Are we there yet...??

This is the question every P3 is asking on a regular basis: "Are we there yet?"  It has definitely been a challenge to get this far into pharmacy school, and with rotations just around the corner (in 6 weeks!), we can't wait for this semester to be over.  Yet, the semester is far from over.  We're being challenged more and more with each passing week with final presentations, journal clubs, and new courses (that began after spring break) that seem to become more difficult with each passing semester.  But we all know in the back of our minds that we can definitely finish off strong.  One of our professors gave use a little pep talk the other day, and spoke about how they had seen students in previous years decrease in their efforts of studying as their last P3 semester progressed, and she urged us to press on.  It was actually pretty encouraging.  We need to press on!  Six more weeks!  Six more weeks!  Six more weeks!

We have what now?

The 2nd semester has started and after last week the P1s are ready for spring break. This semester is more science intensive that most of us enjoy but the pace of exams has increased to very other week. While I enjoy pharmaceutics, studying for a quiz in this class is like studying for an exam since all the material is fair game and the quiz is only 6 questions long. This last week was a bit much. I don't know whether it was preplanned by our professors as a test to determine whether our study habits are adequate or if it was a large coincidence.

• Monday: Pharmaceutics Practical Exam
• Tuesday: Pharmacogenomics Exam
• Thursday: Pharmaceutics quiz
• Friday: IBHS quiz
• Monday: IBHS Exam

While most of us are looking forward to summer, some of us P1s (myself included) have decided to pursue our MBA in the joint program here at Shenandoah University. We commit to spending every other weekend in the summer (August is our off month) in P1, P2, P3 years. If anyone is interesting in pursuing their PharmD & MBA together, definitely check out: http://pharmacy.su.edu/PharmWeb/indexmenu/NavIndex.cfm?fuseaction=PharmDMBA

The only drawback is that a bachelor's degree is needed to be accepted into the MBA program but the school is willing to work with those who are close to receiving their degree so you can finish coursework before the beginning of your P1 year.

I hope to post more this semester.

Enjoy the warmish 50˚F weather while it lasts.

Kassandra

So it begins again...

We have now entered into the 5th week of the spring 2012 semester at BJD, and we (P1s, P2s, P3s) are not having our first "wave" of exams.  My first exam of the semester was last Thursday and went fairly well for the entire class.  Our next major exam is this Wednesday for iCare: Neuro/Psychiatry, and I'm already feeling very anxious about it.  It's a 3-credit class, which makes it big deal, and we covered a lot of material in the last 4 weeks about sleep disorders and seizure disorders.  It's actually very interested - some of the most interesting material I have studied so far in pharmacy school, which makes me want to be educated about it even more.  I think most of the P3s are on cloud 9 as we think about rotations to come in 3 months, which makes it difficult to motivate ourselves to study this semester.  But we need to do what we need to do to finish this semester off successfully.  3 months sounds so short, yet feels so long!  I hope we make it through this semester quickly and successfully!

This Train Ain't Stopping...

Hi Everyone!

I'm excited to be writing for the Life at BJD blog! I am a P1 student at the Ashburn campus and a native from NJ. These past few weeks have been very busy for us P1s. Between midterms and assignments, I know all of us have been amazed that somehow we are managing to get everything done and on time! It seems like every week we have something new added to our plates.

Life here at the Ashburn campus is different from the Winchester campus. We have a smaller class size so we know each other well but many commute so it doesn't necessarily have a university campus feel like Winchester does. We are lucky though. We get our classes through video conference when the professors are in Winchester and sometimes they visit! When they visit, it really gives us a chance to get to know them since we are hardly ever on the Winchester campus.

There are lots of pharmacy organizations and many of their activities are on the Winchester campus. On Nov. 5th, AMCP held the Mentor/Mentee Luncheon and Mock Interviews. The Mentor/Mentee program pairs an undergraduate student with a pharmacy student so the undergraduate can get insight in what it's like to apply to pharmacy school, help preparing for interviews, or ask questions about pharmacy in general.

A friend made this comment to me and I realize now know how true it is. Pharmacy school is like being on train. Once you are on it, It keeps moving unless you get a break, graduate, or fall off of it.

I'm definitely looking forward to winter break but for now I have to get back to studying for Pharmaceutics. No scheduled stops until Thanksgiving!

Kasey

Into the Future...

The P3s, including myself, just ranked our rotation clusters this past week and we signed up for our Spring 2012 semester classes.  All of these things make me think long and hard about my future - my aspirations and goals as a future pharmacist.  The thought of becoming a licensed pharmacist in less than 1.5 years is extremely exciting, but honestly, a bit frightening.  It calls for a lot of responsibility, much more than what I'm used to, because lives are in your hands.  I went on pre-rounds at the WMC this past week with one of my professors, and it was a bit depressing, but at the same time, quite amazing.  The different thoughts the pharmacist goes through, the many suggestions they come up with for medication therapy interventions, and the what-seems-like infinite knowledge they have was jaw-dropping.  I hope that I can do what they do someday - making a difference in patient's lives.

Trying to stay awake...

Hi bloggers,

This is my first blog entry for SU BJD!  Exciting!  My friend and I are trying to keep our eyes open while we study tonight, which is quite a challenge.  It's been a busy past few weeks and continue to be for another couple of weeks with midterms upon us.  Thankfully, we have a 4-day weekend (aka "Fall break") that will help us to recuperate and recharge between midterm exams.  I knew P3 year was going to be tough, but at the same time, I guess I didn't know exactly what to expect.  It's not crazy, impossibly difficult, or else I would be crying right now, but the courses are demanding and require a great deal of continual diligence.  We're down 2 midterms, and have 4 more to go, including one being tomorrow morning!!  I can't wait until fall break (in 3 days)!!!  Yes, I'm counting down.  We're in desperate need of the break.
I've been doing a lot of reflecting on SU BJD lately (maybe I'm becoming nostalgic as I am nearing graduation - haha~ in a little more than a year), but I'm really grateful to the professors and the staff.  Things aren't perfect and some things seem unfair are times, but I think they're doing a good job overall with teaching and guiding us.

Well, back to studying!  Wish the P3's good luck on our midterms!!!

"Success comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." - Henry David Thoreau (philosopher)




Esther

Final Semester

The final semester has finally begun. And I definitely have a case of senioritis. I have been at my computer for the last hour with my notebook open, ready to study GI/Nutrition for ICARE...but I keep finding other things I could do (like write a BLOG). Oh well.

This semester is definitely as difficult as the others with ICARE, but the motivation level is way down. My time is spent on other school related things like preparing a dance for the talent show, or working on class websites, or KE pledging. This semester we have 9 pledges and they are amazing! I'm glad we have such a wonderful pledge class. I know they will keep KE going strong next year.

Ok sorry to keep this short but I really SHOULD be studying! I'll try to write again soon.