Pharmacy school and other responsibilities! Help

[Phrozen1]

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While most pharmacy students haven't yet experience having multiple responsibilities such children, car/rent payments ect. I wanted to know if there are any pharmacy students that have responsibilities as such and are still able to manage these responsibilities without a job seeing that it is recommended that one focuses on school and avoid working while on this endeavor! How do u manage to provide for a family or pay a car payment without any source of income? Are you allowed these expenses in financial? Is it even possible to have such obligations and attend pharmacy school?!? I'm really worried my obligation to my house and car in particular will halt my dream of entering pharmacy school! Please help Pharm Pham !

 

[vaughnpereira]

I'm very aware of the responsibilities you speak of. I'm 27, married, have two children (14 month old and a 5 year old), will be taking 13 semester hours in the Spring while working full-time. I was working like a slave for at least 50 hours per week the entire month of November but luckily got hired on at Walgreens as a Pharmacy Tech for 40 hours per week and I start tomorrow.

Not having a job is not an option for me. With two young children and a spouse that makes $10/hour, car insurance, utilities, gas, food, shelter, baby sitter, car maintenance, credit cards, internet, phone bills, etc... I've worked consistently since I was 14 years old, not including mowing lawns at 10 years old, because I've always wanted to have my own money. Just the thought of not having a job just sounds weird to me. Although, last semester, I got a big slap in the face when my work load/school load/family life collided as there were no more hours in the day and I ended up having to drop a class... It really upset me. I've since moved on and will be re-taking that class in the Spring.

What I'm saying is, if you can get away with not working while in school, that would be ideal as you could focus all (maybe not all, but most...) of your time on studying and/or homework. I have a good friend who was an LPN then moved up to an RN. He went and got married and had two children with a women whom was also an RN. He decided he wanted to go back to school to become a PA so she kept working as an RN, let him stop working and she also took care of the kids and also had someone help with the kids at times. Needless to say, he is now, and has been for a couple years, a PA and she doesn't work anymore and watches the kids all day since they can now afford that. I'm sure they did ok as she made pretty good money as an RN and didn't have to pay for child care, and I'm sure he had money saved up as well...

Anyway, what I'm saying is, anything is possible. You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to and I live by those beliefs. In other words, I have no other choice... That's ok though, what doesn't kill me will make me stronger.

Best of luck to you on your future endeavors.

 

[phathead]

My son was born last year in between the fall and spring semester of first year. Add on the fact that I am fulling supporting our family (with outragous daycare rates for young ones, it's not worth my wife working) I have been averaging at least 30 hours a week during pharm school.

I actually worked about 35 hours a week during undergrad as well, so I've learned how to manage my time pretty well over the years.

When my son was born the dean of my school told me she did not expect me to graduate since school could not longer be my sole focus. I have been in FU mode sense then, determined to prove them wrong.

It's hard and you make a lot of sacrifices. I never do anything with friends (we're also 6+ hours from friends and family) and I haven't so much as had a drink in almost a year. Then again, having an 11 month old will do that as well, but still.

It can be done, you just have to have priorities and be able to manage your time.

 

[Notecard]

I have been in FU mode sense then

Lemme have some of that👍

A girl in our class had a baby a month ago and she was gone two days? It's her second... I don't even know how it's possible to do that with work/school and keep good grades. I'm having enough trouble focusing with the new COD recently coming out.

I'd say probably a fourth of our class is in your boat OP. Seems like EVERYONE is married and/or has kids. It really isn't uncommon at all. Each person is different and can take on a different amount of responsibilities and handles it in their own way. If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way.

 

[Phrozen1]

Now I can breathe a little easier thanks to you guys now atleast I know that it is possible to handle obligations and attend pharmacy school, you guys should me motivational speakers because I'm so motivated right now, my situation is nothing compared to you guys! I'm 23 and have been working since I was 17 at a pharmaceutical plant in which since 18 I have been workin 12 hour shifts and balancing school. I have no kids and beside bills, no real obligations. You guys on the other hand make me feel like should not even parted my lips to ask that question! I can't say enough how inspirational your responses were to me, thanks for the insight and may god keep blessing you guys on your journeys! Keep up the good work!

 

[kcwang]

Or you can save up money by taking a year or two off, which is what I was doing.

vaughnpereira (Superman), I am impressed that you still can go to school full time with work and TWO KIDS. 👍

 

[Andy62]

I am 33, a P2, have 4 kids and one due any day. Our car is paid off from the sale of our home along with every other debt except student loans. Our school allows us to take loans out to pay for rent, gas, groceries, etc but it still is very tight. We are also using some public assistance to help pay for food and health insurance for our kids. We saved up and paid out of pocket for this upcoming birth however. My wife worked last year but will stay home now with our newborn. It all works out. I am blessed that I can focus on my studies, donate plasma when it works out (about $250/month), and still get through school. Our student loan debt will be our first priority to pay off once I am working again and I know it will take several years. It is all calculated risk but I love that I can still spend some time with my kids and wife while balancing school and other responsibilities.