Your opinion on PTA/PT?

So I want to become a physical therapist. Seeing as i am only a freshmen in college though and I need to get on my feet I was considering becoming a physical therapist istant, then getting a job, then continuing my education in physical therapy. I need to make more money, and don't want to stay with my hostessing job, and I want to do something I enjoy. Would it be a complete waste of time to become a PTA then go forth to becoming an actual therapist? What is your opinion on what I should do?