Liz Cherinka is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and the 2024–2025 APhA–ASP Region 2 Regional Delegate.
As a student pharmacist, hobbies often get pushed aside until the summer when you have some real free time. The busy class, work, and extracurricular activities schedules can be too overwhelming to think about doing something to relax. You have been pushed to be on “go” all the time, but this just causes increased stress and burnout. Taking a break every once in a while to do something you enjoy can actually be beneficial to your ability to excel in your other activities and classes.
Feeling crafty
I have personally fallen victim to being caught up in the hard work of a semester that I never pick up a book to read for fun, work on a small craft project, or bake some cupcakes. Crafting has always been my favorite activity to do when I want to relax and unwind. It may seem obvious that I would want to craft to relax during the stress of pharmacy school, but I rarely do. I prioritize work and school over my well-being, and I am sure I am not the only student pharmacist who does this from time to time.
In my first 2 years of college, I worked for the school newspaper and wrote a craft column. My articles were basically “assignments,” so I would fill out my planner and to-do list for the week with time dedicated to completing the craft. This “assignment” practically forced me to do something I loved and something that was very relaxing to me.
My friends and I would get together on random nights and do crafts. Since we planned this in advance, I would adjust my work and school schedule around that time so I could attend. This advanced scheduling allowed me to focus on doing something I enjoy while also spending time with friends.
Make time in your schedule
What these experiences taught me is that “assigning” myself time to do relaxing activities is helpful in making sure I am giving myself the time I need. As a busy student, you can often put off the hobbies that you enjoy to give you more time to study. If I add self-care time to my planner or to-do list, it makes me motivated to complete it. It becomes something I “need” to do, rather than “want” to do. It basically tricks my brain into thinking that it is mandatory.
Of course, self-care is not “mandatory,” and it should not become something that causes more stress. This strategy might not work for everyone, but I have found it to be beneficial to decreasing my overall stress levels and prioritizing myself over school. Hobbies should not be something that you push away until you do not have any more assignments or studying to do. You can give yourself time in your schedule to make sure you continue to do the things you enjoy.