Radiology Forums

smrtrose · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 4 Location: apache junction, az

I am a new rad tech student at CAC in apache junction, az. The program is pretty much brand new at the college and I'm super excited to start in the Spring of 2009! Any advice for me about making it through the program, I hear from alot of people that it can be pretty stressful Confused

TheXrayGourmet · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 33

First off, Congrats!! It is very stressful. But it can be done. If you have free time, I would brush up on your Anatomy. I got all of my books a few months before class started and just read the first chapter or so in each book to give me a little head start. Once you are in the program you will be so busy you cannot even breathe! My program is 2 days at school all day and the other 3 at hospital all day. It leaves little time for studying, so any headstart you can give yourself I say do it! Good luck to you! Smile

Randythetech · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 11

REPOSTED FROM PREVIOUS THREAD--

I don't know if this is the universal textbook of RTs or not, but purchasing and practicing from Merrill's will be a lifesaver. A LIFESAVER. Find out what positioning book you'll be studying from and buy it NOW.

Here are a few sites online to study up on prior to entering the program:

http://www.studystack.com/studystack-14582

http://www.studystack.com/studystack-48689

For a brief explanation of some of the acronyms you'll encounter:

SID-Source Image Distance
KvP-Kilovolts Peak
mAs-milliamperes/second
OID-Object Image Distance

Get an understanding of the applied physics now, as it will need to become second nature later on.

Even if it's a foreign language to you (which some of it quite literally will be,) you'll find the earlier coursework so much easier to deal with, as laws, terms and otherwise'll be familiar to you.

The XRay Gourmet is right about anatomy. know it well.

lmh47 · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 18 Location: jacksonville fl

yeah just brush up on anatomy. I never really applied my self in highschool or even college, but in this program it seems because i want to learn and its so interesting, that it just comes natural to learn and do good.
I dont think its as stressful as everyone says but i am only in my 3rd month so im sure its coming. But i go to school, which is hospital based, from 7am-3pm and then work from 5pm-11pm everyday and have a husband and a house to deal with, so its not that bad. You just have to manage your time.

I know this is stupid, but i make mental notes with anatomy to remember them.. for example: ( im sure you will never forget: MIDSAGGITAL
is MIDSAG to the VAG. - kinda gross but it sticks.

i asked the same questions too, about what should i study for bc i felt so hopeless not learning anything, but you will have enough to learn when you get in, dont stress your self out.

Its an awesome program and you will love it.\
congrats getting in!!!!!

papa · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

i'd say you need to sit back and relax a bit. stressing out over things is what messes a lot of people up. i agree with all the suggestions here, that you may want to just review your anatomy, find your positioning book, etc.. but most importantly, relax.

relax while you can. the radiology program can be intense at times, and you'll need to go into it with an open and clear mind.

hope this helps, good luck, and welcome to radiology
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