Lanie Florian-West is a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy.
In the seemingly never-ending cycle of assignments, work, extracurricular activities, and other day-to-day activities, it is easy to get burned out as a student pharmacist. There are so many deadlines, responsibilities, and expectations, and it can be easy to lose yourself while keeping up with them. Throughout pharmacy school, I have learned that making self-care a priority helps keep me centered, prevents burnout, and allows me to perform at my best.
Finding small moments of joy and activities that ground me outside of pharmacy school has been essential to maintaining my motivation and overall well-being.
My cherished support system
For me, spending quality time with loved ones is the foundation of my mental wellness. I try to intentionally spend time with the people who matter most to me through date nights with my husband, dinners and movie nights with my friends, and tailgates with my family. This support system keeps me grounded during the challenges of pharmacy school. While they encourage me in my academic and professional pursuits, time spent with them outside of school allows me to truly disconnect, recharge, and be present.
Even when I cannot set aside large amounts of time, taking brief breaks to truly be present with my loved ones helps reduce my stress and reminds me how loved and supported I am. Pharmacy school can feel isolating, but pouring into relationships with my loved ones reminds me how supported I am both personally and professionally.
Love a good page turner
Another way I decompress and relax is through reading. I have always loved reading and appreciate the enjoyment it brings me even more in this phase of my life. Whether I am reading before bed, participating in a book club with my friends, or squeezing in a few pages as a study break, reading allows me to pause and step away from my stressors and escape into the world I am reading about. My book club just finished one of my favorites, Billy Summers by Stephen King!
Seek out your well-being activities
There are countless ways to destress outside of pharmacy school and finding time for self-care and activities you enjoy is crucial as a student pharmacist. Pharmacy school is very demanding, plus you have all the other general life responsibilities you balance. Still, prioritizing time to take care of yourself enhances your ability to perform well, enjoy your time as a student pharmacist, and maintain your mental health.
Being aware of your stress level as a student pharmacist and seeking out well-being activities not only helps prevent burnout, but also reminds you that you are not alone, provides motivation, and helps support your mental health. You cannot care for your patients unless you care for yourself first. The next generation of pharmacists must lead by example in this critical area.