“It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.” – John Steinbeck
As a graduate student in the School of Physician Assistant Studies, it would be simple for me to discuss and cite the thousands of peer-reviewed articles that display evidence on how adequate sleep enhances cognitive and physical performance, memory consolidation, immune health, and frankly the list goes on and on, but that would be boring. You will be doing plenty of evidence-based practice reviews the following year, so let’s make this fun! I would rather discuss the three most important reasons for me and why I found sleep a vital piece of my study routine.
Attention and Focus: Certain tests, simulations, class days, and patient assessments require more attention and focus than others.
During your day-to-day studies, you may find yourself overwhelmed frequently. On top of that, each day will have a schedule, due dates, meetings, and appointments that must be completed. Some days will have very little; others will be so full you feel like you have no time, but will always have time to exercise, study, and sleep. YES, I said it, you will always have time to sleep, and I promise it will come in handy when you sleep an adequate amount. Now I won’t say you will get your full eight every night but be sure to avoid depriving yourself. In the long run, it will do wonders for your attention and focus, especially on days that require it more than others. Specific exams, assessments, and simulations will require you to recall information from previous modules, and I can say from personal experience this is much harder when you are exhausted and not well-rested.
The Big Picture: Sometimes, things make more sense after a night of rest.
As stated above, when you are required to recall past information or add new information to the mix, you may become overwhelmed. A good night’s rest is sometimes all you need to put together the last pieces of the puzzle. Don’t get me wrong, in medicine, the picture is never fully painted, but at the end of the day, as PA students, we are trying to do the best we can by looking at the big picture. Whenever I find myself confused or slightly mixed up at the end of the night, rather than getting lost in the details I try to stop and sleep on it and see if I can make more sense of it when I wake up. Some of my classmates choose to take naps, and that works for them. You will have to figure out what adequate sleep means to you but trust me, you will always have time for it!
BURNOUT: Yes, it will happen, but having the proper coping mechanisms in place when it does can be the key to saving your sanity.
EVERYONE experiences burnout at some point in didactic year. While time of onset, severity and length will vary greatly from person to person, it is still very scary. So what do you do when this time comes for you? I don’t have a universal answer, but having the proper coping mechanisms can make a huge difference. Exercise, a healthy diet, a good friend, or family member to talk to, and adequate sleep are the keys to surviving this period of time. As PA students, mentors, and advisors, we are frequently asked how we have time for everything. The honest response is we don’t. We must sacrifice certain events, birthdays, and holidays, but you will always need to create time for yourself, and sleep is a big part of that. In retrospect, the PA program here at MBKU is a short amount of time at 27 months; it is a tiny blip of your life. If there is ever a time in your life to be selfish, this is it. This 27-month program serves as the foundation of your profession for the rest of your life and is an investment in yourself and your future. Why not try to get the most out of it?
You will have to figure out what works best for you! Still, if you get adequate sleep every night and truly make it a habit, you will be setting yourself up for success during your time in school and later for later on in your career. I have classmates who pull “all-nighters”, and show up to exams looking like zombies, and I have seen them crash after. Then there are those who prioritize sleep are doing just as well, if not better, and are much more rested and refreshed while doing so. Ultimately the choice is yours, but aren’t we all continuing our medical education to help other people? Why not use this knowledge to help yourself! I wish you the best of luck in the coming year, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!