Nedra Geddes-McCarthy

Fourth-year pharmacy students are entering their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), marking the end of an era and the start of a new adventure.

Some students may make a smooth transition, but others may feel anxious and unsure about what to expect. This was my experience, and I am here to tell you it is OK.

It is normal to feel anxious or ill-prepared. After all, APPE students are expected to perform at the highest level of their knowledge. Be that as it may, it is important to be patient. We are only human, and though we are expected to be knowledgeable, the truth is that we do not know everything. Life itself is a learning curve, and everyone has to start somewhere.

To gain the most from APPE rotations, pharmacy students must be eager to learn and inquisitive. Ask thought-provoking questions and always ask why to dig deeper and read more. It is easy to answer the “what,” such as what are the first-line medications used to treat diabetes, hypertension, heart failure. But why are they the first-line agents? What evidence supports their use? Some students may think they do not know how to think critically, but this skill starts by asking “why.”

Additionally, pharmacy students must ask for feedback. Asking for feedback does not necessarily mean asking what was done right or wrong in a particular situation, but it can mean asking for a deeper exploration. Rather than asking “Is there anything that I can improve on?” ask open-ended questions, such as “What aspects of communication, leadership, patient care, and inter-professionalism can I improve upon?” Alternatively, “How do you feel about my style of communication? My leadership skills? How I deal with patients?” Whatever the response, use it as a strategy for growth. For students with an inquisitive mindset, asking for feedback should not feel painful.

When trying to improve skills, pharmacy students should not be afraid to ask other students for feedback, especially those who excel in these specific areas. Pharmacy students should recognize their strengths and use them to their advantage, while remaining mindful of their weaknesses and working to improve them. They should be honest with themselves, and let preceptors know what those weaknesses are and ask how best to improve them.

Finally, preceptors show up every day, hoping to impart knowledge. Pharmacy students should show them their appreciation and let them know that their work does not go unnoticed. Positive reinforcement is a 2-way street. It is not an easy task to precept students, and it takes strength to remain committed, so pharmacy students should salute the ones who do.

Although APPE rotations can be challenging and stressful, asking questions and finding enjoyment in the challenge is vital to get the most out of these experiences. Pharmacy students should build partnerships with preceptors and fellow students and learn to recognize their strengths and weaknesses to become the best possible pharmacists.

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To maximize this challenging experience, pharmacy students should be eager to learn and inquisitive.

Ask Questions, Get Feedback to Make the Most of APPE Rotations

Many students have been in the same position as I have. You spend hours reading over the content you need to study, but you still can’t seem to retain any of it. It can be even worse when the grade you receive for the exam is lower than you expected compared to all of the effort put into studying.

I received a B-minus on the first exam during my first year of pharmacy school. Even though I was excited that I had passed, I felt that I was doing something wrong. This was the motivating factor for me to change my study habits and to find more effective, efficient ways to prepare for my exams.

Figuring out your personal learning style is the first step in effective study habits. People are usually categorized into visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners. Although some are dominant in 1 of the 3 learning styles, I discovered that I learn effectively by using all 3. After clarifying this part of my studying habits, I was able to use the proper techniques that would improve the quality and rate of my learning.

In terms of time management for studying, I found that setting weekly study schedules and beginning each study session by perusing the objectives has worked for me. Objectives are meant to guide you and serve as a framework to what the lecturers intended for you to learn upon completing the topic.

Recognizing when extra help is needed is also important, which can be addressed by creating group study sessions. Having a supportive set of friends is beneficial to clear up any doubts I may have had on any of the topics we have learned in class. However, you must be able to know how to use these groups effectively because it can have the same probability of wasting your time when done incorrectly.

Contrary to popular belief, I learned firsthand that reading is not truly studying and properly retaining information. Writing down the information as I go along or reiterating it audibly in my own words has been much more valuable.

There are many smart phone applications that exist, such as Notability or GoodNotes 5, that can help assist students in practicing active learning. For example, Notability allows me to make modifications to the existing lecture notes, highlight important terms, and write explanations to nebulous terms or phrases.

Last, but not least, keeping up with healthy sleep habits and carving time out to rest are important. Whenever I stay up late to cram more information, it always results in headaches. A well-rested brain is better able to consolidate memory.

When it feels like time is not on my side, I try to remain calm and focus on the time that I have left rather than the time that has elapsed. Getting anxious only makes it difficult for you to retain information. Use your time wisely; you got this!

Using visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning styles can help create more effective study habits. 