Tacky Christmas Sweater Party

It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's almost Christmas, and what better way to celebrate than with a Tacky Christmas Sweater Party?! School can get a little stressful around the holidays with final exams and wrapping up the semester, but taking a break from studying to dress up in your tackiest Christmas attire and hang out with friends is such a great stress reliever. Many pharmacy students did just that at this year's PCSP Holiday Party. There were tons of awesome tacky sweaters and lots of great food. What could be better? MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Markie

P3 - Class of 2016

Operation Christmas Child

One of the things I love about PC School of Pharmacy is our motto, "While we live, we serve." It's so great to see our school give back in different ways, but my favorite is through Operation Christmas Child. You may have heard of Operation Christmas Child before, but if you haven't it is organized by Samaritan's Purse every year in an effort to reach out to children all over the world who otherwise may not receive anything for Christmas or may not learn about the true meaning of Christmas. All you have to do is fill a shoebox with items that a child may need or want for Christmas. These items can range from toys to stuffed animals to clothing. PCSP holds a collection week each year to allow students to participate. We always have such a great turnout and everyone has a lot of fun packing shoeboxes for children in need!

Markie

P3 - Class of 2016

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

This definitely describes my life in more ways than one right now. First off, we are closing in on another semester, and Christmas break is right around the corner. Just a few more exams and we will be free! Secondly, as I am in my P3 year, I can see the academic portion of my pharmacy school career coming to a close, as I only have one more semester of “schoolwork” before moving on to 9 months of rotations during my P4 year. While this is an exciting time, it is also a little bittersweet, as I have truly loved my time here at Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy. I have learned more than I ever thought possible, made lifelong friends and served the community in many different ways. It can be tempting to always be thinking toward the future, especially in pharmacy school when so many of our friends have already moved on to jobs and other endeavors, but my advice would be to enjoy the ride….When you are standing in my shoes, you will be glad that you savored those moments, and realize that each of them prepared you to be the best pharmacist that you can be. So while there is a light at the end of the tunnel that I am happy to see, I am just as happy to say that I enjoyed the time that it took me to get there.

Jenny

P3 - Class of 2016 

Appropriate Time Scheduling Techniques

This time of year school gets very hectic as the semester is winding down and we begin to prepare for finals.  Everyone is on edge, while calculating what they need to make on their exams to get a certain grade in the class, reviewing old exams, and studying during every chance of free time we get.  This time of the semester is bittersweet to me as I prepare to move further in my pharmacy school career and become closer to graduation.  So as I begin planning my schedule for finals, I make sure to write each final and its time in my agenda, then I try to plan around that for when I will study and what I will study.  It becomes tricky when you have so many finals, but time management is key during the end of a busy semester.  I also make sure to save a little free time for myself because you cannot spend all of your time studying or else you will get burnt out very easily.  When preparing for finals it really is up to the individual student to find what works best for them and helps them stay on top of their work, but for me I have found what works best which I shared with you.  My schedule allows me to study hard, enjoy myself, and time with my friends before we all head home after exams are over.

Sara

P2 - Class of 2017

Shadowing/Working in a Pharmacy

I think a pretty common question that’s asked when making the decision to come to pharmacy school is whether or not you need pharmacy experience before coming. The beautiful thing about it is that you don’t have to have any pharmacy experience coming in to be successful. While pharmacy experience will definitely help you out with drug names and being familiar with the set-up of a pharmacy, it doesn’t guarantee pharmacy school will be a walk in the park. With each class, there will be some who have years of pharmacy experience and others who have never stepped foot behind a pharmacy counter before. Both have equal opportunity to be successful in school! So if you are thinking about pharmacy school but have no pharmacy experience, don’t let that stop you! Come! With hard work and dedication, you will be fine. If you have pharmacy experience, that’s great! You come too! You will be successful as well with hard work and dedication.

Aurezu

P2 - Class of 2017

Christmas Break

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” We are simultaneously at an end of a calendar year but in the middle of a school year. We have survived fall semester! Whether you are in your last year of undergrad before pharmacy school, working while you wait for pharmacy school to start, or are currently a student at PCSP, congratulations on getting one step closer to your future career as a pharmacist. We should all be proud of how far we have come, and take this time at the end of the calendar year to be grateful for those who have supported us on this journey, and to make goals for the New Year. I am going to enjoy spending every minute of my break with my daughters, husband, and family. We plan to do every cheesy Christmas tradition we can pack into three weeks. And I am secretly asking Santa for some snow. A personal goal for me, academically, is that I plan to enjoy my time off, but then “hit the ground running” when classes start in the spring and procrastinate less. How about you guys? Are you going to partake in any Christmas traditions? Do you have any goals set for the New Year?

Nicole

P1 - Class of 2018

Preparing for Finals

It’s that time of year again!  Yep, that’s right, finals will soon be here.  Although this time of year can be very stressful, it is important to remain focused and collected.  The thing that keeps me level headed is starting to study earlier.  Studying a little bit every day helps me with recalling it when “cramming” for the last week before finals.  The more I keep up with my studies, the easier I find studying for finals to be.  Studying is the most important thing, but sleep, a well balanced diet, and having an outlet to get away from the stress are also extremely necessary.  So let’s not forget to recharge and fuel our brain properly before hours upon hours of hitting the books. Stress is a good thing at times for motivation, but there are moments when I just need to step away from it all to get my head straight.  A quick study break of Super Smash Bros usually does the trick for me.  Another thing to remember is that after all the hard work of the semester and finals are over, we have our well deserved winter break waiting for us. Happy studying all!

Ryan

P2 – Class of 2017

Friends for Life

Coming in to pharmacy school I knew that it was going to change my life in the career aspect, but I had no idea how much my life would change overall. This will be my third and final year at PC in the sense of going to class with the same people everyday. Those people that I met on the very first day of orientation have become four of my best friends. I started pharmacy school nervous and not knowing what to expect, but the first day when I met Shanna, Allie, Jenny and Caleb I knew it was going to be ok; little did I know these four would become my confidants, my support team, my stress relievers, and have parts in my wedding. I’m a firm believer that you have to have people in your life that know the stress you’re under and what you’re going through, I think it’s critical in having a successful pharmacy school career. When you go to school everyday and you always have a test or a quiz or a project it’s very easy to forget that you need a break from it, whether it be a quick dinner or a fall break trip.  You have to have a break or you’ll get burnt out very quickly. Having people that have the same things going on and understand your lifestyle makes it much easier to have those dinners and trips. Everybody always talks about stress and time management but you also have to make time for fun and friends, and I’m so thankful I met mine in pharmacy school. So my advice for starting pharmacy school is to meet people and form bonds that you can have not only for pharmacy school but also for life.

Amber

P3 – Class of 2016

Stress Management Strategies

School can be stressful at times. Managing this stress is a work in progress, no matter if you’re a ‘type A’ individual or someone who works on impulse. Over the years, I have developed a system for managing the stressful moments that come with life in general; more specifically pharmacy school. Next time you are stressed, these hints and tips may help you too J

1.      Get enough sleep!—I really cannot stress this enough. Each night (especially before a big test) I set an alarm for myself and say ‘Ok, whatever I don’t know by this time, I just won’t know’ and it works. This way, my brain knows that we have until this hour to get whatever we need to get done, done. Right before a big exam this is especially important. You’d be surprised what you can retain with that extra hour of sleep!

2.      Do what you enjoy. Don’t feel like you have to give up things like TV and exercising just because you’ve been told that’s the ‘right way to handle things’ . You can do any hobby you’d like, you just have to prioritize your time. Find out what parts of your day you are spending the most time and cut that out. Five minutes can make all the difference---Which brings me to my next point….

3.      Manage your time. I find that writing out an actual itinerary works for me. For those who aren’t as ‘type A’ I would suggest making a mental list of all the things of all the things that you’d like to get done.

4.      Reach out.  9 times out of 10 the person sitting right next to you is feeling just as stressed out an overwhelmed as you are, if not more. I found that joining study groups worked for it and me helped out a lot to have my professors there, ready to help if need be.

5.      Last but not least remember---Rome wasn’t built in a day. If there is a task that can’t get accomplished exactly when you’d like, it ‘s okay! Try your best to plan ahead of time to make up for the inevitable times when things just so happen to come up.

Danielle

P2 - Class of 2017

Studying is Essential

Remember the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well pharmacy school kind of runs on the same formula except the saying would be, “Studying everyday keeps the bad grades away.” Studying every day is an essential way to be successful in pharmacy school. I know I had to learn to stay on top of things. My first year of pharmacy school, I had to plan everything out week by week to make sure that the tasks for the week ahead were done the week before. My way to accomplish these tasks was to keep an agenda handy, a written one and mind one. This way you will not get overwhelmed with the coursework that comes your way and any unexpected events that may occur. Throughout my career at Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy so far, I have studied every day to make sure I am ready for the exams. Overall, staying on top of things has helped me reduce the stress, be more prepared, and have adequate study time.

Le

P2 - Class of 2017 

Pharmacy Student Thanksgiving

Patrick, checking in! Thank you for reading my blogs thus far. I am now at my 3^rd year of pharmacy school and feeling a little closer to the finish line.

Thanksgiving… Huh? This time of year you think about the biggest meal of the fall semester. I view it as the pre-game to Fat Tuesday in the Spring. I am not here to talk about food or gluttony, but what you might expect during your thanksgiving as a pharmacy student. My first thanksgiving in pharmacy school, I have stayed here in Clinton, South Carolina. This was my first thanksgiving away from home. During this time, there were either assignments and/or exams that put me in a hold for traveling back. How many of us have been there before? My home is in Florida and it takes about an 8 hour trip. Home was a little further away than most student families who live here in the state locally. While in Clinton, I went to two thanksgivings. The first thanksgiving meal was with a classmate’s family who lives in Columbia. I enjoyed my time there. The atmosphere felt a little touch of home. There were insides jokes shared around and I had no clue about it but laughed sincerely. I stayed with them the first half of the day. I then traveled back from Columbia to Clinton. As soon I reached my room, I instantly passed out for a few hours. I was invited to my second thanksgiving with peers, which was hosted at their apartment in Clinton. Let’s say, I almost passed out at their place but kept my composure just enough to crawl back into my bed.   

My thanksgiving in my second year in pharmacy school was a last minute idea. I thought I was planning to hibernate for the break to recharge from the fast pace and mountain high assignments throughout the semester. This time around though, I spent it in Florida. Where does the last minute come in? It all started with a question from my roommate. He asked what I was planning to do for thanksgiving break after classes. I told him that I planned to sleep the entire weekend and not leave from the bed and do some reading on upcoming material. I had told my family ahead of time that I would be staying in South Carolina. Then it just hit me. I decided it was a perfect opportunity to surprise them. I packed some clothes and books in my backpack and drove without a second thought. I am glad to have made that drive. I completely psyched my family out. Just imagine it is around 10PM and your garage opens. They are not expecting their son to come back from an 8 hour trip until winter break. Oh… I got them good. I am sure deep inside they appreciated the surprise. I saw their expressions then after the warm hugs and exchanges of words over tea, I knew I made the right decision to go and surprise them. At the end of the day, I passed out after eating great home cooked food.

This year, I am planning to do the same and surprise them. It has been setup too perfectly. My family has already assumed that I will be spending time in South Carolina studying for the upcoming exam. Oh, just you wait.

This is Patrick signing off!

Patrick

P3 - Class of 2016 

Chili Cookoff/Cornhole Tournament

Every year our organizations put on a fundraiser to raise money for our chosen philanthropy.  This year one of the organizations, SSHP, hosted a chili cook-off/cornhole tournament to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville, SC.  This event is always such a good time! Any student in the school is eligible to enter into the chili cook-off.  The chili is then judged by professors, and the winner receives a giftcard.  The cornhole tournament is really fun….. and competitive!  The winner of the tournament wins a set of PC cornhole boards!  How awesome is that?  These events are a really great way to have fun with your classmates, as well as faculty, outside of the classroom.  One thing that really makes Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy different from other school is the family bond we have with one another and the heart of service we have.   It’s really gratifying raising funds for a special philanthropy, especially while hanging out and having fun with your school family.

Lindsey

P3 – Class of 2016

“The” Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy makes every effort to prepare us to be superb pharmacists upon graduation.  One way to accomplish this is by fulfilling Competency XI, the advancement of pharmacy and health care, which also incorporates the attendance of a professional meeting.  I have had the opportunity to attend the Educational Conference (Nexus) held by the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) which is a national pharmacy organization.  During the meeting there are numerous discussions regarding the fundamentals of the pharmacy profession and the role that pharmacist can play in managing the health-care of our patients.  Additionally, there are opportunities for networking and attending residency showcases with current residents and residency directors.   

As a growing health-care professional, the experience has given me more insight on the vast array of disciplines in the pharmacy profession as well as a perspective on the progressing role of the pharmacist.  Historically, the role of the pharmacist has been “masked” behind the counter without much of an offer to counsel patients.  As pharmacists, we know that the profession is moving in a direction in which more patient interaction and communication with other health-care professionals are essential!     

     

One question you may be asking yourself, “How will I have time to attend a professional meeting and keep up with the demands of my classes?”  The answer is time management and to identify the importance of networking!  Pharmacy is such a small profession and networking is designed to build trusting relationships that will help with personal and professional growth as a pharmacist.  With my networking experiences, I understand that pharmacists are able to serve as information resources for the patient and other health-care professionals; and in doing so it will improve the health of patients by helping them to live longer and healthier lives.

Krystal

P3 - Class of 2016

How to Manage Stress

While you may experience some stressful times throughout your pharmacy school program, there are many ways to help manage stress and it is all up to which works the best for you.

If you are an animal lover like myself, a pet is always a good way to manage stress.  My two cats have become my study buddies and always find a way to brighten my day.  They also provide good study breaks whether they want to play during their witching hour or just want to lay by your side while you watch a good movie. 

There are many organizations here at PCSP and with the abundance of events, there is always a way to get involved and spend time with your peers outside of the classroom.  Some examples of events include, drug take back day, a low country boil, March on Health 5k, and Thornwell’s Halloween Carnival.  It is nice to participate in events such as these because they are a wonderful way to help the community. 

Fall is my favorite time of year here in South Carolina and if you love the leaves changing as much as I do, a nice hike is another way to help manage stress.  By getting involved you will meet others with similar interests and getting a group together to escape school for a bit is always helpful. 

While we are all here to learn and become the best pharmacists we can be, it is okay to take some time out for yourself and help manage your stress level.  If for some reason you are having trouble with finding what works best for you, there is always someone to talk to.  Everyone here at PCSP is wonderful, from faculty to students, we are all here to help J

Nicole

P2 - Class of 2017

Learning from Near not Afar

I

magine having professors lecture to you from another campus. Think of everything that could go wrong. You may not be able to hear the professor very well or get the chance to ask questions over the material as it’s being covered. Well luckily for us here at PCSP, we don’t have to worry about that. One of the reasons I chose to come to PCSP was because we don’t participate in any type of distant learning. All of our professors are here in the classrooms with us every day. Our professors are receptive to any questions we have during class, and if we happen to run out of time they welcome us to come to their office to go over the material while it’s still fresh on our minds. I can’t imagine dealing with a professor who isn’t onsite because it means we have to rely on technology. I like being able to write down questions on the side of my notes and then asking the professor all my questions at once. Another good thing about the way we are taught here at PCSP is that our lectures are recorded. This way, if we miss something that was said in class we can always play back our online lectures to get what we missed. I love that our classes aren’t solely based on technology, but instead the technology is here to aid us. 

Marilyn 

P2 - Class of 2017

Should I Go to a National Convention?

The answer is yes!  This year I went to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) National Convention, in Austin, Texas, October 18^th-22^nd.  It was the best decision I could have made.  Going to a national convention is a great way to represent your school.  By presenting a poster or participating in a national competition, you are able to network with other professionals, as well as grow personally and professionally.  Attending a national convention is a great way to learn.  There were several group sessions that one could go to; the sessions I attended were Drug Abuse, Alternative Medicine, and Education Adherence, which are all so important within the pharmacy profession.  I was able to go to a Meet & Mingle with women and was able to receive several business cards to contact them if I ever needed anything.  If you are ever in doubt of going on a convention, just think of all the great things you have to gain.

Paige

P3 - Class of 2016 

Hitting the Links with the Professors

This past fall break, PCSP hosted its first annual golf tournament at a local golf course, The Links at Stony Point in Greenwood.  It featured over 16 teams, many which were comprised of those affiliated with the school in some form.  All the money that was raised went towards a scholarship fund for the pharmacy school.

I myself played in the tournament with a classmate, upper classman, and an employee of the golf course.  It was an all-day affair that consisted of lunch, the tournament, and post play celebrations.  They presented trophies to the winning team, longest drive, and closest to the pin.  The course’s pro was also involved in the tournament as a par 3 challenger.  Overall, it was a great event that allowed professors and students to interact with one another outside of school as grown adults.

Dylan

P2 - Class of 2017

Research as a Pharmacy Student

As a third year student, I have realized the importance and significance of conducting research. Research plays a vital role in contributing to new discoveries and the advancement of health care. At PCSP, we have many faculty members who conduct research in both the clinical sciences and basic sciences. I have had the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a research project regarding the Human Papillomavirus 16.

The objective of my project was to investigate and observe the integration status of the virus into the human genome. After doing this, I was given the task of correlating the information to clinical samples we obtained from a local hospital.  Ultimately, this would help us to identify which patients were diagnosed appropriately with a pre-cancerous state, resulting from the viral integration.

By engaging in research with a faculty member, I was able to develop research skills and gain a better understanding of how research is conducted. After concluding my research project, I had the ability to create a research poster and present my data at a local conference. Furthermore, I have developed a relationship with my mentor which will help guide me through my pharmacy career.

I encourage you to be involved in research, even if that is not what you desire to do post-graduation. Research exposes you to other areas of pharmacy and provides you with additional education that you do not learn inside the classroom. I have gained experience, knowledge, and a mentor all which can only continue to benefit me during my time as a student. Plus, research is fun!

Arathi

P3-Class of 2016

5 Reasons to be Thankful for Pharmacists

Pharmacists are often first in line or last in providing medication therapy for patients.  Prior to receiving a diagnosis from a physician, many patients first seek pharmacists for over the counter products for prevention and for therapy regimens.  They are also the last health care professionals in contact with a patient to medication therapy and health wellness.  Whether first or last, pharmacists are vital health care professionals in the health care system.  They are sometimes workers behind the scene and undervalue for what they do.  Here are some reasons to be thankful for their profession existence.

                1)  Drug Experts

                2)    Most trusted professionals

                3)    Patient Advocates:

                4)    Most Accessible Healthcare Professionals

                5)    A Resource to other health care professionals

Jenny

P1 - Class of 2018

Attendance at Professional Meetings

At Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, attendance of at least one professional meeting is a requirement. This may seem daunting due to the fact that as a P1 or P2, you may not know much about the profession as a whole or how to network with pharmacy preceptors. However, after attending your first meeting, you will see that they are exciting and a great learning experience! As a P1, my classmates and I attended our first meeting as a group, and this definitely helped relieve our nervousness. Going as a group made it easier to feel more comfortable in a large crowd. As a P2, you will probably try to find a meeting targeted toward your interest. Actually, as a P2, I have already been to two professional meetings this year. One was a “social night”, and it was just a laid-back way for students from different colleges of pharmacy to interact and also network with professors at different schools and preceptors. Then, I attended the SCSHP Fall Meeting, which was very informative on health-system pharmacy. At this meeting students did a workshop on professionalism and had a panel of residents discuss the ASHP Midyear Meeting. Furthermore, students got to watch their fellow classmates compete in the Clinical Skills Competition. That was a wonderful experience especially since two of our own PCSP students won! Hence professional meetings are meant to provide education on pharmacy as a profession and also, assist students in working on their networking skills, and provide a chance for students to get involved in their pharmacy area of choice. 

Abby

P2 - Class of 2017

PC's Got Talent

Every year SNPhA (Student National Pharmaceutical Association) holds a talent show for our yearly fundraiser. We as a chapter work very hard to make this event successful and enjoyable for attendees. At this show we collect can goods for the local food bank while displaying the wonderful talent that PC has to offer.  PC’s Got Talent is a talent competition offering $150.00 cash to the 1^st place winner, and the event is open to all students across both campuses. It is a great way for students on the main campus to meet some of the pharmacy students. This year we had over 180 attendees and 12 acts. The acts included singing, dancing, comedians, etc. During the show, attendees played games and won various prizes.  It was a great way for students to take a break from studying and have a good time.

Brittany

P3 - Class of 2016

Halloween

Let’s face it growing up is just another opportunity to be a little kid again. I used Halloween this year to do just that! Hi! I’m Chandler, a P2 at PCSP. I have never been huge on celebrating Halloween, but this year the opportunity to take a study break was too strong to ignore. So naturally I did what all good graduate students do…I went Pinterest searching for fun Halloween crafts. There were plenty to choose from so I decided to go with mummy hotdogs (a hotdog cut to look like a man wrapped in a crescent roll). I invited over a few friends and we chowed down on hotdogs and, of course, candy! We had a wonderful time. It’s nice to spend time with my classmates without books in our lap. 

Chandler

P2 - Class of 2017

Rotation Experience

Here at Presbyterian School of Pharmacy, you start your first rotation the spring semester of your P1 year, in the retail setting, and you continue to do 2 locations per semester, once weekly. As a P1 I got to see 2 very different retail settings, a large chain pharmacy and an independent pharmacy.  I cannot even explain how much information made more sense after my time at each location! “Ah-ha” moments galore!

As a P2, your rotations shift from community retail settings to hospital pharmacy. I honestly, was not excited. I’ve always thought of myself as a retail or corporate pharmacist, pretty much set on a distinct path! Then, I started a rotation at Newberry Hospital and I LOVE EVERYTHING about it.  I thank my school every day for pushing me into these new experiences of pharmacy, because I almost missed out on a great career opportunity due to having a closed mind!

At this rotation, I am treated as a team member and I really feel encouraged to learn and participate! They have shown me what’s it like to play a providers role as a pharmacist and it’s been awesome! From counseling patients on anticoagulant therapy at discharge to preparing IV solutions STAT for the emergency department, I have been encouraged to learn!

Rotations are a great motivator in the middle of a hectic week and guess what? Your preceptors, they’ve been in your shoes! They understand what’s it like and they are more than willing to provide extra encouragement or even reinforcement that assures you becoming a pharmacist, was the right decision!

Rebecca
P2 - Class of 2017

Letters of Recommendation

One of the most important aspects of the admission process required for pharmacy school acceptance is great letters of recommendation. In general, when we are applying for a job or admission into a school, it is almost always required to submit at least one letter of recommendation.  I cannot emphasize how important it is to network and build relationships with peers and professors.  By creating these relationships, it can easily provide you with the opportunity to have great letters of recommendations.  Think about it, if you apply to a school, the admission committee has to read the letters of recommendation. Many committees find out who their candidate is prior to coming in for an interview by reading their letters.  A good letter could help you win a foot in the door and a bad letter might not.

Some key points to remember are, make sure you request a letter of recommendation early enough so that you give your reference enough time to write it.  Another point is to ensure ample time for your reference to send the letter of recommendation to the school during admissions.  Remember, these letters will represent your character, academic potential, and reputation prior to coming for an interview, so be very meticulous about the people you select to write your letter.  Choosing the right person as a reference could potentially guarantee your spot in the pharmacy school.

Sienna

P3 - Class of 2016

Immunization Training

As we all know, the role of pharmacist in health care is expanding quickly. Pharmacists are making a big jump from the “lick, stick, pour, count” stereotypical model of the past, to the new age of the comprehensive patient care initiative. Let’s hope however, that the “lick” aspect of that previous statement never really accounted to patient care!

Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy is continuously taking steps to prepare us for the pharmacist role expansion. For instance, the American Pharmacy Association has developed a protocol and learning seminar to prepare pharmacist and student pharmacist to give vaccinations to patients.  We completed this program as second year pharmacy students!

Before the live seminar, there were online tutorials and an exam to complete, but that was nothing compared to the live training! The material was simple; we students are used to learning the facts! However, on a pretty Saturday, the entire P2 class piled in to a lecture hall and prepared to stick each other, with not just one, but three shots! Hands on learning taken to a whole new level!

Everyone’s nerves were on edge, you could see fear and excitement on faces through-out the room, especially as we began drawing up our syringes with saline solution FOR INJECTION!!! It really made for a comical view! Though most of us had no experience administering shots, everything went smoothly! Not one person fainted! And after a day’s worth of learning and sticking each other, it was yet another accomplishment PCSP gave us!

Taking the course at school meant three really great things: 1) it was FREE, where most pharmacists have to pay to get certified, 2) the certification last for the duration of your career, and 3) it was fun! Having our whole class there, seeing the direct correlation with our school and the initiative to expand pharmacy practice, gave everyone a prideful boost! All in all in was a GREAT day, even though I did get 3 shots!

Rebecca

P2 - Class of 2017

Taking the PCAT

The dreaded PCAT – it is not as bad as you think. The PCAT website, where you sign-up to take the test, has all the info you could imagine about the PCAT. Honestly, I did okay on the PCAT but not as well as I wanted to. Mainly due to the fact that I did not review for the test like I had planned. I bought the Kaplan PCAT Test Prep Book and had all of my old class notes and planned to do a little each day a month or so before the test. Needless to say, I did not stick to that. I did however take a few practice tests that the PCAT website offered. There are a multitude of resources out there to help get you as prepared as you want to be. Here are a few great ones:

• Kaplan’s PCAT Test Prep Book
• BenchPrep PCAT Review (there’s an app for that)
• Past classwork (if you kept that kind of stuff)
• Loads of other books (Kaplan is top-of-the-line though)
• Audio books
• Practice tests from PCAT website

I would recommend viewing all of the resources available on the PCAT website first. Buy the Kaplan book and actually use it (you can have the one pictured if you would like). Develop a plan to study and stick to it. Use whatever you can to get prepared. As far as taking the test:

• Make sure to get plenty of sleep
• Eat a full breakfast
• Arrive to your testing site early
• Make sure you have everything you need before leaving home (ID’s, paperwork, etc.)
• Pace yourself (do not spend too much time on one question)
• Remember you are not penalized for wrong answers (if you are running out of time…start clicking)

Do not stress over the test. You, most likely, will not do well if you do. I suggest taking it as soon as you can so that you can take it again if needed. Admissions are dependent on various factors such as, GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, letters of recommendations, research, publications, experience, character, etc., not just your PCAT score. PCSP does a great job of considering all the factors of what makes a great future pharmacist. I know you will do well on the PCAT, along with everything else, and look forward to meeting you all as P1s next year. Take care and good luck.

Stephen

P1 - Class of 2018

Fall Break

                 

Ahhh….take a deep breath and relax, because you my friend have made it to fall break. Just when you think you couldn’t study an ounce more, you find that you have two whole days (and the weekend before those days) off, and you think that you might just sleep in forever. However, after that first good night of sleep, you realize….hey, I should go do something fun while I have the time! So, let me give you a few ideas of how you might spend those glorious days off. First, there is always downtown Greenville, and lo and behold there is a fall festival called “Fall for Greenville” that usually coincides with our break. There is food, music and fun to participate in, all about 45 minutes away from Clinton. Another option is going to the mountains (it IS fall after all) and enjoying a nice ride looking at the changing leaves. Charlotte, NC and Gatlinburg, TN are only a short distance away, and make for nice getaways in the fall. A third option in which students partake is going to the beach, which is about 3-4 hours away from Clinton. It might not be sun-bathing weather, but it sure is nice to walk along the water without the crowds from the summer! Whatever you choose to do, ENJOY it, because those exams will crank back up the moment you return (but by this time, you will be relaxed and ready to study yet again- we do love our profession after all).

Jenny

P3 - Class of 2016

Clinical Skills Challenge

Hello, my name is Caleb, and I am a third year pharmacy student at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy.  Last month, I had the privilege to compete in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy’s (ACCP) National Clinical Pharmacy Challenge.  To make the team which represented our school in the national competition, I had to compete in the local round, which was a timed written exam composed of trivia questions, clinical case applications, and jeopardy-styled questions.  I was fortunate to be one of the top three scorers on the local exam and was able to advance to compete in the national competition with my team mates, Jason and Steven, who are both fourth year pharmacy students at the PC School of Pharmacy. 

The composition of the quizzes administered during the national rounds of the competition were very similar to the one given at the local round; it was timed, and the three sections of the quiz remained the same.  However, these rounds were online, and it definitely made it a little more interesting, especially when our computer froze in the middle of the clinical case applications section in the third round! 

Our team successfully maneuvered through multiple rounds of the competition, which began with 104 teams.  We made it into the top 64, the top 32, the top 16, and we competed for one of the top 8 slots.  We didn’t qualify for one of the top 8 slots that will compete live at the ACCP annual meeting this month in Austin, Texas, but our team did exceptionally well, and we have received a lot of recognition from our adviser during the competition, Dr. Jaime Foushee, as well as many of the pharmacy practice faculty and administration here at the PC School of Pharmacy.

Caleb

P3 - Class of 2016

What a Private College Means to Me

In my experience, private colleges are schools that have slightly higher tuition payments because of the quality of education that I’ll be receiving! They are usually colleges that have a smaller class size, so I get a chance to have one on one interaction with my professors, get a chance to meet more of my classmates at a closer level, and be sure that the quality of my education is great! In my opinion, having that one on one interaction with my professors really helps me understand the material better, and overall helps me succeed in the course. I love being able to walk into class every day and feel like it’s a little family of students, with the same goal, helping each other be better. 

Jackie

P1 - Class of 2018

Interview Preparation

I’m Allie, a P3, we have started our first round of admissions interviews here at PC School of Pharmacy. I wanted to give you some quick tips on how to prepare for your upcoming interview day. First, before your interview date, check us out at pharmacy.presby.edu and get to know us and what we are about here at PC. Dress professionally; collared shirts, dress slacks, suits, etc.  Your individual interview will be conducted with a faculty member and a healthcare provider and will last about 45 minutes. This is a pretty small window of opportunity for your interviewers to get to know you so, practice an introduction, a quick bit about who you are and what you want them to know about you. Have a friend or family member conduct a mock interview with you, so that you can practice thinking on your feet. Don’t over think your answers, answer honestly and thoughtfully. Also it is very important to make every effort to arrive early to your interview day, plan ahead for traffic or weather. This way, you have plenty of time to orientate yourself and check in with our admissions staff. Lastly, take a deep breath, relax and let yourself shine through because you were hand-picked to come and interview with us. Good luck to you and I hope we will see you next fall!

Allie

P3 - Class of 2016

A Night Under the Lights

Displaying your school pride can be done in multiple fashions here at Presbyterian College. Going to support the PC football team is the way I display mine, while serving as a well needed study break. Being a former member of the Presbyterian College football team gives me some insight into all the hard work and dedication it takes to be a student-athlete here at PC. On September 13^th PC was able to defeat longtime rival Furman University in the first night game in 15 years. Being in attendance with Dean Fuhrman, Dr. Asbill and fellow classmates made for a great time as we celebrated a monumental victory for the College.  If you are a die-hard football fan and nothing gets your juices flowing better than hard tackling football, you won’t have to drive to Clemson or Columbia to witness Division 1 Football. 

Jimmy

P2 - Class of 2017

CPNP: Mental Health Awareness

Here at PC School of Pharmacy, we strive to make everyone aware of what we can encounter before we step out on our own. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) educates students on mental health disorders and the ways that pharmacists are now participating in the treatment of these patients. CPNP is participating in Mental Health Awareness week that occurs October 5-11^th. We will wear green to promote mental health awareness to the school and community. Mental health tends to be an under-served population, so we are here to bring light to this problem. During this week, we will be playing trivia to make students more aware of the definition of mental illness and to teach students about the various types of mental illness. In the month of November, we will have a psychiatric pharmacist, Dr. Jaclyn Marie Mawsky, attend our monthly chapter meeting. She will speak about her job at the Dorn VA Medical Center and the psychiatric research that she participates in. November is also National Epilepsy Awareness Month. During this month, our organization will post awareness quizzes on our social media for students to participate in. This will raise awareness about epilepsy and the ways that pharmacists can contribute to the healthcare of these patients. CPNP is a very active organization and we are proud that PC has one of the biggest student chapters in the nation. Mental health is an increasingly growing problem and we are here to contribute our knowledge to help these patients. We encourage you to wear green during October 5-11^th to show your support for mental health!

Paige

P3 - Class of 2016

#ServiceSaturday

               

Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy’s (PCSP) motto is “While we live, we serve.”  Five PCSP students took that to heart and gave up their Saturday morning to help those in need.  Students Monica, Alex, Celeste, Courtney, and Jonathan traveled to Laurens to help paint a Habitat for Humanity House. Not only is volunteering beneficial, it’s fun!

Alex

P3 – Class of 2016

Handbags for Hope

As a student member of the healthcare profession, it is important to not only be involved within your school, but to be involved in the community.  September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  Raising awareness to those who have little knowledge about this illness is essential.  Every year the South Carolina Ovarian Cancer Foundation host an event in Greenville, SC called Handbags for Hope.  At this event handbags are auctioned off during both a silent and live auction, and all the proceeds collected go towards raising awareness, as well as, assistance for women fighting the battle against ovarian cancer.  Many of the handbags are autographed by people such as Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Georgia’s football coach Mark Richt, famous actors/actresses, etc.  At the event, survivors shared their journey through this battle and their gratitude for the support they were shown.  This year was my first year attending Handbags for Hope but I can guarantee it will not be my last.  I had such a great time with friends/colleagues mingling with others in the community who are just as eager to spread awareness about such a devastating disease as I am.  Even though the event has passed, you still have the opportunity to reach out to others.  Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is represented by the color teal.  I challenge you today to wear your teal proudly and talk with at least one person about Ovarian Cancer.  Spread the Awareness!!

Lindsey

P3 - Class of 2016  

Choosing Another Fork

I have not always wanted to be a pharmacist. I originally chose a fork that took me into nutrition. It was a good choice. I enjoyed the classes. I learned a lot of interesting things. And I got to play with food and then teach people about it. So I started a summer internship in a hospital and thought, this will be great! As I am talking with a patient about his new cardiac diet after having a heart attack, his family brings in lunch for him, a fast food bag full of food. He says it’s because his new food…well it just wasn't as good. I had other situations occur similar to this one. I went back and started to rethink my plan of how I wanted to help people stay healthy and get better. So off I went in search of another fork to go down. That was when I found the fork to the world of pharmacy. I was told patients no longer want to work so hard to get healthy. They want a pill that will help do the work for them. So, I started working in a pharmacy. Not only do they just dispense medicine, but these pharmacists dispense knowledge and advice to patients. And get this…the patients actually listened to them! They are helping patients improve their lifestyles, which is what I wanted to do all along. Well, I am now in my third year of pharmacy school and realizing that while it took me longer to get here, it was one of the best choices I have ever made. There are many others here with different degrees, teaching degrees, finance degrees, etc. So just because your original fork may not have been pharmacy, remember that you can always choose another fork that leads you here. Trust me when I say, you will be so glad you did. 

- Lindsay Helms

Why be involved at PCSP?

         I am Ginnie, a current P3 at PCSP. I can remember even from my interview, upperclassmen continuously suggested to me to become and stay involved. It wasn’t till classes began and the whirlwind of the semester began that I understood why it was so important to be involved and make a difference at PCSP. Since PCSP is a new school, as students, we are lucky enough to be building the foundation (especially in regards to student organizations) that our school will continue to build from. Each class will incessantly be diverse at PC and each one will contain a variety of people who decide to be active in the school and flex their leadership skills. In my opinion, the more you put in (not only the academia of pharmacy school, but also the student organizational side) the more you will take away from PCSP, along with your PharmD, once we graduate.

            One example on how to be involved is through student organizations. Each student organization on campus is involved with various process and decision making. In addition, each student organization has philanthropy that they raise money for and offer volunteer opportunities for throughout the year. Often times these involve service projects or health screenings within the community. Being involved in student organizations enables us to develop our leadership skills as well as make a difference throughout the community and represent PCSP during the process. Although it doesn’t seem like it, we are all representing the initial years of these organizations at PCSP and although they often have national chapters, we are building these various organizations from the ground up.

            Another example of how to be involved at PCSP is to attend functions and events that are continuously going on around us. These functions are carefully planned with intentions to raise awareness, raise money, promote health, or to educate the community. Each students’ support and assistance with these events aids in the success and overall gain for the public, the PC family, as well as the future of PCSP. It’s unbelievable what the addition of a few extra people can do during such events.

I can honestly say that even in my few years at PCSP, I have seen a huge change in a range of different processes and decisions made simply through the involvement of students in the decisions. It’s comforting and rewarding at the same time to be part of a “community” at PCSP where faculty and students can work together to make decisions, be recognized, and jointly make a reputation for PCSP that will stand long after we are practicing pharmacy in various places throughout the nation. Become involved in student relations at PCSP and inevitably you will walk away with much more than you considered you would.

            

Experience at PCSP

 

            Hi, my name is Krystal Shelton and I am a P2 student.  I began PCSP after obtaining 2 undergraduates degrees and was very nervous about “beginning” school again.  I can say that orientation week was a huge help for putting my mind at ease and guiding me in the direction for utilizing resources available to me.  During orientation week, I had the opportunity to interact with my fellow classmates and professors and began building trusting relationships. 

            Here at PCSP, I can truly say that the professors are HERE for YOU! They are willing to help you anyway that they can, even if it means staying after hours or meeting prior to normal business hours.  Yes, there is diligent work that must be done, but my father has always told me, “Honey, anything in life worth having, you MUST work for it!”  With that being said, REMEMBER why you have been chosen to embrace the amazing pharmacy profession, but also take time to enjoy life as well. Good luck and hope to see you soon!                

Camp Porcupine: Adventures in Working With Diabetic Children

Hi everyone,

My name is Brittany and I am a rising third year pharmacy student at PCSP. This summer I was given the opportunity to volunteer at a children’s diabetic summer camp held at the YMCA in Greenwood, SC. It was scheduled for a week for about 7 hours a day; however I was only able to attend one day. Each day the campers completed different activities. The medical staff consisted of pharmacists, student pharmacists, nurses and also student nurses. I really enjoyed how were able to collaborate with each other to help the children manage their diabetes.

We were split up into two different teams. Each team consisted of a combination of the medical staff and a variety of the campers (age, sex, type of diabetes). There were charts for each child to have a record of what went on throughout the day when their blood glucose was checked.  The first activity we did consisted of games. One team painted with arts and crafts and the other played bingo. Bingo consisted of diabetic terminology to enhance their knowledge about the disease state. I must add they did extremely well at this game! During each physical activity, we had to monitor each child to make sure they didn't become hypoglycemic (low blood glucose). Signs we looked for included lightheaded-ness, dizziness and perspiration. If a child seemed to be hypoglycemic, we would take them to the side and check their blood glucose. It is was low, we would give them something to help increase it such as a glucose powder pack or a snack. We would also monitor their hydration. Before and after lunch, they had to check their blood glucose. Most of the children wanted to check their own. They were champs! Prior to eating, they had to count their carbs. Each child got a slip of paper with the different meal options. Once they added up the amount of carbs they wanted to eat, they verified it with one of the health care professionals. Based on their blood glucose reading and how many carbs they were going to eat, we would determine if they needed an injection before or after they ate if they were insulin dependent. The campers would calculate the dose of insulin that was needed and verify it with the medical staff prior to injection.  If they were unsure of the dose, we would help them calculate it. After lunch, the children engaged in other physical activities.

                This week long camp provided the children opportunities to engage in fun activities and also allowed them to enhance their knowledge about how to manage their condition. The campers were able to make new friends with others who also had diabetes. I gained a lot out of this experience. From learning about this disease state hands on to working with other health care professionals, I hope to be able to volunteer at this camp again next year.