Question:
I'm in rx2018 and I am really worried about the pharm 124 pharmaceutics lab. I honestly just don't think I am good in the lab (compounding is just not for me) and I always seem to mess up. This is really hurting my confidence when in lab. I don't know what to do and it scares me because the lab practicals are 30% of my mark.
Thanks
Response 1:
First off, we would like to sincerely apologize for the late response. We are taking steps to improve the monitoring and response times for our online forum. We are very sorry that this advice did not find you sooner, but hope that it will make pharmaceutics part 2 a little less stressful.
In terms of what to do for the next semester, I would highly recommend asking Josie for help. She is a very nice person who is always willing to help and wants her students to do well. I have talked to her on a few occasions and she has always had good tips for me. Start by explaining what specifically you are having trouble with, this will help Josie narrow down on things to help you with. Another idea might be to get a lab bench beside someone you know that is good at compounding and take the opportunity during practice labs to learn from how they do things. Don’t be discouraged when you do make a mistake (especially in practice labs!) because school is the best place for you to learn from your mistakes. When the mistake does happen, try to analyze what exactly you did wrong and how you would avoid it in the future. If you take the time to analyze it, you will for sure remember not to repeat it the second time around. Finally, as said in the answer above, during the practical try to take things at a steady pace and don’t panic (take some deep breaths). Most mistakes are often made not because you don’t know something but because you panic and forget to do certain things. Hope this helps!
Response 2:
Luckily, compounding will be over soon (unless you take it as an elective), but in the meantime, perhaps you can visit Josie during her office hours or send her an email. I am sure she can give you some tips on how to improve or explain specific concepts more thoroughly. During the practicals (and practice labs), take a deep breath and try not to get overwhelmed by the time or grades. Focus on one step at a time and take your time with each one. If you rush, you may overlook things and make more mistakes. It is best to make mistakes during the practice labs so that you know what to watch out for in the practical. Go over the labs with your colleagues beforehand so that you fully understand the procedure and know the roles of the ingredients. Feeling more prepared may give you a boost of confidence before the practical. Don’t be too discouraged by your mistakes, just be sure to learn from them and you will surely improve. Best of luck!