RX 101: Surviving the First Semester of Pharmacy School

Hi my name is Paige, and I am a P1 here at PCSP.  It’s hard to believe that this semester is already over; it seems like just yesterday I was sitting in orientation.  How did I get through this semester?  STUDYING!!!   This was very hard for me, because I am not use to studying, but if you stay ahead and study a little a day it will pay off.  Learn what works best for you.

Studying is very important, but you must get involved as well.  I am very involved at PCSP - I am honored to be a Student Ambassador, the P1 Class Liaison, and a member of National Community Pharmacists Association.  Being a part of the school gives you an opportunity to get to know your classmates, the other classes, as well as your professors. 

Last but not least, time management.  Pharmacy school is NOTHING like undergrad.  It is very demanding of you.  No more cramming a few notes a few hours before.  You know when your tests are so use your time wisely.  Study, get involved, and manage your time; and you will get through pharmacy school just fine.   

Integrated Approach

Hi, my name Dawn, and I am a P2 here at PCSP.  There are so many things I could share with you about PCSP but this would no longer be a blog.  As I directed my path into a career in pharmacy, PCSP was not open yet but I had seen an article in a Pharmacy Times Magazine introducing the school.  As time got closer, my interest in the school grew.  The community-based program was very intriguing and important to me.  I have no doubt that I made the right decision to be here.  

I want to share with you one of the unique things about our school.  We do our rotations during the school year starting in the second semester of the P1 year.  These rotations are one day a week for 4 hours to different locations for a 5 or 6-week time-period.  What is great is as you go out to these sites, the things you learn during school you put to work in the community making learning more effective.  Believe me, as you learn here and apply it out there, the better you understand.  You do not have to wait until the summer or your 4th year rotations to start experiencing the pharmacy world we will be entering very soon.  This also gives you experiences in areas other than just retail or hospital pharmacies.  PCSP does a great job at exposing you to many different avenues in the world of pharmacy, and because it is early on, it allows you to make better decisions and set goals early in your career.  My last rotation was a great experience.  Even though I have worked in a hospital pharmacy for many years, this hospital rotation gave me some incredible insight and experience.  I worked with physicians, medical residents, medical students, pharmacy residents, and other pharmacists.  Their teaching and knowledge was awesome to learn from and coincided with what I learned in class.  They were excited for us to be there almost as much as I was.  It was a privilege to be in that environment and was a wonderful experience and opportunity to build on my education.  I am thankful that PCSP has developed this into their program.

Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes

Hey!  My name is Kemper, and I am in my first year at PC School of Pharmacy.  A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer through PCSP for the American Diabetes Association at their event in Greenville titled “Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes”.  I was part of a group of around 10-15 pharmacy students from the school who volunteered that day.  

At the event, some students passed out educational diabetes pamphlets, some sold event merchandise, some interacted with walkers, and some passed out stickers for walkers to wear which stated “I’m Walking for _____________”.  I was paired with a few fellow students, and we were in charge of handing out the stickers.  Through this interaction, we met some very inspiring and truly amazing people.  We met people who were walking for family members, friends, coworkers, and even themselves. I’m glad I had the opportunity to volunteer at this event, and I plan and look forward to volunteering at this event next year.

Part of PCSP curriculum includes required professional volunteer hours as well as non-professional volunteer hours.  I feel this requirement enhances not only our personal skills, but our education as well.  Personally, this “requirement” has become an activity I enjoy and look forward to every week. 

Balancing Life in Pharmacy School

I know what you are all thinking. What?! Can you really balance all the class assignments, exams, and have fun at the same time? Yes, I am the living testimony.

Prospective student:

Who is this guy?

Pharmacy Student:

Oh, my apologies.  My name is Patrick An - I am in my second semester and in my first year of 

Pharmacy School.

Prospective student:

Okay, but how can you balance everything?

Patrick:

I am not going to lie to you all.  Let’s talk, real talk:

Pharmacy school is not an easy. (Check mark, √)        Very important statement

Pharmacy school is going to be time consuming. (√)    Worth it

Pharmacy school is going to test your abilities. (√)       Be prepared, you will get it

Pharmacy school is fun. (√)                                        WHAT?!

The last point is an understatement. Pharmacy school can be fun. It depends what you make of it. Five days of the week, I am in school and the latest I ever gotten out was late afternoon. Where will I find that time to study and have fun? Simple, study throughout the week and spend the weekend to go out. I am sure at least one of you has heard of the term ‘time management’ back since grade school, right? It will help you take on a different perspective and keep you consistent on the tasks at hand. Again, it is all up to you.

Prospective student:

Can you give me an Example?

Patrick:

Oh, sure! Recently, I have participated in an event called Color Me Rad. I believe it was

on a Saturday and it was located at the heart of University of South Carolina. I could not

have asked for any better timing or location. Anyway, Color Me Rad is a 5k running

event and the donations will fund the local program called Happy Wheels. The program

helps local children hospitals by rolling a cart filled with toys and books and each child

can pick up one item from the cart. The running event is not only helping with the

program, but also helps us with our personal health. I know, I needed to get back into

shape, but I digress.

Prospective student:

Can you give me another Example related to Pharmacy?

Patrick:

Of course! I am part of the Student National Pharmacy Association (SNPhA) and I was

given an opportunity to be a part of their fall event called SNPhA’s 1^st Annual Open

Mic / Self Expression Night. I helped with the Audio and Visual. The crowd came from

the local community, students of Presbyterian College, and pharmacy students. The

participants for the talents acts mostly consisted of pharmacy students and a few

undergraduates from the main Presbyterian College campus. In between the acts the

SNPhA, they provided interesting facts about HIV/ AIDs awareness. The event was fun

and informative. It was a great turnout from the crowd and there were amazing talents,

especially from the pharmacy students.

Prospective student:

Okay, but… Were there any exams or assignments around the event?

Patrick:

Yes and no. The event date was perfect. Yes, I had all my exams and assignments were

done prior to the running event. No, the best part was that in the following week there

were not exams or homework. I was in the clear, but I had to do a little extra. What I did

leading to the event were reviewed the next set of classes for the next day, did things

ahead of time by studying during lunch breaks, and made time toward the evening to

review the materials, and the list goes on and on. There is always time, but it is what you

make of it.

The bottom line is all things are possible but it will be key to manage your time and priorities when coming into an institution that is highly looked up to. This is a professional program that is student-focused and provides the best resources for you to become a successful well-rounded pharmacist. At the same time, it is good to learn to balance fun into the mix because I don’t think anyone wants to burnout.

Pharmacy School is going to require you to become more than a pharmacist, but an ‘overall’ better individual to serve our communities and our profession. Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy is equipped and able to put that all on the table, just for you.

The Presbyterian College motto is While we live, we serve and our pharmacy school extended that motto into Care for the Community.

Getting Through the Interview

Hey guys! I’m Jonny Clay, a P2 here at PCSP.  I know interviews are going on right now, and I just wanted to give you guys a few tips to get through this process.

First and most importantly, be yourself.  I cannot stress enough how important this is.  The interviewers are not there to grill you or to make you doubt yourself.  There are simply there to evaluate how you will mesh with the program and how good a fit the program is for you.  So, don’t be nervous.  Relax.  It will be a friendly, pleasant experience, I promise. 

Second, we’ll be watching you.  Okay, don’t freak out.  The current students for PCSP will be around that day, and the purpose is not to intimidate, but to be available for you to approach us and present questions about topics YOU care about to people like YOU.  Let’s face it, El Jalisco (got your interest?) and Trivia Nights may not be high on the discussion board during your interview process, but the point still stands that you will want to know what your social options are once you get here. 

Finally, take the time to get to know the town.  If you do join us here at PCSP, it means you’re going to spend the next 4 years of your life in small-town Clinton, SC.  Yes, Clinton is a small town. Yes, entertainment options may be limited.  I’ve been in Clinton for going on 5 years now.  I did my undergraduate work at the main campus.  I love it here.  It’s a homely place.  If that is not enough for you, Spartanburg is only 25 minutes up I-26, and Greenville is a hop, skip, and a jump down 385.  You’ll have plenty to keep you busy, plenty of good people to know and enjoy, and one of the best pharmacy educations in the country to boot.  What more could you want?

I hope your interviews go well, and look forward to meeting you guys in the Fall!