Question:
On one of the last IPFC exams, I did quite poorly and I'm very worried that I will not be able to continue on with my class. are grades really important to getting coop jobs in the future? if I do not pass which seems likely right now, what do I do until the next year?
Response 1:
I understand that there might be a lot of thoughts running through your mind right now. I would recommend focusing on the issue at hand instead of worrying about the worst possible outcomes. This is can be difficult and may be easier said than done but RxPRN mentors can help you over the next coming weeks with upcoming exams.
I would start off with meeting up with your IPFC professor to discuss your status in the class. You can ask to review your old midterms to identify where you can improve for the final exam, and ask them any questions related to the course material. Explain your position/situation to the professor and accept any advice they give you to proceed onwards. I want you to try your best to succeed at this IPFC. But to tell you the truth, I have seen classmates being held back a year and they were still able to obtain amazing co-op jobs and are still able to do well academically. Some classmates took time off until courses were offered again, and others found part-time or even full-time work in the pharmacy field (which was great for their resume). Try to focus on your current academic work and do not feel shy to ask for help from professors, classmates, upper year students or RxPRN mentors. All the best!
Response 2:
I’m sorry to hear about your IPFC exam. It is very hard when you are unsure of what is going to happen in the future. The best thing to do right now is to review your past exams, and speak to the professor(s) for that course. They are not as scary as they may seem (speaking from experience). Ask other students in your class if you can study with them in a group. Everyone in the group has something different to contribute and talking things out usually helps the material stick a bit more. Study your best for the upcoming final and take it from there.
To address your questions on what happens if someone does not pass IPFC, I can fill you in with what I know. First off, it’s okay to feel upset and frustrated. There are times when things do not go as planned. But the best thing to do is to accept what has happened and learn from it. In the past, when students are unable to continue on with their year they are given the opportunity to come up with an academic plan on how they will complete their degree. Majority of the time this means taking IPFC when it is offered again, and having to modify your schedule. I know of students who worked part-time while in classes (since it was a lighter course load), and others who took a work term until they can restart the stream with the next class. Whatever the case may be, it’s been done before and there is no reason to go through it alone.
I don’t think co-op jobs have ever been affected by a student’s grade. There are many reasons why someone may not do well in a class (health issues, life circumstances etc), and as long as there are other skills evident and the drive to improve then it will not be an issue.
Don’t forget that there are RxPRN mentors (rxprn@sophs.ca) available for one-on-one talk, as well as counseling services (519-888-4567 ext 32655) for more support. Take a deep breath, you will pull through.