I really had to change my study strategies from when I was in undergrad. I quickly came to realize that I had less time to procrastinate and more information to go through. And no matter what, I never felt ready for an exam and almost always felt like I just needed one more day! Therefore, I put something together that may help not just pharmacy students, but it may help just any student.
Here are some helpful tips:
Outlines and Drug Charts
✅One thing that helped me was to outline each topic or disease state, and then highlighting the important information. For example, for each topic I would generally list epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. And when I mean general, I mean general. This was not much of my focus as a pharmacy student.
✅For me, it was all abut the drugs! In which, I would handwrite or type the drug charts, including the mechanism of action, side effects and anything unique that sticks out. I would then go in with different color pens and add in more information if something important was brought to my attention. All of the above information was condensed into 1-2 sheets, and provided me a quick reference. Especially, if you don't have time to go over everything again. I would take these notes everywhere and pull them out randomly and study (my study spot was the NY subway guys, I had a long commute). Example shown below.
Breaks and Coffee
✅Take breaks, especially if you find your self just staring at your notes and not retaining anything. Get some fresh air or have a cup of coffee. Coffee gave me life!
✅Group studies was always a good break. Teach back to each other, sometimes you will have a better understanding and may learn more that way.
✅ If you have multiple exams (which is always the case), try switching topics. I feel like that helped me when I couldn't take it anymore!
Note to Self
✅Yes, you will have to memorize a lot. But try to understand your material. I feel like you retain much more long-term.
✅ Make sure you get adequate sleep. Trust me, you need it and your brain will function much better. I was NOT a night owl, and called it quits if I realized I wasn't retaining information. In that case, I would just wake up super early and just start again!
✅Sometimes a little confidence goes a long way, so trust yourself. You know more than you think.
✅Do not wait until the last minute. You will get overwhelmed! Grad school is usually information overload. So it's always good to pace yourself and schedule your topics and study outlines.
Hope this helps, and good luck to all you students. I was there not to long ago, so I feel your pain. You will get through this!
Here are some helpful tips:
Outlines and Drug Charts
✅One thing that helped me was to outline each topic or disease state, and then highlighting the important information. For example, for each topic I would generally list epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. And when I mean general, I mean general. This was not much of my focus as a pharmacy student.
✅For me, it was all abut the drugs! In which, I would handwrite or type the drug charts, including the mechanism of action, side effects and anything unique that sticks out. I would then go in with different color pens and add in more information if something important was brought to my attention. All of the above information was condensed into 1-2 sheets, and provided me a quick reference. Especially, if you don't have time to go over everything again. I would take these notes everywhere and pull them out randomly and study (my study spot was the NY subway guys, I had a long commute). Example shown below.
Breaks and Coffee
✅Take breaks, especially if you find your self just staring at your notes and not retaining anything. Get some fresh air or have a cup of coffee. Coffee gave me life!
✅Group studies was always a good break. Teach back to each other, sometimes you will have a better understanding and may learn more that way.
✅ If you have multiple exams (which is always the case), try switching topics. I feel like that helped me when I couldn't take it anymore!
Note to Self
✅Yes, you will have to memorize a lot. But try to understand your material. I feel like you retain much more long-term.
✅ Make sure you get adequate sleep. Trust me, you need it and your brain will function much better. I was NOT a night owl, and called it quits if I realized I wasn't retaining information. In that case, I would just wake up super early and just start again!
✅Sometimes a little confidence goes a long way, so trust yourself. You know more than you think.
✅Do not wait until the last minute. You will get overwhelmed! Grad school is usually information overload. So it's always good to pace yourself and schedule your topics and study outlines.
Hope this helps, and good luck to all you students. I was there not to long ago, so I feel your pain. You will get through this!
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