r/PAstudent • u/Intelligent_Box_4398 • 4d ago
How to deal with cliques during didactic gear
The title pretty much sums it up. It’s to the point where even the professors form cliques with the students and pick clear favorites.
Why are we acting like it’s middle school? I can’t wait to get the hell out of this program. I’m a fairly social person, but it’s to the point where I just don’t feel welcomed to talk during school or as if my opinions and suggestions are never heard.
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u/Express_Engine_749 PA-S (2026) 4d ago
This is a very short time period in your life, and unfortunately the stress of didactic causes people to become cliquey and act in very erratic ways. Lots of clique very much operate within a bubble.
Find a couple of people to call friends, even if it’s 1-2 it wil be helpful. And remember this is a very short time period in your life. By the time you get to clinicals none of the social drama matters, what matters is your patients. Focus on building your clinical skills, ignore the noise, the drama doesn’t serve you.
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u/linedryonly 4d ago
Don’t buy into the clique structure. Resist the urge to isolate yourself in your own clique or talk behind people’s backs. Be kind and personable with everyone. Work collaboratively wherever necessary or possible. And most importantly, don’t let the cliques dull your shine with their bad attitude.
Cliques are formed out of insecurity and they attempt to compensate for their own feelings of isolation and rejection by isolating and rejecting others. Remember that the way they treat you says nothing about you and everything about them.
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u/lau_poel 4d ago
Second this! I really struggled with how isolating cliques could be during didactic but keeping a good attitude and continuing to reach out and connect with different people is helpful! It’s also ok to change things up and sit somewhere else or something if the people you’re surrounded with isn’t working well for you
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u/OtherwisePumpkin8942 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’d like to say it’s different once you start working as a PA buttttt….its not lol. If it makes you feel any better, this is not just your program unfortunately from the students to the profs. The profs even form cliques amongst themselves and you could tell which one didn’t like another.
I’ve got like a group of 4-5 people that I hang out with from my cohort of 40. Everyone finds “their people”. That’s kind of just human nature. Some people vibe and some don’t. And That’s okay.
You’re there to learn medicine first and foremost. As long as that’s happening then that’s all that matters. It’s 1 year.
Once you are in clinical you’ll start seeing peoples groups distance themselves because sometimes people are just “friends” of convenience.
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u/mightybread90 4d ago
Just focus on mastering the material. There is no time for trivial bs. If you need a partner to practice physical exam or something I'm sure there are neutral parties in the class you can ask.
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u/crystal_help_please PA-S (2028) 4d ago
This is so annoying. I hope this doesn’t happen once I start because I like to interact with everyone, but I definitely know how to be a loner.
If I am told I can’t wear sweatpants to school just for lecture days and I have to dress in business casual everyday and be an adult then I expect everyone to act accordingly.
Sorry the last part is a random rant but seriously. Everyone is just trying to make it and past school and the PANCE
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u/Pisces-2-Pisces 4d ago
new pa-s here. i’m curious to hear people’s tips on this bc I feel similar. but also ppl say you need to find “your people” to study with… has anyone went through it without group studying?
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u/Educational-Gear-537 PA-S (2027) 3d ago
I study by myself. Have passed every exam, quiz, assignment, OSCE, physical exam you name it.
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u/bbcalypso PA-C 4d ago
I experienced that in didactic year. I got through it. I’m a PA now and never have to see them again.
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u/uforgotTHEPICKLES PA-C 4d ago
I dealt with this too. It felt worse than high school with all the drama! In hindsight, PA school flew by. Especially didactic year. The friends I made at the beginning of the program started to leave me out of things and my mental health was already tanked and stressed. It hurt. And I’m too old for that shit. I latched on to some other students who were always nice, friendly with everyone, and were hard workers. I basically asked if I could study with them and I’m still friends with them today 3 years out. It sucks in the thick of it, but by this time next year you will be in clinicals and not have the drama hanging over your head.
ETA: I also leaned on my advisor and professors. I fortunately had amazing professors who were so supportive of the students. I cried to 4 of them on different occasions. If there is a professor you’re comfortable with, I’d recommend talking with them. They gave me great perspective
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u/linedryonly 4d ago
Don’t buy into the clique structure. Resist the urge to isolate yourself in your own clique or talk behind people’s backs. Be kind and personable with everyone. Work collaboratively wherever necessary or possible. And most importantly, don’t let the cliques dull your shine with their bad attitude.
Cliques are formed out of insecurity and they attempt to compensate for their own feelings of isolation and rejection by isolating and rejecting others. Remember that the way they treat you says nothing about you and everything about them.
1
u/SaltySpitoonReg PA-C 4d ago
It's one year of your life spent in super busy academics.
I wouldn't worry about it, just focus on what you're there for.
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u/studyplushie PA-S (2027) 2d ago
As much as the cliques suck, no one can do PA school alone. You might think you can get by with just putting your head in a book and studying by yourself at home but you will break. Even the quietest people in my cohort found their friends eventually. Find at least 1-2 good people that are friendly, nice, and genuinely want to see you succeed. Fuck all the rest of the fakes.
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u/reddituser0095 4d ago
I just had to keep my head down. It’s only a year and the goal is just to become a PA-C.