Staying up for hours studying. Trying to remember those key words. Not being able to sleep because you're worried about the exam that you have to take in the morning. Being out with friends and remembering that assignment that is due by midnight. Coming home from work just to sit at the computer and stay up studying. Being a college student is HARD and stressful.
Some people do not realize how much time and effort goes into being a college student. Oh, and money too. But, that's a given.
I am currently in my third year as a college student. I graduated high school in 2017 and started at community college in fall of 2017. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete my undergraduate classes in the two year time span that I had planned, due to personal set backs. So, I am finishing my final class as an undergrad right now. Fortunately, I will be starting my first official graduate year at Temple University School of Pharmacy in the fall of this year (2020). I will be graduating in 2024 with my Doctorate Degree.
THE SETBACKS- I have always dreamed of going to college and graduating at the same time as everyone else my age. Most programs in college are four years, while mine is six- two years of undergrad and four years of grad, so I knew that I would still be in school for another two years after everyone else graduated. Since my undergrad was extended by a year, I will be finishing with a total of seven years and three years after everyone else. I have been very hard on myself mentally because I kept telling myself, "well everyone is going to be done and you're still going to have another three years!" In reality, IT DOES NOT MATTER. I've come to terms with the fact that there are so many people who do not go back to school until later in life and there are some people who do not go at all, who still achieve just as much as people who do go to school- sometimes they even achieve more!
There has been blood, sweat, and tears- MANY tears- that have gone into my schooling. I have tried so many different studying techniques, been tutored, searched things up on the internet for hours, just trying to understand, done everything possible to get to the place that I am about to be in the fall. I have made time for studying (the priority), while simultaneously juggling two different job schedules, all while maintaining the social and mental aspect of my life. My best piece of advice: Do not give up!
"It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop."
