October is Pharmacists Month | Let’s Celebrate Together!
Every October, we celebrate pharmacists with Pharmacists Month! Today I’m sharing a guest blog post by P4 Student at Thomas Jefferson University – Jefferson College of Pharmacy, Punam Patel, founder/editor of The College Catwalk Blog.
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Guest Blog: How to Balance Pharmacy School & Blogging
When you think of a pharmacy student, “social media influencer” or “blogger” are not some terms that come to mind. I get it, a pharmacy student must be devoted to science, buried 5-feet deep into their books, and constantly have their world revolve around all-things pharmacy. These stereotypes could not be furthest from the truth—except for our love of science, I mean c’mon healthcare has come such a long way due to some groundbreaking advances!
I started a blog/website a few weeks after I received my acceptance letter to my dream pharmacy school. One thing I should address from the beginning is that obtaining an education is one of the most important thing to me. Blogging to many followers and readers may seem like a “glamorous” lifestyle, but I truly believe that my education and anticipated Pharm.D. degree are unmatched and will always be.
Being enrolled in an extremely rigorous doctorate program was initially tough when it came to staying current with my blog. I found myself losing inspiration and becoming overwhelmed, even when I was approached with some wonderful opportunities. Now being in my fourth year of pharmacy school, I can truly say that I have learned a thing or two about balancing my life as a pharmacy student and blogger.
Understand That You Must Work for It!
I put this as the top of my list because if you expect it to come easy, you will be incredibly upset when you finally realize that it doesn’t. This attitude can create unnecessary stress and overwhelm you when it comes to school.
Most bloggers can tell you that a great deal of work and time goes behind your product and though it is not a career to me, I can truly say that the challenges coupled with my personal growth gave me the drive to progress. It is easier said than done and there is no textbook or PowerPoint that can grant you success with blogging. I like to compare it to my pharmacy school journey — work hard to get there and work hard to stay there!
Stay Inspired
I remember some of the hardest semesters in school as if they were yesterday. Initially, it was easy for me to fall into a library dump and forget about the outside world. However, what I did not realize at the time was that I was only hurting myself. As a student, living a monotonous life with only studying can be draining and it’s important to exercise the other half of your brain. While being cocooned in the library, I would try to push my books aside for a fleeting moment, and attempt to write a blog post. However, my fingers would not type! It was simply because I had lost inspiration. Staying inspired was not only important for the blog but also for myself. I reminded myself about the importance of thinking outside the box, and that mindset got my gears turning! My inspiration comes from my closet (I know, it sounds silly!), researching latest trends, TED talks, and browsing retail websites, magazines, and other blogs.
Be Organized and Always Plan!
Running your own website while being enrolled in a rigorous graduate program comes with the need for discipline. Followers and brands rely on you to put out your best content and be the best version of yourself. This may seem exhausting, but publishing your best product should be the expectation. To help me juggle both blogging and pharmacy school, modifying my lifestyle and becoming a more organized student helped reduce the stress load.
It is mind boggling as to how effective it is to jot down your mental notes and tasks and visually view your calendar and to-do list every day.
One Christmas, my sister bought me the Happy 365 Planner (I recommend it, btw) and it has been my right-hand wo-man ever since! Around my classes and schoolwork, I like to schedule even my shortest time-blocks for blogging tasks such as picking out clothes to style, organizing a quick flat-lay, responding to emails, starting a post, or even doing a quick photoshoot down the street. Staying organized has allowed me to tackle even the smallest tasks during the shortest time frames, that would have otherwise been wasted. Productivity is key and time is money!
Surround Yourself with Supporters
I lived on campus, in the heart of Washington Square, Philadelphia during the first 3 years of pharmacy school. This meant that those around me, in class or down the street were my fellow classmates and friends. Running a lifestyle blog was not something that everyone understood.
But I can genuinely say that I have friends, who may not have fully understood why I was doing a great deal of behind-the-scenes work for one post, picture, or collaboration, but they’d always support me and offer to help in any way they could! I had friends who would take study breaks to take my pictures in a small alley near the library. Friends that would voluntarily say “wow, this place is so cool, do you want a picture to share with your followers?” and friends who would encourage me pursue my passion and remind me that it was unique and made me “me”. This is what pushed me through some days. Do not expect everyone in pharmacy school to understand what blogging is, but having a great support system that just understands your passion and rigorous program is best feeling in the world when you are trying to juggle both lives.
About the Author:
My name is Punam Patel, I’m a Pharmacy Student at Thomas Jefferson College of Pharmacy, currently in my fourth year of school. I blog atThe College Catwalk. I am a beauty and all-things-fashion fanatic, french-fry enthusiast, and a 4th-year pharmacy student! Something I love more than high-quality items and affordable prices are high-quality items for affordable prices!
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Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP is the CEO of Clarify, Simplify, Align and Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast. Dr. Louie uses her signature Burnout Doctor Method to coach burned out pharmacists & professionals to simplify because work-life balance is a LIE. Align work into your life & break free from people pleasing, perfectionism and thrive in life on YOUR TERMS.