Hi , Im attending Texas southern University to start my pre reqs in pre pharm are there any tips for success in the first two years? Ive seen several tips for people going to actual pharmacy school but not the students who are just now stepping into the college world in general. any tips, advice, or experiences are greatly appreciated and valued.
Tips on making it through 2+4 program right out of Highschool.
- Thread starter PTiger21
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Have a somewhat clear idea of where you'd like to be. Work toward it. Overload your schedule (16+ credits) to show schools you have the capability to handle the load. Find a job and/or volunteer. Study abroad because you will never have that opportunity during pharmacy school.
Pick cheap state schools to apply to and see what scores/GPA you need to keep you motivated when everyone else is livin' it up. Debt sucks.
Prepare
Execute
Have a somewhat clear idea of where you'd like to be. Work toward it. Overload your schedule (16+ credits) to show schools you have the capability to handle the load. Find a job and/or volunteer. Study abroad because you will never have that opportunity during pharmacy school.
Pick cheap state schools to apply to and see what scores/GPA you need to keep you motivated when everyone else is livin' it up. Debt sucks.
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Prepare and don't lose sight of your goal. They are going to try and weed you out the first two years. GET A GOOD GPA. One bad grade, hurts your GPA badly. Don't forget that.
Thanks for the responses I will keep all of that in mind. it seems that TSU has a preset schedule for its pre pharm students and freshman year you have around 17-18 credit hours per week plus required summer classes. The work load will be full indeed. but Will i be able to balance a job with that many classes ? (8)
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Yes. I went through full time school with full time job. You should definitely be able to. You don't have to get a full time job if you don't need the money. A part time pharm tech job would be most ideal and you should study for the exam and get your license before school so you don't have to worry about that. But pharm tech jobs can be hard to come by. Easiest would be just to volunteer at a hospital pharmacy for a few hours a week.
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You don't have to work a crapload of hours every week. I know people in pharmacy school who work once a week, or once every couple weeks. I know others who work 30+ hours or are parents. Depends on you. What's most important is that you have a job, have hobbies, and volunteer - not simply for pharmacy school, but for your own self-development as well.
Think about it this way - if you can't handle a job while studying in pre-pharmacy years, how will you handle it when you enter pharmacy school?
Very Good Point. Volunteering sounds like a good idea but id honestly rather get paid somewhere its always good to have money in your pocket. Ill have to look around for pharm tech jobs in Houston which will be delayed, since I live in Dallas until I move there for school
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Hi. I go to TSU as well going to be a sophomore. I'm actually applying for the TSU COPHS this fall too.
Here was my freshman year:
I took 18 hours Fall 2014, and 17 hours Spring 2015
Mind you, I am a full time student, I commute to school, and I do not have any part time job. All I did was study study study! My GPA is above a 3.7 and I'm also going to take the PCAT in September as well. Right now, I'm taking summer classes totaling up to 13 credit hours for Summer 2015. I'm actually going to finish up my Summer II in a few days. Adding everything all up, so far, I have 48 credit hours.
All I can say from this, is that IT. IS. A. LOT. OF. WORK.
GPA's, having a good standing in class, knowing your professors, your TA's, AND EVEN YOUR DEANS. Go out and beyond their expectations and let yourself shine through your academics and also your extracurricular you have in school and maybe even out of school.
The 2 + 4 plan is very much achievable, BUT it's a lot of freakin hard work. I'm not going to lie, but especially applying to my summer classes, I'm extremely stressed. Sometimes, I feel like all of these classes in summer aren't worth it. Just please, do good in all your classes.
I can't stress this enough, go HAM sandwich all the way in your classes. Sit in front of the class, ask questions. By the time a few months roll around in the semester, your professors learn your name without you even introducing yourself.
My lowest grade is a C (from summer classes actually) and that was Texas Gov haha
How is sophomore year? Well, since I'm going to be a sophomore, I can't really say anything yet until I actually go through it, BUT it is freakin pact as well. I'm going to take both 18 hours for Fall and Spring semesters. Classes will be completely different along with their own work (Anatomy, physics, and organic chem Fall semester). Just looking at those three classes, I can already tell I'll have 5 hour sleep every night for the rest of 2015.
THE ONLY DOWNSIDE OF TAKING SO MANY CLASSES and I think this is just me in my situation, but I never was a pharm tech or anything like that. My advisors in school DID NOT PUT ME IN ANY PRE-PHARMACY ELECTIVE IN MY FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS, and they were pharmacy advisors as well.
If I were to go back in time to last year when I was a freshman, even before when I was still in HS, what I would change is the fact that you need to gain the experience in the pharmacy field. Even though you are marketable by your GPA and your grades, what they also look for is the experience you have in the field.
All I can say (for your freshman year) is go HAM sandwich, make yourself marketable, and make sure your goal (becoming a pharmacist) is solid and this is what you want to do for a living when you graduate.
Good luck! And sorry for my poor grammar if there was any.
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