Guenviere Sampson is a second-year PharmD candidate at University of Florida College of Pharmacy.
If you had told me 5 years ago that I’d be balancing pharmacy school, working two jobs, and raising three young children while being the sole provider for my family, I might’ve laughed, cried, or honestly both. Yet here I am, living that reality every day. It’s not easy. Most days, it’s incredibly hard. But it’s also the most rewarding journey I’ve ever been on both physically and mentally.
Student pharmacists are expected to excel in class, give back to their communities, and somehow maintain balance between it all. Add parenting and full-time work to that, and it can feel impossible. But through this journey, I’ve discovered something powerful about myself: resilience and a strong mindset.
My “why”
Time management has become my lifeline. With so few hours to spare, every minute matters. I rely on my calendar app like it’s a survival tool for scheduling classes, shifts, study time, workouts, family time, and when I can, a few quiet moments for myself. It’s not a perfect system, but it gives me a sense of control in the chaos.
On the hardest days when I’m studying late after tucking in my kids or dragging myself to work on little sleep, I come back to my “why.” My children are my reason. Their future, their security, their belief in possibility, that’s what drives me. And so is my purpose in pharmacy: to help people live healthier, more hopeful lives.
We all have a “why.” I encourage everyone reading this to hold on to theirs. Write it down. Reflect on it. When things feel too heavy to carry, your “why” will help you keep going.
Optimism is a strategy
Mindset is one of the most powerful tools we have—not just as students, but as future pharmacists. Optimism isn’t just about staying positive; it’s a strategy. When we believe in ourselves, it radiates outward. Our mindset influences how we care for our patients. If we show resilience and hope, we help them believe they can overcome their own health challenges too.
I won’t pretend it’s easy. There are days I feel completely depleted. I miss my kids. I miss home. But then I look back at everything I’ve already overcome, and I remember that our minds are capable of more than we give them credit for. The weight may be real but so is the strength within us.
To anyone out there feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure—you are not alone. And more importantly, you are capable. With time, purpose, and belief in yourself, what feels impossible today will become your reality tomorrow.