When you’re looking for a new career, it’s smart to look into fields with good job security. Medicine is one such popular field: We’ll always need doctors.
In fact, the US faces a severe physician shortage, so there’s a push for students to go into medicine right now.
However, medical school isn’t right for everyone. Wherever there are doctors, there are teams of physician assistants and medical technicians backing them up. X-ray tech school, also known as radiology tech school or radiography school, is a great alternative to med school.
Here are seven tips to help you ace x-ray tech school.
1. Know What You’ll Learn
One of the biggest mistakes incoming radiography students make is starting school without knowing what they’re getting into. If you’re wondering how to become an x-ray tech, the truth is… It’s no walk in the park.
X-ray tech programs aren’t easy, but you’ll come out of school able to help people and will feel fulfilled by all the vital skills you’ll learn. Just a few of these include taking vital signs, radiographic positioning, pathology, the components of an x-ray machine, and common drugs and their interactions.
2. Sharpen Your Study Skills
As a radiography student, you have a lot to learn, and you won’t learn it well without studying. Cramming right before every test won’t do it here. Even if it did, we’re talking about learning to become a medical technician. That wouldn’t be fair to your patients!
Try new methods and find an organized study strategy that works for you. Set up a comfortable workstation in a quiet place, and set aside dedicated study time. Don’t be shy: Study groups are an excellent way to keep up in class!
3. Practice Self-Control
Because you have a lot of work to do in radiology tech school, you’re not going to have much time to goof around. Some people treat higher education as one big spring break party, but if you want to do well in radiography school, you can’t party much.
Cut back on the Hulu binging, junk food, substance use, and other indulgences. You can still have fun as a radiography student, but it’s time to grow up and learn some restraint if you really want to shine in your classes.
4. Take Care of Yourself
While you need to cut down on partying, that doesn’t mean you should ignore your need to relieve stress, relax, and enjoy your life. Here are some tips on how to balance work and play.
First off, don’t beat yourself up over your grades. If you flunk a quiz, there’s nothing you can do except to talk to your professor about what you did wrong and study to do better next time.
Try planning out your week, and setting aside a day you don’t have any obligations to hang out with friends, party, and adventure. Take a little time every day to de-stress, too, and make regularly buying yourself a little something nice, like a cup of coffee, a habit.
You’re studying to help keep others healthy, so don’t neglect your health! Eat a balanced diet and take vitamins as needed, make sure to get enough exercise, and stay on top of your own medical and dental care.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
We’ve all had those moments: You’re sitting in class, listening to the teacher lecture, and at some point, you realize that you’re completely lost. It may not have been so important to figure out what the teacher was saying in your high school history class, but your x-ray technician classes are the time to speak up and ask questions to clarify.
On the flip side, you’ve probably also had times when you had something you really wanted to say, but you weren’t confident enough to raise your hand. Don’t be afraid!
Know that any contribution is useful. Even if what you say isn’t “right,” the class will learn from what you have to say and how the professor and your classmates respond to it.
6. Always Go to Office Hours
No matter how much you try to jump in and ask questions and make comments during class, there are always going to be times when you miss the chance to jump in or there isn’t enough time for you to talk. That doesn’t mean that you have to give up and forget about it!
Office hours are meant for you to talk with your instructors about those things, so take advantage of them! This is a great way for you to get a leg up in your academics.
7. Find an Internship
One excellent way to get ahead in rad tech school is to get a feel for the job through an internship. While you won’t be practicing, of course, you’ll be able to figure out whether the profession is right for you.
Unfortunately, many internships are unpaid, so it’s not an option for everyone. If you have the time and energy, though, it’s something to consider!
Considering a New Career as an X-Ray Tech?
Many Americans are on the hunt for employment right now, and it’s a good time to set your sights on something new. Working towards a career as an x-ray tech is no piece of cake, but it’s a noble pursuit.
If you aren’t sure whether becoming a radiology tech is for you, or try it and find that it’s not, explore our site for more career ideas. You won’t get bored with all of the options available to you!
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