Question:
I've moved a long way from home since starting pharmacy and I think it's putting a lot of strain of my family and relationships from back home. What can I do if I can't get a co-op back home?
Response:
This is definitely a toughie! Being close to your family/friends/other loved ones can be a challenge when you move cities for school. Many of us do try and find a co-op position back home as it does make things easier for our relationships. There are a few things that can be said to address your concern:
1) Keep in mind that you are in a transition state and that being away from home right now is likely a strain. This may normalize and you and your loved ones may get used to the distance. Sometimes it just takes time to adjust and have our relationships adapt to the distance. That being said, it is not easy, and sometimes trying for a co-op at home is the best tactic.
2) Talk to your loved ones about the challenges and about what you can do to make things better. Pharmacy school is challenging and it is hard to balance all facets of life and keep everyone in your life happy. The reality is that you may have to sacrifice some aspects of life while you are in school and co-op and it is up to you to decide what that means. Depending on how your relationships work, you may have to discuss that with your loved ones and state that this is what you are dealing with for the next few years. Discuss with them what you can do to help make things easier, and don’t be afraid to ask them for support and understanding.
3) Getting a co-op in a specific geographic location can be challenging, especially if it is in a high demand area or in a location where there aren’t many jobs posted on jobmine. Take a look at your priorities and what you have at your disposal - e.g. if you have a car, or if there is a bus that gets you easily to your hometown. Try and find a co-op in a city in which it is easy to go home most weekends.
If this answer is not specific enough to your needs, feel free to repost a more specific question. Alternatively, you can contactRxPRN@sophs.ca to speak with the author of this response or with another Peer. Hope it was helpful!