Question:
Ever since getting back from co-op, I've been really lonely. It seems like everyone has a "group," and while I can almost always find people to eat lunch with or talk to during breaks, it seems like I missed finding a group in first year. Sometimes I feel like something is wrong with me and I just don't belong overall. Any advice for 1) deepening some friendships and 2) maintaining outside friendships with the pharmacy school distance/workload?
Response 1: I don’t think it is ever too late to make friendships. I find myself making new friendships and strengthening others all the time, even though I never thought that some of my classmates would be my friend. One thing I would recommend in terms of making friends is going to the school events. You will be surprised what sitting next to someone can do to foster a friendship. It is definitely difficult to maintain friendships when you are separate physically, but there is always facebook and skype. Also, try and see which of your classmates are in the same area as you for co-op and ask them to dinner or coffee or something and you can bond by whining about work. I know it can be hard, but try to put yourself out there. You are a great person and people want to be your friend.
Response 2: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there--when you’re having lunch, see if those people have plans on the weekend or like to study in groups. I honestly feel that most people that got into pharmacy school with us have some similarities to draw on for friendships! Don’t forget to take advantage of your assigned groups for lab or IPFC. Worse comes to worst, you can bond over how much you dislike anatomy or cardiology. Don’t forget, if you’re feeling alone you can always reach out to a counselor (the school of pharmacy will pay for a cab to Main Campus AND they’re getting a female counselor at our campus) or one of the peer mentors. Counselors are great sounding boards and the peer mentors can be a great starting point for finding friends.