Sarah Adly is a final-year PharmD candidate at the St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
The struggle of navigating a demanding workload, maintaining relationships with family and friends, and trying to keep your GPA or extracurriculars from faltering is real. Yep, I am referring to the daily grind of pharmacy school, which entails a delicate balance between fulfilling academic obligations and preserving emotional equilibrium. It is crucial that student pharmacists feel like they are achieving their professional and personal goals without also experiencing burnout, as that will lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, really putting a damper on their well-being.
The adage “work hard, play harder” emulates my approach to mitigating stress and rejuvenating amid the rigors of pharmacy school. While that is easier said than done, I try to embrace leisure activities that foster relaxation and joy, such as travel and camping.
Use your time management skills
Traveling allows for moments of tranquility and exploration, whether that is a quick weekend trip to Nashville with friends or flying off to an island to indulge in a tropical retreat. I know what you are thinking: how do I possibly have the time to travel? That will come with the enhanced time management skills that you are currently developing and perfecting amid all the competing deadlines. Take advantage of your time and do things early to avoid that unnecessary procrastination headache. Use your time wisely to refine your study tools and prepare for the exam or project.
Be a happy camper
Similarly, camping offers a serene retreat into nature that’s free from the distractions of technology and the pressures of school. I always make it a point to go camping with both pharmacy and nonpharmacy friends, but we have a rule to not talk about school or work and instead focus on other aspects of our lives. With camping, there are definitely many places to go within your state or within neighboring states. Since I live in the northeast, I try and go camping within the spring/summer timeframe due to weather constraints, but do not let the weather hinder what could be an amazing experience for you!
If you prefer the warmer weather, you can always go camping in a warmer state, or you can rent out a log cabin with your friends and go glamping in your own state. Being from New Jersey, my favorite place to go camping is in Allaire State Park, but I have also been camping in Coolidge State Park in Vermont.
Make time for self-care
People have different ways of dealing with stress, but the most important thing is that you seize the day and enjoy it. Pharmacy school flies by! Make sure to take advantage of opportunities for self-care—after all, how can you attend to the copious number of things on your to-do list and care for others if you yourself are not in the healthiest state of mind? You simply cannot.
It is imperative that you navigate pharmacy school with resilience and grace, ensuring not only academic success, but also personal well-being along the way. Step out of your comfort zone and explore a new hobby—your mind, body, and soul will thank you!