Probably the biggest thing I wanted to accomplish with SIMPLY was a complete merge of medical school and social media. Sounds funny I know.
I wanted to show those who felt that doing both was impossible, that it actually isn't. And at the same time I'm trying to inspire. I want to provide valuable insight into the growing health care//pharmacy world from a Nigerian American fashion, makeup, and music loving millennial female who just so happens to be on her way up.
You can do both if you really want to. Choosing one life doesn't mean hanging up another (at least not entirely)
Basically this past year, on my different media outlets, I would ever so often update those following me of all the struggle moments, extremely happy moments, and generally content moments. Just as a small reminder of my existence and show that my head was still above water.
Now that I've finished my P1 year (first year) of pharmacy school.. I felt that compiling a list of some 'frequently asked' questions along with their answers right here for you would be an awesome idea. Hopefully it helps!
I'm going to try my best in giving short and sweet responses, so bare with me and feel free to shoot an email if you need more details or personal advice. I'll leave an address at the bottom.
ONE) So far is pharmacy school hard?
Ok the the heavy hitter first. Is pharmacy school hard? You know I can't answer this in a way that fits everyone. My first year of pharmacy school was a lot. A lot of information, a lot of laughs, a lot of frustration, a lot of tears, a lot of second guessing myself when I shouldn't (especially on those exams), a lot new friendships, and overall a lot of "wow, am I really here"
Coming straight in from undergrad I actually found adapting and going through the motions quite easy. I considered it just the fifth year out of my expected total of seven (4 undergrad + 3 professional). And the material merely felt like a minor step up from the science courses I finished taking a year prior..
Of course not everyone gets it that way. To others this is a wild run back to school maybe from gap years they took off or even after starting a family.. this could be a dad's new start and a change of career path. I feel like it's been different for me, as it should be because everyone's different of course; I've adjusted some studying, time management, and financial habits but honestly it hasn't been terrible
TWO) Do you have any study tips that worked well for you?
One thing I can say about studying whether you're in graduate/professional school or still in undergrad is that you've got to to find out works best for you and stick to it. It's easy to float between different routines especially if you see them grant success to your classmates but stick to what you know and don't try to force a new one to work. There are a multitude of different and at times unique study methods out there and hopefully by graduate school you have your own down or remember it.. but if not there's always somewhere to start. Find out your how you learn best right here
For me.. studying usually happens in two parts. There's the individual and then with time the group. Every two weeks our class takes an exam so if possible I take the first week to myself and the second week to have a least one more person bounce off of til that Friday. Not all topics require the same amount of rigor and not all ... yada yada I believe I wrote this some where (THESE ARENT STUDY TIPS ) but ultimately that's been my process.
THREE) In your opinion, did undergrad prep you well before the program?
Yessssss and no to be frank. Did undergrad prepare me in the sense of material --yea. Like I said at lot of what was learned was built upon my previous A&P, biochemistry courses. The first 1/3 of the year was more or less a biochemistry refresher round with little pharmacy focused additives sprinkled on top. Instead of only memorizing the TCA cycle it was memorize the TCA cycle and remember G6PD deficiency occurs in some people which leads to ____, ____, and ____...
Did undergrad prepare me on how to study? Well I was luckily one of the kids that didn't have to really crack down on a course until my very last year. So if it weren't for that particular year before pharmacy school I would be saying no. I barely learned to study before coming out of there. Did undergrad prepare me regarding balance? That's kind of iffy. I feel like gaining balance isn't something you prepare for. I usually size up what's in front of me when it's in front of me and adjust accordingly.
There were a few things my undergrad prepared me for however some you just take the bull by the horns on
FOUR) Are you still glad you went accelerated?
Yes I am. My thoughts on the course load and retention will have to fit in another post but I'm still where I was last year in my feelings about this school. Sure the amount of material thrown at first can be extremely overwhelming and it was definitely tough and stressful but for me adaptation didn't take long. It's not too bad. Learning to get used to the 90% Pass/No Pass system, every other week rotation then exams.. it all becomes the life you chose at the end of the day. At least that's where my head is at
FIVE) What were the IPPE rotations like?
You know, I'd be lying if I said I loved them. It's best for me to be completely transparent and get it out. The schedules we subscribed to changed like mad during the school year but the idea was every other week (on Fridays) IPPE then exam IPPE then exam. I've shadowed, I've volunteered; I've also worked in retail.. But during school especially as the course level got harder having to work in a retail pharmacy for an 8 hour unpaid shift got old real fast. Like I said I'm going to be transparent, some people enjoyed the "time off" but me not so much. All we had to do was go once a week and I had WalMart (they kept me levelheaded) but this summer I rotated over to Walgreens for 40 hours a week :) I guess it all depends on you/the individual and what you can handle.
SIX) How would you rate your stress level for the year?
On a scale to 10.. 8.5
It's graduate school for that alone it should be stressful. Then to add "3 years - accelerated program - mastery learning system - 90% Pass/No Pass - 5 summers and you're withdrawn"
Yea it should be stressful. But it's doable. And for most it's worth it
SEVEN) Which course was the roughest for you personally?
Hmmmm. P1 went through so many concepts biochemistry review.. how to conduct clinical trials, neuropharmacology, immunology, compounding technique, PK/PD, insurance.. that's barely a dent in the list. I'd say the hardest bit for me was ANTIBIOTICS. Anything that had to do with the dreaded phrase select all that apply / choose all that apply and the habit of me second guessing myself. That was our entire antibiotic block. Prepping us for board style questions but I hated it. Dealing with spectrum coverage on a select all that apply question. It's a get it all correct or zero deal in this game and that was something I struggled with constantly. Outside of that topic too honestly.
Major key** Keep focused** You won't second guess yourself**
EIGHT) How did you balance free time?
It may seem like a lot of us (or maybe just I) have it together and balanced. I don't. Honestly, truly. I'm still dabbling in the time management and balance business --and although it gets discouraging I can't come here breaking down. I know full blown adults who are still struggling with this so I can't complain as long as I'm happy and healthy and for the most part I am
NINE) Do you recommend working and school?
First and foremost do you think you can handle work and school? Can't emphasize enough everybody is different.
Understandably in many cases a job would be necessary.. when it comes to pharmacy in particular there's also the experience angle to it. While in pharmacy school you can work as an intern pharmacist adding to your school knowledge; your top 200 and counseling points. Thinking into the future you could possibly secure positions in that company you work for if you do well. Especially while in school that looks AMAZING on a CV/resume.
Time constraints might make you hesitant on the topic but there are pharmacies flexible enough with interning hours. This is something I hope to pursue within the next year, fingers crossed
TEN) Could you talk about set backs?
Set backs are inevitable. I'll remind that at my school we take exams. That's our life. Every two weeks it's another uphill climb and many of us struggle. There are a number of strikes and you're out of the program so that adds to the level of stress.. and you witness people go. You start out with White Coat ceremony your class is one huge number and come May the end of the school year there's a loss. It humbles you, the missed points humble you, the retakes humble you.. but if it were easy everyone would be here. You take the highs with the lows they come together and there's no bypassing it..
Alright that's it. Guess I lied looking back I wrote paragraphs down as answers. But one thing to kind of echo and sum up before I go is that everyone's experience will come off differently. This is my take away from the first year and the top questions I get asked. Thank you all for the support in my specific journey because I really do appreciate it!
Here's my email amaracheee.info@gmail.com
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