Preparing for pharm school

[candle786]

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Hey everyone,

If you guys could go back and do something different before actually attending pharmacy school, what would you have done? I mean anything, like reading up on specific subjects (biochem, orgo, etc.),saving up more money, working more at a pharmacy, working as a pharm tech, anything at all.

Thanks 🙂

 

[GravyRPH]

I would have enjoyed my undergrad years a bit more. Stopped to smell the flowers or the beer kegs, if you will.

 

[lilmk]

Originally posted by GravyRPH
I would have enjoyed my undergrad years a bit more. Stopped to smell the flowers or the beer kegs, if you will.

that's exactly what i was gonna say.

candle, ask your school if they recommend reading up on anything. otherwise, just relax.

 

[candle786]

I just graduated with my b.s. in bio but I really don't remember a lot of things (especially a lot of ochem). That's why I was asking. It seems like some classes in pharm school are very very hard and I was just wondering if I should get a "head start" on any, if I had time (which I do).

 

[GravyRPH]

Microbio helped me a lot. If you didn't take any micro, maybe brush up on that. If you already took a class, don't worry about it.

I would enjoy some recreational reading while you can. After you get in, you won't have time to read a "fun" book for 4 long years.

 

[candle786]

Ok. I never took microbio or biochem (which is dicussed a lot on these boards). I'll make sure to read up on those two (If i get in anywhere). anything else?

 

[chunkyb]

If I could re-do everything....................................

I would have applied to pharmacy school earlier instead of wasting my money and years finishing up my b.s. degree.

Unlike the other folks above, I would have kept all those kegs sealed until pharmacy school began. With all my extra time, I should have learned a new language, some new magic tricks, or how to breakdance.

 

[lilmk]

Originally posted by candle786
anything else?

again, if you've already received an acceptance somewhere, call that school and ask the same question to them. i think they'll be able to guide you a little better cuz every school is different.

 

[candle786]

Actually i'm preparing to apply next fall (for fall of 2005).

 

[jemc2000]

Have you chosen what schools you are applying to?

 

[baggywrinkle]

Learned how to study before jumping into the fire

 

[lilmk]

Originally posted by candle786
Actually i'm preparing to apply next fall (for fall of 2005).

ooooooh. i see. candle, then call the schools you are planning to apply to and ask for a list of prereqs. you mentioned that you never took microbio and biochem. some schools do require those classes in order to be admitted so it won't be a matter of just reading up but rather registering at the local community college or university to fulfill those requirements.

as far as reading up on ochem goes...well you might wanna wait till your first year begins to see if you actually even need to. if the prof is going over something that you feel you need to brush up, then you can go ahead and dig out your ochem book for a quick review. otherwise, there's no point in going over all that stuff again at this point in time.

good luck.

 

[Triangulation]

Originally posted by baggywrinkle
Learned how to study before jumping into the fire

Amen to that!!!! I dorked around waaaay too much as an undergrad and I didn't even really have fun (long distance gf's big no-no)

Get more experiential experience be it in a lab or pharmacy setting. Don't restrict yourself to something directly in pharmacy. there are a ton of humanities type fields that pharmacy encompasses: econ, business, law, international affairs, policy. These would give you an excellent background for distinguishing yourself.

I think a key is for you to explore and see if there is something out there that you have a passion for and tie it to pharmacy. I personally think that's a more safe bet than waiting till pharmacy school to see what they present to you. A pharmd degree is more plastic than any other health care degree in terms of fields and careers.

 

[jemc2000]

Do you have any suggestions on how to learn how to study? I know that was my downfall 20 years ago. I do not want to make the same mistake twice. So any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[GravyRPH]

See baggy's post here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92567

 

[jemc2000]

In undergrad, if you could only take microbiology or biochemistry which would you choose?

 

[EarlyEditionDude]

Originally posted by jemc2000
In undergrad, if you could only take microbiology or biochemistry which would you choose?

No BUTTS about it! It has to be Biochemistry! 😀

 

[LVPharm]

Based solely on my experience, I'd take biochemistry. I had an easier time with the biochemistry stuff I had last year because I had been previously exposed to the material and knew how to study for it. My classmates who didn't take biochemistry struggled to learn the material. I've also taken microbiology and I'm about to take my "infectious diseases" class, so I'll soon see how much my micro background will help me. My guess after reading the background material in Koda-Kimble is that it won't help quite as much as biochem did.

 

[Triangulation]

Originally posted by jemc2000
Have you chosen what schools you are applying to?

Sorry, where?