Almost three years ago, I started my first day of pharmacy school at the University of South Carolina and I had no idea of what I was getting myself into. I just knew that pharmacy was my passion and my dream for so many years that I was willing to do the work to get to my end goal. But nobody told me that during my time at school, my drive and enthusiasm would waver under the stress and pressure that comes with being in an intense grad program.
And as the years have truly flown by, I’ve been able to thankfully still enjoy my field and can’t wait to get out into the world as a brand-new pharmacist. In this blog post, we’re going to be talking about how to stay motivated while in pharmacy school and the realization that everyone is going to need a pick-me-up sooner or later.
Tip #1: Remember your purpose
Being in the healthcare field, I’m drawn to helping others and I strive to inspire my community to achieve greatness. Whenever I’m feeling down or that I’m not good enough, I remember why I’m doing this, what my purpose is, and that I’m here in this position for a reason. This really helps me center myself and helps me get back on the beaten path. I highly recommend writing down your purpose and/or goals in your phone or in your journal, somewhere where you’ll see it on a regular basis.
Tip #2: Get involved with campus life
The best part about pharmacy school is the community and union that is built in the program with your fellow students. I guess it’s because you all are going through the same struggles and hardships but regardless, they are some of your best allies when it comes to finding your mojo back. I love being a part of my student organizations on campus, even the non-pharmacy related ones, because they give me an outlet to relieve some of my built-up stress.
I’m currently involved with SNPhA (Student National Pharmaceutical Sciences) and ACCP (American College of Clinical Pharmacy) at my school, both of which allow me to interact with the community and my fellow classmates. Something that I truly value and enjoy.
Tip #3: Learn a new hobby or take an adventure every once in awhile
Growing up as a military child definitely left me feeling a little bit of wanderlust, which basically means that I yearn to travel the world and set out on new adventures. But unfortunately, my college budget and time restrictions don’t allow me much time to travel the way that I want to. No worries though because Titi and I have a few ideas and trips planned for this year that I am super pumped about and Ava, our pit rescue, might be tagging along for some of them.
Back in 2017, I started this blog as a creative outlet and as a new hobby that I wanted to master. This blog has been a great stress-reliever for me and allows me to take a break from my normal packed study days to just simply create and write. Now you may not want to start a blog or travel the world like me, but you can still step out of your comfort zone and take on a new challenge. You could learn a new language, take a boxing class, or take a road trip to see a city nearby. Find something that you enjoy and that allows you to step away from the textbooks and live in the moment. Because that’s what life is about living in the moment and living your best life every single day.
Tip #4: Find your support group that lifts you up
For me, my biggest supporters are my family (aka my mom and dad-shout out to you guys for being the best!) and my boyfriend. Whenever I’m going through a rough time in school or just need some inspiration to keep pushing forward, I can always call them or have a chat with them. They each push me to the best that I can be while giving me the inspirational words and stories that keep me going.
Going through pharmacy school, you need a support group whether that be your parents, your loved ones, or your best friends from high school. Keep the most important people in your life in your corner, close enough to touch, so that you never forget why you’re in pharmacy school and what your purpose is.
Tip #5: Remember this chapter will eventually end.
As anything in life, this chapter (aka your time in pharmacy school) will end. I know that this sounds crazy because it seems like time slows down when you’re in school, but I promise it’ll be over in a blink of an eye. I love setting a countdown on my phone to remind me that I’m almost to the finish line and that I just have to keep pushing. Trust me, I know pharmacy school is hard and it’s not a lot of fun, but it’s a just chapter in your storybook. Are you ready for the next one?
Even though I wish I could tell you that I’m motivated every single day to study for hours and to work on group projects, it’s really not my reality. I have those weeks where life just really sucks, and I’ve had to learn over the years about how to pick myself back up from those. It’s not about where you begin, but where you end? Am I right?
You may also like: The Subtle Art of Acing Your Pharmacy Rotations From the First Day, What to Do if You Fail a Class in Pharmacy School, and 5 Lessons I Learned in My Third Year in Pharmacy School
