From burnout to balance
Eva Bose is a second-year PharmD candidate at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy.
After my first semester of pharmacy school, I finally had time to reflect on my life for the first time in months. I realized that I had been putting everything related to prioritizing myself on hold while trying to adjust to pharmacy school. Slowly, I recognized that this was doing more harm than good. I could only live in survival mode for so long before the bad habits I practiced daily caught up to me.
Now, in my second year of pharmacy school, I finally feel like my life is back in balance. Taking back control of your lifestyle and schedule is never easy, but I want to share a few things I’ve learned along the way that have helped transform my routine into something I look forward to every day.
Mindset over everything
It all begins with mindset. I had to slowly let go of what was out of my control and focus on the goals I could control. I also realized that word choice is everything when reframing your mindset. One small change I made was switching from “I have to” to “I get to.” This helped me practice gratitude and appreciation for my responsibilities instead of viewing them as burdens or stressors.
Take control of your schedule instead of letting it control you
This can be difficult with all the responsibilities you have as a student. To take back control, I started treating my goals and interests with the same priority as my schoolwork and assignments. I made these items non-negotiable parts of my weekly routine.
With the time I’ve freed up in my schedule, I now have the space to try new things and prioritize my personal goals. One of my main priorities is movement. I make sure to walk daily and go to the gym consistently. I’ve started taking hot yoga classes and, most recently, began Pilates teacher training. Yoga has helped me to de-stress and disconnect a few times a week—it’s become a space for me to practice mindfulness and remind myself not to get too caught up in the little things. Teaching Pilates has become a creative outlet for me to share my passion for fitness with others and has connected me with a new community outside of school.
Strive for consistency rather than perfection
Recognize that not every day or week will be perfect—make the most of what you can. Taking each week as it comes and adjusting your routine accordingly helps alleviate stress and prevents you from feeling like you’re falling short of your own expectations.
Although I give myself flexibility each week, I find that loosely planning my tasks ahead of time provides me with more free time later. If you feel overwhelmed or like you can’t find time for yourself, I promise there is time—you just have to make it. Start by looking at your current schedule and mapping out areas where you can adjust your routine.
Adjustments may come with small sacrifices, such as changing how you use breaks between classes or adding simple habits to your daily routine that make your week easier. For me, this looks like using breaks to work on assignments, preparing the night before for the next morning, and meal prepping on weekends. Each of these small changes has compounded to make every week a little less stressful.
Comparison is the thief of joy
Most importantly, I don’t compare my routine or lifestyle to anyone else’s. Everyone is different. I do what’s best for me and prioritize what aligns with my personal goals.
This is your reminder that life goes on. School is not everything. Life doesn’t pause while you’re in pharmacy school, so start practicing the life you want to live now rather than later. You might just discover a new passion, skill, or friend along the way.