead”. I quit my job and
spent 2 months traveling and enjoying time with family and friends, I’ve never regretted that decision!
Good luck to all of you, I look forward to meeting you this fall! If you have any questions about
ANYTHING, feel free to email me! Enjoy your summer!!!
Marisa Marsolek
[email protected]
Hello PA-S1!!!!!!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! Getting accepted to PA school is a BIG DEAL so take moment and be proud of yourself! 
You are about to begin the BEST 28 month journey of your life…seriously, it’s so much fun! 
Here are a few tips from me to you:
1. Don’t be nervous! Before I began didactic year I was very nervous about academics…you can do it! I promise. Your
undergrad GPA has no reflection on how you’ll do in PA school…this is a whole new ball game. Also, you WILL figure
out your study style and what is best for you within the first month. You don’t have time to waste so your routine will
fall into place by itself.
2. Be there for each other! Your classmates are the ONLY people that will understand what you’re going through…no
matter how much you try and explain it to others, they won’t get it. Get a shared OneDrive for your class and share
EVERYTHING with each other (study guides, practice tests, online texts, etc…)…everyone’s circumstances are different
and the competition is now over. Share, share, share!!! (Just ask us if you don’t understand how to use OneDrive…we
will show you!)
3. HAVE FUN! This is the most important tip…seriously, do it! You don’t need to get straight A’s…you CANNOT retain all
of the information they try and teach you…so remember to LIVE during these 28 months. Do things you enjoy…spend
time with people…you’ll go crazy if all you do is stay home and study.
4. Exercise! You don’t need me to tell you the benefits of exercise…but with all the sitting you do in class…sitting at
home/school to study…you really need to get up and move a little! Utilize the (free) Campbell gym (open MondaySunday) or participate in intramural sports (our class participated in MANY different sports together, with the DO’s as
well, and it was a BLAST)! P.S. You don’t need to be good at sports to participate in intramurals…haha 
5. TAKE IT ONE EXAM AT A TIME. Don’t think too far ahead…you really, really need to do this. I have been a “planner”
my whole life…until I started PA school. The only way to maintain your stress level is to worry about only one or two
things at a time, and once that is over, move on to the next. This might take some getting used to…but it works, I
swear!
6. Everyone learns/studies/performs differently. Don’t compare yourself to your classmates, don’t share
grades…everyone is different! The important thing is to all start the program together and complete the program
together…without losing anybody  Whether that means you got straight A’s or straight C’s won’t matter in the long
run. (What do you call a PA who graduated with straight C’s?......A PA!) 
7. The faculty are AMAZING! Become friends with them  They are wonderful, intelligent practitioners who are here to
help YOU. They truly enjoy doing what they are doing…so TAKE THEIR ADVICE! They know what they’re talking
about…I promise!
Please DO NOT hesitate to contact me ANYTIME! I’m here to help! Congratulations again and GOOD LUCK!! Remember to
breathe…YOU GOT THIS! 
Sarah R Mastronardi
[email protected] // (262) 945-4756
Hi! Welcome to PA school. You are going to love it here at Campbell.
1. The number one most important thing to know is that YOU CAN DO IT!
2. You can do it! Make friends with all your classmates, you need them and they need you! We share EVERY study guide, every
practice test, and every review sheet with each other to our class skydrive account (Have someone make one). Definitely use a
class account and not a personal account.
3. Live close to school! It’s a huge benefit to have a short commute and you can study at the nice building.
4. Wait before rushing to buy all the books. We were able to get almost all the books on our Skydrive/Onedrive account. For the
amount you will need them (very little for some classes) it is not worth purchasing them (they are so expensive).
a. Books you definitely not need to buy: Anatomy; Physiology; Cecils; Genetics; Pharm; Health Policy; EBM and like all
spring and summer semester books.
5. Please do not complain about assignments and examinations. Complaints and negative talk bring down class morale. Absolutely
every exam is PASSABLE: if you think a question is unfair, keep it to yourself. You passed. That’s all that matters.
6. FALL SEMESTER
a. Anatomy: Dr. Oleg is the best professor you will ever have this semester. He is literally awesome. He is an accomplished
surgeon and entertaining lecturer.
i. Study for the quizzes. I studied for a few hours for each quiz and didn’t have to study for the tests when they
came around (makes life a lot easier).
ii. Dr. Oleg often quizzes from questions he put in the box – take good notes in his class because he also quizzes
from what he says
b. Physiology: Dr. Hall is your friend. Pay attention to her in lecture because she can be very detailed but explains what you
need to know.
c. Clinical medicine: hardest class of first semester. Get a PANCE review book (I like Van Rhee’s). Study the PANCE review
book and know the Essentials of Diagnosis from CMDT (you need to for sure by that book)
d. History and Physical Exam: Definitely get a Bates and baby bates. Read the book because tons of test questions come
from it.
i. WAIT to get your equipment. If you don’t already have a BP cuff and stethoscope, you can save $300 getting
the BP cuff, Littmann 3 cardiology stethoscope, and excellent otoscope/ophthalmoscope diagnostic set.
e. Radiology: Buy the book and read it; do the advisee discussions as a group. This isn’t an easy topic but you can do it!
f. Pharmacotherapeutics: A hard class; you don’t need the book; study the PowerPoint & you’ll be fine
g. Genetics & Health Policy: Do not buy the books. They will be available online; you can relax during these classes
7. SPRING SEMESTER: Harder material (more medicine, less review); I thought spring semester was more difficult for me.
a. Behavioral medicine: Buy the “A Guide” book and read it for every test.
b. Clinical medicine: Same as fall semester. Will become easier.
c. Lab medicine: Buy the current edition of the book and read it for every exam.
d. Surgery: Buy the two assigned books and read them for every exam.
e. Pharm: Same as first semester but harder because more material
f. Evidence Based medicine: find an article early on to present. The books are online for this class. Should be easy for
those who have done any kind of research before.
8. SUMMER SEMESTER:
a. Just started so I don’t have any pearls of wisdom but feel free to contact me at any point.
GOOD LUCK!
Leighanne R. McGill
To the Class of 2016:
First and foremost, let me congratulate you on getting into Campbell and beginning the adventure of a lifetime!
Campbell is truly a unique program with the utmost interest in its students and their wellbeing in school and in life. You will
be well taken care of here. That being said, school is a whirlwind, it is intense and yet extremely gratifying. So here goes my
advice for PA school survival:
Prepare yourself for the adventure. My advice would be to take the summer off. As much as possible, try to enjoy your time
with family and friends, take a vacation and treat yourself to a few stress-free weeks before school begins. Don’t worry about
studying or reading up on anything extra. You will get all the info you need in the classroom.
Be well. Whatever “wellness” means to you, achieve it and maintain it. You will need to call on parts of your brain that you
never knew existed. There are long days spent in the classroom with lots of sitting which can be trying, at times. Being in
good health will keep you sane. Maintaining your health will seem like a daunting task at some points, try to make it a
priority, it is worth it!
Respect your classmates. You will all come from different backgrounds, be different ages, be at different stages in your life,
but they are your new family. At times, classmates will lean on you for support or guidance or help with studying and you will
lean on them. They will be your greatest resource and assets! Share your study guides, charts, etc. ALL OF IT! Even if you
think no one else will understand your crazy stream of consciousness, share it. There is no room for competition in the class,
you are all in the same boat headed for the same goal, work together to help everyone to achieve.
Enjoy the ride! PA school really is a joyous and incredibly fun rollercoaster. Embark on this new stage in life as an adventure,
take the ups with the downs and take it all in. Time really does fly by, so have fun!
Sincerely,
Morgan Davis
Feel free to contact me any time- [email protected]
Hey Class of 2016!! Congratulations on your acceptance into PA school, and into an amazing PA program here at Campbell!!
Not sure exactly how to direct my comments but I’ll start with food since I love food!! Haha (contact information is at the
bottom of the page)
Lillington:
• There are no real good eats but I recommend the Taco Truck in Lillington. It’s off the main street and if you pass
Burger King you’ve gone too far. It’s good authentic(ish) Mexican food. I get the “gringa”
• Mi Casita is good and cheap and pretty quick. Large parties welcome!
Coats:
• Noah’s Pizza (the GIANT size pizza is good for large gatherings!!)
Angier:
• Sunni Sky’s for ice cream!!!(of course) They have tons of flavors!! Switch it up! And they only accept CASH!!! Be
prepared!
Fuquay-Varina:
• Aviator (they advertise their wings but they have delicious burgers
• BELLINI’S It’s an AMAZING Italian restaurant in the Harris Teeter shopping center. It’s where I go when I want to
splurge on a nice dinner
Raleigh:
• There are plenty of amazing places in Raleigh! I’m sure many classmates have opinions though!
• Blue Mango is a GREAT Indian restaurant (Chicken Masala is my faveeee!!)
Living Location:
I live in a one bedroom in University Manor and I enjoy it. It’s really close to campus and it’s convenient if I wanted to
run home for lunch or forgot something. I’ve always lived with people so this was a different experience living by myself but
I had some much needed alone time. You’re with classmates a majority of the day/week so alone time is a must!! I
recommend living close to campus. It makes things a lot easier and you can squeeze in more study/sleep time!
Class and Faculty:
The faculty is an invaluable resource but DO NOT abuse their time! They do so much work behind the scenes and do
not get credit where it is deserved. They do not need EVERY complaint that comes their way. Please think about what is
really necessary and if you can resort to your classmates for more help. At the end of it, your classmates are in the same
situation and are essentially going through the same thing so talk things out with each other and see if you can’t find your
answers through them. Lean on your classmates and WORK TOGETHER. I would not be here if it wasn’t for them!
Books:
I ****HIGHLY RECOMMEND**** reading Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s by Dubin at some point before school or before you
start going over EKG strips in class. It is an EASY read and it would save a lot of trouble when it comes time to check out
rhythm strips!!!!
I would purchase both Baby Bates and the large size book on Guide to Physical Examination. Baby Bates doesn’t go into as
much detail as the large book but it’s a great reference to have on hand and carry (and it can fit in your white coat pocket!!)
CONTACT INFORMATION:
I know I only touched upon a few things and I am more than happy to answer any additional questions anyone may have!!
I’m from Florida by the way so all of this was a drastic change so I can relate to any other students coming from out of state!
My email is [email protected]
Phone: 850-516-4070
New Campbell PA Students,
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You made it, and now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the ride. PA school is like
nothing else you've done before. This means you've got to adjust your learning to fit the material. For me, I found a
study group, and learned to study ahead of time to make the night before the test a “relaxing” review. That being
said, everyone learns differently, so make sure to find what works for you. Keep in mind, this may not be what has
worked in the past.
I think the best advice I could give would to be don’t let PA school take over your life. Continue to make time for
whatever makes you happy. Spend time with your friends/family, go to the gym, travel somewhere on the weekend,
anything. Just make time for you. It is so easy, especially first semester, to study and study and study. But the truth
is, you’ll never make it through without balance in your life.
Things get hectic first semester, but just remember that you can do it. One thing to always keep in mind is that you
are sitting in one of 44 spots out of the thousands of applicants that wanted to be there!! That’s pretty
awesome. Make your spot count.
Finally, having just completed my first clinical assessment day (where we go out into the community and see real
patients/real cases) I can honestly say, IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. All the studying, long nights and
weekends spent learning as much material I could is finally beginning to pay off. This program is amazing and will
prepare you to be an awesome PA. Make sure to take advantage of every opportunity you can.
I am looking forward to meeting all of you in August!! Please let me know if you have any questions about the
program. And get excited, it will be here before you know it!
Warm regards,
Sarah Mulkey
[email protected]
Hello Class of 2016!
First of all, congratulations on your acceptance and welcome to Campbell! Here are a few pointers that I hope will help you
in your first year of PA school:
1. Enjoy your summer!! Take a trip, spend time with your family and friends, read a book for fun. Don’t worry about
studying before school starts – there will be plenty of that when August arrives!
2. For those of you who are married, understand that this may be a challenging experience for your spouse as well. Try to
prepare them and make sure they know what you’re getting into! I started PA school as a newlywed and my husband has
been my biggest supporter! I bring him with me to all the class gatherings and functions, I practice histories and physical
exams on him – I do whatever I can to include him in this process and we are getting through it as a team!
3. Your family and friends will cheer you on, but they won’t really understand what you’re going through. Get to know your
classmates, and be there for each other!
4. When you are feeling stressed out to the max, take a second to think about the worst case scenario. It is usually NOT that
bad!
5. This one may sound super cheesy, but I have literally done this several times this year. If you ever start feeling
discouraged about this process, think back to the way you felt the day you received the phone call saying you were accepted
into PA school. It is a nice reminder of why you are doing this!
6. You probably won’t use all the textbooks that you are told to buy, and some of them are available online! I found it
helpful to wait until a week or two after classes started each semester to find out which ones to buy vs. which ones I could
refer to online. Also feel free to ask any of us!
7. You will probably hear this a hundred times but it’s important to make time for yourself! Do things that make you happy.
You will certainly spend a lot of time studying but there is still time for you to have fun and have a life!
Best of luck to you all and please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help you in any way!
Brianna Dillon
Dear Class of 2016,
Congrats on choosing Campbell University to pursue your PA education. I think it will be a decision that you will not regret
and one that you can be proud of as you enter the profession. Below, I have provided an ABC’s of advice for you.
The first one is Attitude. Try to come with a good one everyday. Some days it will be harder than others. Bring your lunch.
It will save time and stress and allow for flexibility. Commitment; Be fully committed to whatever you are doing at that time.
Be in the moment. Determination; things will get tough, but have a little mental resolve and push through it. The hard times
don’t last forever. Effort; like most things in life, you will get out of the program what you put into it. Forget; If you have a
bad day or bad test result, take the lessons from it that you can and then move forward. Grateful; be grateful that you are in
the program. It is an opportunity presented to few. Help; everyone has their strengths, but you should help your classmates
as much as possible. You will need to rely on each other to make it through. Impressionable; let your brain be
impressionable and open to new ideas. It will greatly increase your learning capacity. Judicious; be wise in your decisions. Be
aware of your actions and understand that as you join this profession you will be held to certain standards. Kindness; be kind
to everyone who’s path you cross. You don’t know their journey and it will make a positive impression on both you and our
school. Listen; be an active listener. It will make you a better student and all around better practitioner in the future.
Multitask; you will need to get good at this, but deal with what is most pressing at the time. The rest will fall into place.
Novelty; a lot of things in PA school will be new and scary. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Embrace the challenge. Observe; you
can learn a lot from other people just by watching. Practice; practice things you are bad at. Nobody ever got good at
anything by being a bystander. Quiet; Take some quiet time for yourself everyday. You will need the calm amongst all the
chatter. Respect; respect your classmates and your instructors. Everyone has taken a different path to get to where they
are, and everyone has something to offer. Socialize; take some time to socialize every week. Make friends and contacts in
the other health programs. Those relationships will be important later and it will be good for your sanity. Time
management; you will realize how valuable your time is. Make every minute of your day count. Understand; understand
that there will be days that you think you aren’t going to make it and you will question your decision to leave your old life, but
you will get through it and everything will be ok. Value; value the time you spend with your classmates. They are the only
other people who are experiencing the exact same thing as you at the exact same time. Worthwhile; make the time you
spend in PA school worthwhile. It may be one of the few times in your life where it is the only thing you have to concentrate
on and worry about. Xpect; expect to do well. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will. You; you are unique and have
something special to offer. Remember that is why you were selected to join Campbell. Zest; have a zest for learning. You
will be provided with more knowledge than you could ever imagine. Take advantage of every opportunity to prepare yourself
to be the best practitioner possible.
I hope that these “pearls” of advice will be beneficial to you in your preparation for school. The Class of 2015 will be here to
ease your worries. I wish you the best of luck as you enter this great profession!
Sincerely,
Debbie Prouse MS ATC
[email protected]
Hello Campbell PA Class of 2016!
First off, congratulations to all of you on getting accepted! All the hard work you have done up until now has paid off. I
know that you are all excited to get started and maybe even a little unsure of what to do right now, so I will give you a few
pointers to help you prepare for the start of school and your first year in the program:
1) Enjoy the time off you have before you show up in August. I know some of you, like me, will try to work right up until
school starts, but do spend some time with your friends and family. If you are from out of state like me (Cincinnati,
Ohio), you won’t get many chances to see them while you’re in school. Besides, a little vacation here and there never
hurt anybody.
2) Use the class Facebook page to keep in contact with your classmates before school. It is a great way to make friends
and find potential roommates. Our class also uses a Skydrive page that we can post study guides, articles, and
practice exams to.
3) I recommend sharing an apartment or house with a roommate if you don’t mind living with someone else. Not only
do you save money in rent and utilities, but its nice having someone else around who understands what you’re going
through and can help you with studying.
4) Just because you’re in PA school doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying the things that you love to do. The key is to
effectively manage your time and priorities. Setting a weekly schedule helped me to set aside time for studying and
time for other things like working out, watching TV, etc.
5) Be sure to take care of your health. A few days of being sick can set you back quickly. Eating right, exercising, and
getting plenty of sleep will keep you mentally sharp and focused in the classroom.
6) The first year of PA school is like a rollercoaster: There will be weeks where it seems like there’s not much going on
and then there will be weeks when you feel like you’re drinking from the proverbial “fire hose” with the amount of
studying you do. Just remember that it’s been done before and that you were chosen because the faculty at
Campbell know that you have what it takes and believe you will make a great PA someday. Embrace the grind!
7) Your classmates are everything in PA school. You are all working toward the same goal, so it only makes sense that
you should do it together. My class is more like a family in that we do everything as a group, whether it be studying,
going out to eat for a classmate’s birthday, or going to the beach on the weekend. Teamwork and camaraderie will
guarantee success for your class, so help your classmates when you can because you might need their help later on.
Welcome to Campbell! Enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you all in August!
Nick Reist
To the Incoming Class of 2016:
First of all congratulations! Getting into PA school for me was a massive undertaking and I’m sure the same can be said for
you. Campbell is an amazing place to call home for your schooling, as you will soon see. We are blessed with an amazing and
dedicated faculty and really the best facility around. I cannot tell you how impressed I continuously am with this place, and I
am so grateful I chose Campbell. Let how fortunate you are sink in all summer. It really is an exciting time to be getting into
our profession. Not to rain on all these positive thoughts, but get ready!
The beauty (and sheer terror) of PA school is that you are thrown into the fire on day one, and feel like you are just going to
burn… Which you will not. I will never forget how literally on week 2 we had to perform a checklist of things I had no
background or experience in. That same week we not only were cutting into our cadavers, but were pulling out organs. And
having tests. Oh the exams- they will come quick and often. Some weeks it will feel like you are drowning. PA school is as
bad as advertised; several times throughout this first year I have taken a step back and said that it was much worse than I had
ever imagined. I know you will read this and think the same thing I thought one short year ago: that this guy is weak and that
the difficulty of PA school will not apply to me… But you have been warned. It will be brutal, but you will get through.
My overall advice would be as follows:
•
Enjoy the heck out of your summer; you cannot get that carefree feeling again until December (winter break and a
chance to take a breath)
•
Find some type exercise or stress reliving that you will cling too during school. I ran off stress and frustrations countless
times thru the semester and thus retained some sanity.
•
Warn your family and friends of what is to come. You will not see them as much as you would like.
On that note, make peace with the fact that your social life will suffer, and embrace studying. You will find your true
friends are the ones who stick with you even when your time is very limited.
•
Make the most of your classmates. Embrace them, get to know them, but do not feel that you need to be best friends
with everyone. I have a very close-knit group of friends but feel that I could call on anyone in the class for help or advice
and this is a great feeling.
•
Be professional and do not be “that guy.” Every class tends to have someone who is late, never turns off the cell phone,
always lives in the past, or asks annoying questions. Represent yourself and your colleagues well and do not take this
responsibility lightly.
•
Let go of yourself and your pretenses: remember all of your classmates are in the same boat as you. It took the first
brutal exam to level us off, and after we all felt vulnerable, I think the class really gelled more.
•
Overall, know that this year is going to be downright terrible at times. However, we are privileged to get to do what we
do, so it will be all worth it in the end (all sacrifices will be justified). Patients of the future will be counting on us and we
will do ourselves, our families, and our professors proud by rising to the occasion.
My wife, golden retriever and I will be here in Lillington. Contact me if I can help in any way.
-Richard Harris
Hello Campbell PA class of 2016!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! I am so excited for all of you who have made it into this outstanding program. There are
probably millions of emotions running through your heads right now and that is totally normal! My best advice for the time
before you start school is to RELAX and take as much time for yourself, and your family and friends as possible. Do not try to
study ahead (except for medical terminology!). I promise you will learn all you need to know once you are here in school.
Where should you live? I live right in Buies Creek, about a 5 minute drive to campus and I am happy with where I chose to
stay. Yes, it is true that there is not much around in this area but nothing is too far away and it is very nice to be so close to
school! There are people in the class who live up to an hour away so it really depends on how far you want to drive every day
since you will be spending a good amount of time at school.
What should I expect from school? I don’t think that there is anything you can do to be prepared for the journey that you are
about to embark on! You will be overwhelmed, stressed, studying more than you ever have and ultimately learning more
than you ever thought possible! Do not worry, every PA student I know feels this way. This is why it is crucial to rely on your
classmates for support! I could not have made it this far without my classmates. We share study guides, have study sessions
and help tutor one another when one person has more knowledge on a subject than others, and most importantly we have
fun!! This is not a time to be competitive (none of us ever share grades, there is no need!), this is a time to make sure all of
you make it to the end together.
A few other things:
•
•
•
•
•
Our faculty is absolutely amazing! They are always available to talk to us if we have questions or concerns and they
work SO hard to make sure we have the best experience possible. They are what make our program so great, so
make sure to thank them and realize how lucky we are to have these amazing educators on our side!
Make sure to take some time out of studying for yourself and those you love. You will go crazy if you spend day in
and day out with your nose in a book! Keep up with your hobbies while you can. I personally (usually) take Friday
nights off studying to keep my sanity 
Buy a PANCE review book! My personal favorite is Physician Assistant Board Review by James Van Rhee. I find it
helpful to review the sections in the book prior to tests to become familiar with how the book is laid out.
Take OSCEs seriously! They are going to be scary at first but they are a very helpful experience that you will be very
grateful for when you go out and see your first patients. You will feel more comfortable with them each time you do
one.
Although there are times it will feel like there is no way you will make it through, YOU WILL! It is the most difficult yet
rewarding experience you will ever go through. Just have confidence in yourself, get excited and be ready to have
fun while getting super smart!
I am looking forward to meeting all of you in August! Enjoy your last few months until your new journey begins!
Perri Royea
[email protected]
Hello Class of 2016! I would like to say welcome to Campbell and Congratulations! I know you all must be
feeling very excited and maybe slightly nervous as you are preparing to begin your new journey (I know I
was). Let me just offer a few words of encouragement and advice. First off Campbell’s PA program is
excellent and you made the right choice choosing this program.  We are privileged to learn from the
best and get to use a state of the art building. Campbell really is one big family and we are blessed to be
a part of it.
Secondly, know that you were specifically chosen by the faculty to be a part of this upcoming house. They
do a great job of choosing students who will complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Take
heart in knowing that you have been chosen for a reason.
Thirdly, take the summer off. You will be tempted to try and study or read whatever you can before
classes starts, but don’t. (The only book I would recommend reading is the EKG book for the fall
semester). They will teach you everything you need to know once school starts. So in the meantime
spend time with family and friends; travel; etc. There will be plenty of time to study once August rolls
around.
Next come prepared to work as a team. Now that you have gotten into school the competition is over.
Your classes will go much smoother if you learn to help one another instead of trying to beat each other.
For example our class has been really good about sharing study materials for almost every test and
helping each other make it through each semester.
Lastly, have fun. Know that there will always be something that you could be studying, but you have to
figure out how to live a balanced life. I like to work out and spend time with my dog so I made sure to take
time to do that each day. I also take every Friday and Saturday off from studying so that I can have some
down time. Don’t ever feel guilty about taking time for yourself.
Once again Congratulations and Good Luck! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Aimee Sharp, PA-S
[email protected]
Dear Class of 2016 Cambpell PA Student,
Welcome to Campbell’s PA program! Please realize that everyone at Campbell cares about you. If you have any
questions, large or small, I would be glad to try to answer them for you. At this point last year, I remember having
all kinds of questions…even down to what school supplies I should consider purchasing. 
My quite random thoughts follow.
1. If at all possible, take time off before school begins. Don’t bother studying!! You really don’t need to. But…If
you are bored and just HAVE to do something, I suggest reading Dale Dubins, Rapid Interpretation of EKGs.
You will need to read it during the first semester Cardiology unit and it falls at a pretty busy time of the
semester. I did not read it ahead of time and still did well on the exam.
2. Start studying the way you know how. Many students before me said that all of your study habits will change!
While that may be true in some sense, stick with what you know works. When I was in undergrad, I just learned
all of the material and succeeded on the exams. That won’t be possible here. Mrs. Johnson will tell you to know
the “most dangerous and most common”. For Clinical Medicine, when you are trimming all the notes down to a
reasonable (still large) amount to study, keep that in mind.
3. Purchase Van Rhee’s Physician Assistant Board Review book and use it before every Clinical Medicine exam. It
is a great way to get used to the PANCE review questions even in your first semester.
4. I am married and have three kids (ages 5, 8, & 10). If you also are married with children, my advice is to plan
ahead and take all the help you can get! My husband has had to take on more responsibilities and I am blessed to
have my parents helping also. As crazy as this might sound, “mommy guilt” is, by far, the hardest part of PA
school. Be prepared for that. I plan everything in advance from meals to my study schedule around soccer
games, teacher conferences etc. This helps all of us be prepared for the week ahead. My kids have gotten used
to me studying often and we all look forward to fun plans when I graduate (Disney World and a puppy). 
5. Find the study schedule that works for you. Most of us are studying way more than we ever have previously. I
study best in the evenings after my children are in bed but rarely past midnight. On most weekends, I study most
of Saturday but try to take most of Sunday off.
6. Get to know your classmates as soon as you can! Start working together as a team. Help each other. Start a
class Facebook page. Open a One Drive account. Share study guides, practice exams, quizlet accounts! You
will not be sorry.
7. Drop your insecurities! I bet most of you are worried about PA school, if you can do it, were you really
supposed to have been accepted etc. Yes, you were chosen! Yes, you can do it! When it gets overwhelming,
just take it one day at a time. All of you are in the same boat. You have an awesome faculty and us Class of
2015 students that really care about you and your success. If you need help, ask for it!
Most Sincerely,
Heatherly M. Simmons, [email protected]
Hello Future Camels!
Congratulations on being accepted to Campbell’s PA program! You definitely made the best decision of your life! I absolutely
love the faculty & being part of the Campbell family.
You probably have a lot of questions running through your mind, & hopefully I can address most of them. Here are some of the
questions I had before starting school:
Should you study ahead of time? NO. Take time off for your friends & family! There will be times where you have to sacrifice
get-togethers or trips with friends/family for school. I had two jobs last year, so I felt the need to take a month off and just relax.
I was able to spend more time with my parents, and make a trip to Vegas to visit my friend. It was great and I highly
recommend it.
Where should I live? That’s entirely depends upon you. I wanted to be close to school, not worry about a commute, and save
time & gas money. There is not much to do around here, but because I get distracted easily, living by school helped me focus
better. Raleigh/Cary is about 45 minutes away so I would usually make a trip every Saturday to see friends/family, go
shopping, or go downtown.
Will there be free time? YES, as long as you manage your time well and stay on top of the material, there will be free time.
And for those of you who are over-achievers, please do not let school and studying consume your life. It is difficult, however
we all need a mental break. Give yourself an hour of no school related fun - watching TV, exercising, or cooking a meal is my
thing.
Some things I encourage during school:
-
Exercise! I go to the gym typically 3-4 times a week. It gives me energy & more confidence
Get enough sleep! There will be long days in class, & a lot of material so proper rest is essential
Take an evening off! Take a night off and do something you enjoy.
Eat healthy! You will be sitting in class for hours, & unless you want to gain weight, I suggest you have a good diet.
Although, you have to visit Sunni Sky’s in Angier at least once.
Try different study methods & determine what is best for you. Be organized early on – it saves time!
Some tips:
- Do not complain! Remember, you have committed 28 months of making a career for yourself
- There is no such thing as competition in PA school. Do not create it. Teamwork is key.
- Help others succeed. Share study guides, quiz each other, support one another
- Be professional. Don’t be late to class, do not interrupt, treat others with respect
- Buy the van Rhee PANCE Review book – it simplifies the material learned in class.
- Be flexible! Schedule changes can create a 1 or 2 hour gap so try to be productive
- OneNote >>> Power point. Try it out.
- Know your priorities! If you have an exam the next day & don’t feel prepared, please don’t watch your show on TV.
DVR or ABCgo is awesome.
- Don’t share grades – To me, sharing grades = being competitive & “bragging”. Please don’t.
- Don’t give up! It is a lot of material to absorb but make an effort and you’ll do fine.
- Seek help if you really need it. Talk to our advisor, or reach out to a classmate
- DO NOT procrastinate! If you get an assignment, and you know you are forgetful, do it right away. I started writing a
To-Do list using sticky notes on my desktop.
- When stressed out, think about the journey you had to get here & where you will be once you complete school. It’s
tough, but isn’t it worth it?
Again, congratulations! And good luck! I’ll be happy to address any other questions you have.
Vaishali Thanawala.
[email protected]
First things first! Congratulations on being accepted to the greatest PA program there is! A LOT of people wanted that spot
and YOU GOT IT! I’m so excited for you all to begin. You will love it! So I remember reading buddy letters and hearing a lot of
the same… so I tried to include a few specifics maybe you’ve heard them…maybe not. If you have any questions FEEL FREE TO
EMAIL ME. Best of luck to you all!
About me: I’m originally from AZ so I’m an out of state student!
TIPS for out of staters:
- Check your flight schedules early, most people in our class were busy over breaks or traveling so it was a
good chance to go home 
- Keeping up with people at home can be tough (especially if you have a time difference)
I got good at facebook messages and emails (pro-tip no one knows if you send the same one to
multiple people and it’s a major time saver)
I live in Fuquay so I commute 20 min each way
- I don’t mind it at all! I carpool most days and I leave min of 30 min before I want to be at school which
keeps me on schedule.
- There are like 4 grocery stores AND a Walmart in Fuquay. Also Starbucks, that alone makes my commute
worth it.
- I have to plan to pack my lunch because I don’t go home in between.
My healthcare experience was: ER Scribe and float pool CNA (inpatient)
- I have less experience than most but I have been just fine and you will too!
How to prepare before you get here????
- Obviously enjoy your time but if you want some actual suggestions of things you COULD do (BY NO
MEANS do you need to do these)
- READ THE EKG book! It’s a quick read and well explained you will end up re-reading during that
cardiology block but it WILL HELP to have already read it.
- Buy some NETTERS FLASHCARDS. I hadn’t taken anatomy in a while and it would have been nice to have
an edge on that.
Other Pearls of wisdom for happy PA students once you actually get here!
- Check your ego at the door. You are all rockstars with different strengths, share them because you are now a team
and you are only as strong as your weakest link (so don’t let there be any!)
- Keep your personal experience stories for lunch/breaktime they can get disruptive during lecture.
- TAKE A NIGHT OFF! Go to the gym, cook dinner, watch your favorite TV show and SLEEP for an extra 30 min once and
a while instead of studying! You will still pass the test and you’ll be a lot less stressed out!
-Krista Udd
[email protected]
Hello Class of 2016!
Welcome to the Campbell University PA Program, you have made a great choice! My name is Suzzette and I have had
the pleasure of meeting and starting friendships with some of the dual MPH/PA students and I can already say your class is
off to a good start! I see you already have a Facebook page as well…that is a smart way to keep everyone connected. Another
website that will be CRUCIAL in your didactic year is OneDrive.com! PA School is ALL about helping each other and OneDrive
provides the perfect means of doing so. Our classmates provided textbooks, made study guides, charts, practice tests etc. and
shared them on OneDrive….if I had to pick one INVALUABLE study tool that has pushed me through didactic year without a
doubt--OneDrive is it.
Random Advice:
1.
Unless you are someone who has to have a physical textbook in your hand to function, I wouldn’t suggest buying any
textbooks. As I mentioned before, most of the required texts were available on our OneDrive and you can contact me
personally at [email protected] if you have questions about that. Wink, wink.
2. There’s nothing wrong with living in the creek, especially during didactic year! Sometimes the schedule will change
(lecturer won’t be able to make it, inclement weather etc) and you will really appreciate living close by if that
happens!
3. Don’t be the kid that goes through PA school without making any friends. PA SCHOOL IS SO MUCH MORE FUN WITH
FRIENDS!!! Things can get stressful and your friends from back home really may not quite understand what you are
going through. Sometimes you will need support and sometimes you will be the supporter.
4. Personally, PA school is unlike any other academic experience I have ever had. I thought I was a busy undergraduate
student being a fulltime division 1 athlete, honor student, member of various clubs, working part time…well PA
school laughed at that. Don’t be afraid to try different study strategies. I came into PA school thinking “I know how to
study”—well, what worked in undergrad may not work here.
5. If you find yourself having multiple questions every class, consider holding your thought and talking to the lecturer at
break/after class. Don’t be that kid that asks three questions RIGHT before we go on break or RIGHT before we get
out of class. And while your unique personal stories made you who you are and are why you are here today, it really
isn’t practical to share them with your classmates during every lecture.
6.
USE YOUR FACULTY! They are AWESOME and DEDICATED and here to help you! They have been in your shoes and
they are rooting for you. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t pick up a concept as quickly as others and don’t be afraid to
ask for help!
Suzzette Van-Lare, PAS-1
[email protected]
PA Class of 2016 Buddy Letter
1. First, CONGRATULATIONS! Getting into PA school is so competitive and such a stressful/challenging process, so don’t
forget to appreciate the fact that you are here. There are many who wish they could be in your shoes. Try to
remember this when you are in the midst of a triple header exam week.
2. Now, RELAX! Trust the process. You are going to feel overwhelmed but don’t stress about it. Everyone is in the same
boat.
3. Don’t forget to take time for YOU. Exercise, sleep, eat right, time with family and friends, pets, whatever you like to
do, etc. Taking care of yourself is SO important for you to be able to study and function at your best! 
4. If you are reading these letters you are obviously receiving tons of advice about stuff, but you are going to have to
figure out what works best for you. Everyone has a little bit of a different approach when it comes to note taking,
studying, organizing, and the like, so try something and if it’s not your jam, try something else!
5. That being said, I prefer Microsoft One-note to organize PowerPoint slides and take notes.
6. Some of the books are helpful, but not all of them are necessary to buy. Many can be accessed online or PDFs of
them can be downloaded. CMDT and the PANCE review books (particularly Van Rhee) are my regular favorites.
7. ACCEPT that you are not going to know or understand or feel comfortable with everything that is going on all time.
Just go with the flow! It will all begin to make sense later, and if it doesn’t you will still learn something along the
way! (even if it is just that being out of your comfort zone is good for you)
8. Be kind to your classmates. They are all going through the same process you are, and people deal with school and
stress and life differently. They will be your greatest allies and confidants if you let them. Work together. SHARE
EVERYHING!! You won’t regret it. No one is in competition with each other. You should want all of your fellow
classmates to succeed.
9. Aviator brewery in Fuquay-Varina has great wings. County Seat in Lillington also has decent food and drinks and
Trivia! There’s a Filipino market called Bitter Melon in Angier and they recently opened a restaurant. I’ll be honest,
there aren’t a lot of places to go or things to do, but there are definitely some option. Raleigh is close by (tons of
great things, contact me for details), and being out in the country really isn’t the worst!
10. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or ask for help or any advice (no matter how trivial). My email is
[email protected] and I’m happy to answer any questions or help in any way. Short bio: I am from
Raleigh, I went to Wake Forest University for undergrad, worked as an MA in dermatology for 2 years, and lived in
Angier for the first year and just recently moved back to Raleigh. Seriously. Don’t hesitate to email me or anyone!
GOOD LUCK!!! YOU GOT THIS!!! 
Best,
Diana Walker
Campbell PA Class of 2015
To the Class of 2016,
Congratulations! You should be proud of your induction into this year’s PA class! Likely, you’ll often be reminded to hang on
to the feeling of being accepted to this privileged position. I found that remembering this helped me in remaining motivated
in the classroom at the more challenging times.
Advice. Everyone has some to contribute so take it for what it’s worth. One of the best pieces of guidance that I was given
was to… sleep more. Do this. Early on, my largest challenge in disconnecting from the constant presence of the program was
being unsure of “how much studying do I have to do to be successful in PA school”. On the surface this may sound like trying
to determine the minimum level of effort to put forth. This hasn’t been the goal per se, but it has been a continual challenge
to learn how to balance school, family and anything else that may hold a place of equal importance. This is a balance that I’m
still working on perfecting. The earlier that you can get a hold on what you need to do to feel good about your own
preparation in class the more relaxed (and likely more successful) you’ll be in this program.
Another tip that I would suggest is that if you work out, don’t stop because you’re in PA school. If you don’t work out, now
would be a great time to start. This is a great way to force yourself to disengage from school for a little bit.
To the married folks: you and your spouse are on this journey together. In my home, neither my wife nor I could predict what
this really looked like beforehand. Nine months into this program, I believe that my time commitment to PA school is more
challenging on her and our children than on myself. On the days when I remember this, I end up relating better to family.
Make it a priority each day to focus on your family members and especially your spouse, apart from your children. Reaffirm
her/him that they are more important than the school which will likely monopolize the majority of your time. In my own
experience, this is more difficult to put into practice than it seems like it should be… but is of infinite worth. (Try and figure
this out earlier in your student career than I did.)
Finally, be confident in the abilities that you’ve be given that have brought you to the position of a PA Student. We’re all in
the process of learning to be better healthcare providers. This program will challenge you by placing you into
scenarios/situations that require you to make a decision and move forward. Do this with confidence.
Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions. You’ll be starting before you know it! See you soon!
Ed Wilson