I've heard how stressful pharm school is. My question is, do you get summers off?

I realize that you need to fulfill a certain number of hours working in retail during the summers. But you would be much more relaxed during summers than the school year correct? You could go out to bars and lead something more resembling a normal life during the summers in order to recuperate for the upcoming year.

For example, Campbell U finishes May 2nd. And they have almost 4 weeks for winter vacation. That's almost 5 months in which you aren't in school. Is this correct? This would help a lot in dealing with the stress of school. Thank for your help!

I believe most, if not all pharm schools get the summers off.

UF gives you the summer off between years 1 & 2 and years 2 & 3. You are on rotations the summer between years 3 & 4.

We get a generous 17 days before starting the next semester in January. I still have 10 days left, thank God. Spring semester is better, because we get a week off for spring break.

I believe the first two years we have summers off and then 3 to 4 we are on rotations.

It really depends on the school. We got just over 2 weeks for Christmas break. The first summer is free, but the second summer you have to do some sort of rotation, though I don't think its the whole summer. The third summer is all rotations.

does this help to recuperate from the stress of the fast-paced semesters?

For example in undergrad, if you have really bad semesters, the 4 months off in summer really help.

Are the summers stressful at all? Are rotations relatively easy (you can still party and have fun) or is it almost as bad as the school year?