Question for Western U (Pomona)students

[pharmy]

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Hi,

I was wondering what the first year of pharmacy school is like. Are you able to miss a lot of lectures? Do they post the lectures on the web? I have a newborn baby and want to know in case something comes up and I can't come to class everyday. Also, what are the exam schedules like? Do you have a test or quiz everyday? Do you have group meetings everyday?

Thank you!

 

[DrgsRmyLife]

First year isnt that bad. You can miss lectures as long as you keep up with it. there are though a lot of group work, and missing meetings and stuff are based a lot on your group dynamic. Some of your memebrs may not care if yo miss while others may. The first year is also like you typical undergrad, it isnt really a block systmen until your second year. In your second year is where missing class probably isnt the best idea becuse you will miss a lot of stuff. Anyways I hope that helps and welcome to western.

 

[pharmy]

thanks a lot for the info! i don't plan on missing a lot of lectures, but just in case of an emergency.

what do you do in the group meetings and how often do they meet a week?

how are the exams and stuff in first year? are they hard? and are lectures posted on the web ?

 

[suckawucka]

Missing class occasionally is okay... I personally didn't do it since I tend learn better when someone is lecturing. Others missed a lot of class and still managed to do okay. Some claimed that attending class actually did more harm than good. But that's really up to the person.

For the group meetings, it's generally doing some research (PubMed, LexiComp, etc) and writing up a paper. The meetings are generally up to the group members to decide. There are generally 6 people per group so it's up to the 6 of you to coordinate when and how much you need to meet up. My group liked to work on most of the parts together and tie a few loose ends later over email if needed. Other groups like to send each person home with something to do and piece everything together later. So like DrgsRmyLife mentioned, it really depends on your group dynamics. Another thing, group work is not required in all classes. Sometimes, there may only be one or two assignments that require group work and that, again, depends on the class.

Exams... hum... they can be hard... depends on the class and how much you study. For me, immunology sucked eggs. But that's just me.

Lectures are generally posted at least 24 hours before the actual lecture day. I'm not sure if it's school policy or if it's an unspoken rule, but if the lectures are not posted within 24 hours of the lecture time, the professors will bring hard copies to class. Lectures, assignments, exam grades, etc. are generally posted on blackboard so you can download and print everything out as needed.

Hope that helps! Congrats!! See you in the fall!

 

[Hammrhage]

to address the test portion, in the first semester quizzes and tests are taken once a week but once you hit second semester you will have quizzes/tests or a combination of them twice or three times a week. though that sounds like alot, it actually helps you keep up w/ the lecture instead of cramming at the end. DON'T show up LATE to quizzes/tests, its a bad idea as some quizzes are so simple folks can blazed through it in 5minutes and once they leave the room you cannot take the test if you are not already in the room.


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so, i can figure out who suckawucka is based on your AiM... but whos drRmy?... as for me, ill give you guys a hint: i sit in the front row (BAD IDEA, im switching to the backrow in the fall)

 

[suckawucka]

hum... okay that still leaves like 30 people possible... lol

 

[pharmy]

thanks for all the info!!! so helpful!

 

[DrgsRmyLife]

Well I have no idea who sucka or hamm is.....as for me i sat in the cave and a guy.....that should tell u almost exactely who i am..hahah