Question:
My finances, grades and health all seem to be spiraling out of control at once. I cry every time I think about any of it. I feel like I've become pessimistic and annoying to those around me. I was wondering if you could point me toward some resources.
Response 1:
Sorry to hear things are spiraling. Trying to deal with all of it is definitely overwhelming. Have you tried emailing RxPRN directly to meet with a mentor? I think sitting down with a third party/peer to help organize your thoughts could be really beneficial. The email address is uwrxprn@gmail.com.
Other resources available:
On Campus Resources
Counselling Services
519-888-4567 ext. 32655
https://uwaterloo.ca/counselling-services/
(Dave Mackay comes to the School of Pharmacy every other Tuesday.
You can request an appointment with him if don't want to go to campus!)
Health Services
519-888-4096
https://uwaterloo.ca/health-services/
AccessAbility Services
519-888-4567 ext. 35082
https://uwaterloo.ca/disability-services/
Student Success Office
519-888-4567 ext. 84410
https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/
Online and Community Resources
Good2Talk
Ontario Post-Secondary
Student Helpline
1-866-925-5454
http://good2talk.ca
Walk-in Counselling
No appt necessary
KW Counselling
480 Charles St E.
Thursdays 12 noon – 6 pm
If you’re concerned about writing exams, you can ask for accommodations, whether that be writing in a separate room, being given more time etc. Talking to professors can be intimidating at first; but all the staff at the school want everyone to be successful.
When things are out of your control it is easy to become pessimistic. When stress and emotions are elevated, your body reacts as if everything is an emergency. Take a deep breath, and break down each problem into smaller ones. Workout a plan, and address things as they come.
Good2Talk provides all sorts of counseling and they can help you develop a plan via the phone.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself and do things you enjoy. Hope this helps you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to RxPRN, we are here to listen and help anyway we can.
Take care.
Response 2:
Keep your head up!! It’s hard to maintain a positive view, especially when assignments, exams, and studying are all tumbling our way. One thing to remember, is that these trying times will end and that we have breaks (co-op!) in between!
Financially - Pharmacy has definitely dug a giant hole into our pockets, but at UWaterloo, we are truly fortunate to be able to have 4 months between school when we can earn money (I tend to hear a lot of UToronto student complain about this!). And if you’re nearing your graduation, then even better, because you’ll be earning a pharmacist’s wage soon! Co-op is when a majority of us save up money for paying off debts, saving for a car, or saving for the vacation you’ve been planning all term long! If you are really struggling, look to your family for help, or take a student line of credit (those PIC sessions have certainly helped a lot!). With a student line of credit, you take out the money (an amount they pre-approve you for) whenever you want! However, this doesn’t mean that you’re automatically owing that amount of money - you will only owe whichever amount you take out of that account. Interest does accumulate, but contact your local banks for their interest rate (typically around 3%), and most banks do have a special student line of credit just for professional programs (ie. pharmacy, optometry, medicine, engineering). Remember: you’re in a professional program. Tuition and living expenses add up, but knowing what your financial options are will make you not only a smarter student, but will also lift a giant load off your shoulders! (Also, remember to apply for OSAP & BURSARIES!! Apply at the beginning of each term of school - UWaterloo can be generous with their bursaries, depending on your level of need!)
Grades - The only person you should ever compare with is yourself! Class averages on midterms will only help you in terms of what you should focus on, but self-improvement is what will make you a successful learner. How you do on one midterm doesn’t reflect how great of a pharmacist you’ll be. Throughout the terms, you start to realize what type of learner you are; Professor Lillie’s communications class does teach you more about yourself than you realize - are you a visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learner? Recall one test when you did exceptionally well, and think back to how you studied for that. Grab a buddy and study in a fishbowl together, or get a white board and recite what you have memorized and refer back to that cheat sheet you made. One thing to remember, is that nothing worth getting ever comes easily - this goes especially for professional programs. If all those medications were easy to learn, then any person on the streets would be able to wear a white coat. That being said, you absolutely should not reprimand yourself for a difficult term or a poor mark. What matters it that you graduate, and gain a new set of knowledge when you start practicing as a pharmacist! Remember, this is only 4 years of your life; study hard, look ahead, and know there is a great profession waiting for us to enter!
Don’t forget about your professors. They all want their students to do well; no professor wants to fail a student - they were all students at one point after all. If you’re struggling, speak to them, and ask them how you can do well on their exams. I know it can be intimidating at first, but remember, we are all human, and their children will eventually become students too!
Health - Not eating well and feeling physically weak is, unfortunately, a general symptom of being a pharmacy student. I’ve personally found OPA’s Goodlife membership to be especially therapeutic. They have a location in Downtown Kitchener that’s about 10 minutes from the school, and also a very large facility in Waterloo. Find some time (perhaps after exams) and try out their classes, or sign up for a local yoga class. Join a pharmacy sports team, or ask your classmates what activities they enjoy doing! With our sedentary student lives, we have to take time off and go do a physical activity. Take breaks while you study!! Stand up and stretch, or go for a swim in UWaterloo’s PAC Pool (they have many recreational swim times!). Also, try to purchase more groceries, rather than buying out - Kitchener’s farmer’s market sells some very fresh and delicious non-processed foods or Zehrs Tuesdays (when students get 10% off when they show their WatCard). If you are low on cash, UWaterloo campus has a UW Food Bank (http://www.feds.ca/foodbank/) where students/professors/anyone can donate to, and students can get canned foods or boxed snacks from them for free! They are located in SLC 2104, and don’t worry, it is completely confidential!
One phrase I’ve personally tried to repeat to myself during tough times, is that all stress is counterproductive. When you’re stressed out, think about the next, most important thing you have coming up. This will help you prioritize (be it from school or non-school related) the things that need your attention the most, and makes tackling work a lot easier. And cheer up, you’re almost there!