Advice for a successful first year in pharmacy school
“I think one of the best words of advice I can give is to get involved within the School of Pharmacy community early! Try out different student organizations to see which ones you like and introduce yourself to those around you. It makes pharmacy school seem a bit less intimidating, and it is wonderful to have friends and older student mentors to help you get through the more challenging times!”
– Grace N., Class of 2023
The connections I made with my peers going through this experience with me was a crucial part of my success. It’s difficult work but knowing that I have over 100 other people going through it with me made it much easier. If you find a few close friends to study with and decompress after exams with, it is much easier to find success.
– Abby O., Class of 2025
During my first year of pharmacy school, I prioritized having a well-rounded year. I made sure to keep academics a priority, but also joined several student orgs, volunteered on a weekly basis, and made connections with my classmates. Although it was not feasible to stay involved in every single student org I signed up for as a first year, it allowed me to identify the organizations I felt most passionate about, and during my second and third years I was able to really focus on those organizations. The most rewarding experiences I have had in pharmacy school have come from extracurricular involvement, and I fully challenge every incoming student to be involved in at least 1-2 activities or organizations.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
I attribute my study group to making the first year of pharmacy school successful. By creating a study group with some of my close friends in pharmacy school, I was able to create bonds and connections with other students and could use this time to compare homework and study for exams. These students were incredible resources who supported me through the transition from undergraduate coursework to pharmacy school. As these people were in the same boat as me and completing the same classes, we were able to share study tips and simply spend time together. I truly could not have gotten through my first year without them.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
Find people who will make you a better student and a better person. I found a good group of friends who were very serious about their studies, and it made it easier to study, even in times you didn’t want to. I also made sure to take time for myself and rest because that is an important aspect to succeeding in school and just life in general.
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
I would attribute my success in my first year to having a disciplined study regimen. I believe students should create a schedule including times to study and times to relax and cool off before bed, as carrying the stress into sleep and outside hobbies can make these other activities less enjoyable and fulfilling. This can, in turn, negatively affect your schooling, so sticking to a schedule and understanding at some point in the night there are only diminishing returns left in productivity.
– Evan S., Class of 2025
The resource that helped me the most during the first year of pharmacy school was the DPH-1 mentorship program through Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS). Through this program, I connected with a DPH-2 pharmacy student with similar interests. She was an incredible resource and would often provide me with study tips and advice for the transition from undergraduate classes to pharmacy school. To this day, I still reach out to her for questions, both pharmacy and non-pharmacy related, and she always provides helpful information as she was just recently in my shoes.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
Preparing for Pharmacy School
“To have the best student experience in pharmacy school, know when to say YES! I have had the best experiences after saying yes to opportunities that initially intimidated me or I didn’t know if I was good enough for. Put yourself outside of your comfort zone and drag others outside of their comfort zones too. That is where the biggest growth will happen.”
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
Set a plan for how you are going to take time for yourself. Speaking from experience, it can be difficult to make time for yourself and remember to still have fun. Make a list of the things that are most important to you and make sure that along with all the studying, you are still finding time for those things. Depriving yourself of what you enjoy isn’t going to make the experience any easier, and you’ll thank yourself later for it.
– Abby O., Class of 2025
Before starting the PharmD program, something that would have been helpful to know was how important something as simple as checking your email would be. During undergrad, I would check my email once every couple of days, and that’s the routine I started out with in pharmacy school. I quickly realized I was missing things because I wasn’t checking it often enough and had to make some adjustments based off of that. It sounds silly, but even small tweaks to your daily routine will help you out.
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
I think students should work on their time management skills and determine what strategies are most effective for them, ideally before starting pharmacy school. I was not prepared for the sheer volume of work during my first year and initially struggled with balancing so many classes, each with its own assignments and curriculum. I would have benefited from testing out different calendars, different note-taking styles, or different online learning tools before pharmacy school so that I could get into a groove immediately upon beginning my first year.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
Pharmacy school is very rigorous, and it is important to understand your limits and prioritize your own health and wellness. “You can’t pour from an empty bucket” is very relevant to pharmacy school; you won’t be able to succeed academically or professionally if you are not feeling like your best self. Make sure you are actively aware of your physical and mental health as you go through these rigorous four years.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
As a DPH-1 student, I wish I had made a point of spending more time around the school outside of class time. Spending time around campus and socializing with classmates is now something I really enjoy! Making those connections has seemed to keep me more engaged in my classwork and involvement now, so I wish I would have started sooner.
– Taylor R., Class of 2025
If you want to best prepare for the rigorous PharmD program, I suggest you start by getting a calendar. I prefer a large, paper calendar so that I can see it on my bedroom wall every day. Write out when all your exams are for the whole semester and any other important dates and times. Proactively check Canvas every day for assignment deadlines. I also suggest reading the syllabuses before class to know the required books versus the optional books. Then when classes start, expect the professors to dive right into material and for you to be overwhelmed. It is okay to feel like this because for most people this is everyone’s first time in grad school, which is going to be completely different from undergrad. Learn whether to take notes on paper, an iPad, or computer, depending on the class and teaching style of the professor. How you take notes may not be the same as your friends. You’ll go through times of stress when you get thrown multiple exams in one week, but always remember to find ways to cope with your stress. For example, I played the piano in the HSLC building (across from the pharmacy school) whenever I needed a break from studying.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
I think being organized while in pharmacy school is crucial to success. My tip is to create a Google Drive dedicated to pharmacy school. Create a folder for each semester with subfolders for each class to keep track of notes and assignments to refer to when study for exams or looking up information during internships. I did not implement this tactic until my second year of pharmacy school, and I had a lot of trouble trying to locate materials from my first year compared to when my notes have been in specific folders! Pro tip: label the documents in the folders so that you can easily determine what they consist of. For example, instead of “Lecture 1” label the document or slide set “Diabetes Medications – Lecture 1”.
– Cara H., Class of 2024
Before starting the PharmD program, I wish that I would have known that it is okay not to know where you want to end up in the pharmacy field and that it is okay to change your mind. I came into pharmacy school thinking that I wanted to pursue a very different path than I am currently on right now. During your experiential activities and didactic coursework, you will discover what disease states or areas excite you and that may be different than you anticipated before starting school and that is totally fine! If you continue to let your interests guide you, you will end up where you are supposed to be. Do not feel pressure to come into pharmacy school having your future career and path completely figured out.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
As a DPH-1, I wish I had spent less time working and more time doing activities that are available to students that are not available during summer and winter breaks when working is ideal. Other pharmacy student opportunities like student organizations and research can help more than working. I joined many student organizations in the first year to see what I enjoyed, and then narrowed down my time into the organizations I liked. Additionally, I spend a lot of time in research, as I think this is just as valuable as any student organization and possibly more individualized and unique.
– Evan S., Class of 2025
Something I wish I knew before starting the PharmD program is that you will need business professional attire for certain pharmacy classes and events. I went to school not knowing this and was left with a short time frame for finding these clothes. You can save yourself the stress by buying them before pharmacy school starts. Another key thing to know before going into the pharmacy school is that all your exams take place at night, so it is crucial that you don’t overbook yourself the night of an exam. Lastly, there are always scholarships becoming available, but it is up to the student to be proactive in applying for them. The Wisconsin Scholarship Hub has many opportunities.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
Making Connections
The best way to befriend other PharmD students is to join student organizations and attend and engage in the events that they put on. Here you will meet students that have similar interests as you, thus making it easier to bond and form a relationship! Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to the upperclassmen. They are great resources to inform you about your current classes, potential internships, job opportunities, and how to succeed within the school!
– Cara H., Class of 2024
Each student is a part of a pharmacy family at the School of Pharmacy, and I found this program to be very helpful. This is a great opportunity to form close connections with fellow students in your class, older students, and professors. The older students and professors act as a resource for you, so ask them questions about anything! When I was a DPH-1 student, I became friends with a DPH-3 student through this program and she eventually helped me out in so many ways. She gave me advice for each of my classes and had extra textbooks for me as well. Another way to connect with others is to study in groups or attend social events that are put on by the class presidents. The Pharmacy Phormal was a fun experience!
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
Join clubs and go to school events, even if you don’t know anyone else going. Remember that you have at least one thing in common with every single student in pharmacy school — you all are passionate about pharmacy! Asking about what field of pharmacy someone is thinking of pursuing is a conversation starter you can use with everyone you meet in pharmacy school. Put yourself out there and remember that we are all on the same team.
– Abby O., Class of 2025
I have found it easier to make more meaningful connections with professors through research and spending time working in the field of interest of the professor rather than just studying it. They are all very interested and willing to help students learn more about their field of study.
– Evan S., Class of 2025
The best way to make meaningful connections with your professors is to reach out and get to know them. It may be intimidating to go to office hours, but all of the professors are extremely friendly and kind and willing to share more about the path that led them to pharmacy school and academia. Through these conversations, you can learn more about them, and they can learn more about you. Taking the time to reach out and invest in these relationships will form strong bonds and expand your network within the pharmacy field.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
It is beneficial to have several different groups of friends and companions who can support you in different ways. I would also encourage making friends with people in other years of the program! You can do this by becoming involved in student orgs, tutoring, volunteering, joining a research group, or Student Senate.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
Getting to know your classmates is extremely beneficial because you can ask them questions about school or non-school related topics. The UW School of Pharmacy aims for students to feel like they’re a part of a close-knit community, but it starts with the individual and how the individual chooses to interact with other classmates or professors. If you’re struggling in a class, please don’t wait until the last exam to ask for help. The professors want to see you succeed, so if you meet with them early on, they will help you meet your goals.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
I am sure this will be reiterated countless times, but get involved! Student organizations can also serve as a great way to make connections with your peers. I have become closer with classmates simply by volunteering alongside them or participating in similar organization activities.
– Taylor R., Class of 2025
I took the time to have the professors know who I am. I know it can be intimidating at first to meet one-on-one with professors, but it pays off in the end. The professors really do care about your mental and physical well-being in and outside of pharmacy school. Each of the professors I’ve met with in the past started with asking about my passion and interest in pharmacy, as well as how my undergrad education went. I felt a closer connection to my professors once they got to know my story a little bit. The professors are there for YOU, they want YOU to succeed, and they are there to help you reach YOUR goals. Use office hours to your advantage, walk up to the professors after class regarding lecture questions, or even meet with the teaching assistants. You don’t necessarily have to come prepared with school-related questions for the professors. For example, you could meet to talk about study techniques or any worries you express for upcoming exams.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
There are so many opportunities that are given to pharmacy school students, whether it’s joining/leading a student organization, working on research with professors, networking with pharmacists/professionals in your specific field of choice, etc., it would be silly to not take advantage of at least some of them. By exploring avenues now, you create connections and opportunities for yourself later. This isn’t saying that you have to involve yourself in everything and spread yourself too thin; just pick what’s interesting to you.
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
Looking back, I wish that I had participated in more shadowing opportunities as a first-year student. Throughout pharmacy school, you will have many guest lecturers who are practicing pharmacists. They will often provide their contact information to reach out if you have any questions or would like to follow up with them. As a DPH-1, I was afraid to put myself out there and reach out. However, looking back, I wish I would have taken the lecturers up on their offer so that I could have seen more of a variety of practice sites early on in my pharmacy school career.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
Get involved. I wish I would have gotten more involved earlier on. I didn’t start to get involved in my organizations until my second semester and realized how fun it was. The pharmacy school has so many student organizations that can work for everyone. This can be a great way to find new friends with similar interests to you. If you find an organization you like, don’t be scared to jump right in and start going to events or volunteering. Attend the events the pharmacy school puts on to get to know your classmates. I have found a lot of friends through these events and in the organizations I have joined.
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
Know that you don’t have to have a question to go up and talk with professors after class or go to office hours! Most of the time, professors are so happy just to meet their students personally. Go ahead and introduce yourself to a couple professors, share something about yourself that they might remember, and that you’re excited to learn from them. Down the road, if you’re struggling with a course or need advice, the professor will already know your face and name.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
Academics & Study Tips
“I found joining study groups to be most helpful in my first year of pharmacy school. Some classes have peer-led study groups from second- or third-year students, and those helped me a lot to understand the material. It was also a good way to have a scheduled time in your day to study for a certain, usually more difficult, class.”
Lauren B., Class of 2025
Take a look at available electives and the certificate/track options at the beginning of the semester, and choose a couple that you may be interested in (and that fit into your schedule). Completing some elective credits in the first year will grant you much greater flexibility going into 3rd and 4th year.
– Yi Kan L., Class of 2023
I discovered how personalized you can make your education here in pharmacy school. There are plenty of classes that everyone has to take, but with all of the different Paths of Distinction, you can specialize in what you learn about. There are paths that revolve around interprofessional experience, rural health, etc., which I think is very interesting. There are also so many different electives you can take throughout your time at pharmacy school. I was able to take electives to learn about different healthcare populations and one about cannabinoids, which are very different topics that aren’t discussed in our required classes.
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
Make a study plan and stick to it. It can be easy to write down “study pharmacokinetics” as a task you have to complete sometime during that week, but that will be hard to stick to. Make your study plan very specific: How many hours will you study each day? What time frame will you study each day? Where are you going to go to make sure that study time is uninterrupted and distraction free? That way, you’re much more likely to complete the task.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
My secret to success as a PharmD student is finding another person or small group of people you can rely on to always help each other with confusing topics. I have a friend who I will call very frequently throughout the week, trying to clear up certain concepts. Having someone who you can rely on to help you with work without distracting you is huge. Working together with someone can be very productive or detrimental to your understanding of important concepts, and finding the right people is key.
– Evan S., Class of 2025
My biggest study tip is to focus on the learning objectives for each lecture. I have found that professors base their questions directly around their objectives. When preparing for an exam, I would create documents listing the objectives for each lecture and would answer each objective, often in bullet points, to ensure that I had a good grasp of the subject and material. I would also create practice questions for myself based on the objectives. This technique helped prepare me to anticipate the types of questions that I might see on the exam and gave me a good idea of which topics I understood and which ones I needed to focus more time on.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
A lot of the electives are taken during our third year, but if some people have space in their schedule, they can take them as early as first year. Choose your electives based off on what sounds interesting to you or what kind of career you want to pursue post-graduation.
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
It is important to study as much as you need to to be successful. Ebling Library is a great spot that has lots of quiet areas and it is just across the skywalk from the pharmacy school!
– Christopher K., Class of 2023
My recommendation for studying is to review the material you learned in class that night. Even if you just spend 10 minutes reviewing the lecture notes, it’s extremely helpful to go through and remind yourself what you learned that day. It’s really easy to fall behind, and by doing this, it will help instill the habit of studying every day, so you aren’t scrambling to learn a few weeks’ worth of material in three days.
– Abby O., Class of 2025
Rho Chi and the study groups are two resources that helped me most of my first year of pharmacy school. I utilized office hours and the TA’s a lot, too. Rho Chi is a free tutor program composed of students who have the highest GPAs of their year who already went through the class you’d be asking for help in. Talk to your advisor about getting this set up! Otherwise, I do recommend joining any study groups they send emails out about. Every Sunday, I went to the School of Pharmacy for two hours, and the study session was run by older pharmacy students who did well in the past. They offer great practice exam questions, which are helpful when it comes time for the exam!
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
Everyone will have different study techniques, and it’s best to figure out what works most effectively for you within the first one to two weeks of school. I believe good studying starts with going to class every day and taking in-depth notes while the professor speaks. I then like to go home or study in a private study room at Ebling Library with my Beats headphones on. Every day on a post-it note, I write what I need to accomplish for the day. On a larger scheduler, I plan my entire week out. I first re-read slides repeatedly until I have it memorized. I love to create mnemonics and Quizlets. I complete all the practice quizzes and exams a few days before the exam. When it gets to be the day before the exam, I take a piece of paper and go through the slides and write down the key ideas. I like to start by writing the header of each slide out on paper, and then testing my memory to see what I remember by writing everything I know about that header topic. For any pharmacy classes that involve math calculations, I really believe the best way to study is to complete the practice tests and get familiar with the math problems.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
As a first year, I took an elective on nuclear pharmacy simply because it fit into my schedule. In hindsight, I had no interest in this topic, it may have not been the best fit for me, and I did not need the elective for any credit requirement. If you have any inkling of interest in a topic and it fits into your schedule, you should take an elective! It is also important to know that you do not have to take a ton of electives every semester just for the sake of challenging yourself. Pharmacy school is challenging enough without electives, and it’s important to know your limits and have a strong school/life balance.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
Especially first semester, I wish I had spent more time studying with other people. When I found how helpful it was during second semester, I realized I probably would have had a much easier time with past exams and quizzes. Don’t be afraid of trying different studying tactics (or just different things in general!). I wasn’t really one for studying with other people (especially in undergraduate studies), but I’ve learned that it’s SO incredibly helpful, especially because everyone is in the exact same boat as you. They might offer different ways of looking at things and are more than willing to share those insights with others. (Plus, it makes studying more fun!)
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
Studying with friends can be very beneficial if done correctly! Make sure you and all the people you’re planning to study with have had adequate time to review the material independently before you meet to study together. Then, take turns explaining concepts to one another. Explain the concepts you understand well, and have your friends explain things they feel confident about. I have found that 3-4 people maximum makes for the best study group.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
Get in the habit of reviewing material a few days after it is presented in class (no cramming!). Even skimming just one lecture a day will get you more familiar with material and be more manageable and less daunting when it comes to preparing for the exam. Also, be cognizant of your learning style. You might like to verbalize the information while the person who sits next to you will constantly rewrite and summarize their notes.
– Cara H., Class of 2024
The resource that helped me the most in my first year of pharmacy school was the student-led study groups. The weekly study group meetings, led by second-year students, ensured I was reviewing the material on a regular basis. The leaders created practice problems and slides on the important information in the class. It was very helpful to learn from students who had taken the class in the past! I have also found that making my own study guides or Quizlet sets helps me the most when I start studying.
– Taylor R., Class of 2025
Clinical Training & Experiential Learning
When your first rotations come around, don’t be afraid to try new things. Always try to ask your preceptors if there is anything you can do whilst observing and working with them. I was never in a pharmacy setting before my first rotation, but by doing this I got to do a lot of things I had never done before!
– Nick E., Class of 2024
My favorite IPPE so far has been my Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin rotation where I got to round with the medical teams on both the GI and CICU floors. It was such an incredible learning experience that switched my current career interest to pediatrics. I highly recommend asking as many questions as you can during your IPPEs/APPEs, as every preceptor I have had so far has gone out of their way to answer all of my questions with enthusiasm and patience. My favorite courses by far have been the 423/426 courses because of Pharmacist-Oakwood Partners! It was a great opportunity to gain patient care experience, improve my communication skills, and really get to know some of my classmates.
– Natalie M., Class of 2024
During your first year IPPEs, you may be like I was and have zero experience within a pharmacy. That is totally okay! You won’t know much about medications but ask thoughtful questions to your preceptor and be a helpful hand when you can. Try to pick a pharmacy site that you are interested in because this will make the experience more meaningful, you will be more engaged, and you will get insight on potential careers. Occasionally lodging and/or transportation can be an issue, so I recommend trying to pick IPPE sites where you have a friend or relative that you can stay with. Lastly, it is pertinent to thank your preceptors verbally and through a handwritten card.
– Cara H., Class of 2024
Explore EVERYTHING! Even if some of the rotations don’t seem like they’re the right avenue for you, you never know who you will meet, what you will learn, or the experience that you will get out of it. We learn in pharmacy school that there is always something to learn, even if it’s learning what we don’t like, or don’t want to pursue for our future. It’s okay to weed things out—that’s the point of getting these experiences in early!
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
When it comes to IPPEs, this is the best time to really explore the profession of pharmacy. Choose IPPE sites that you have never been to before, in settings completely different than what you think you want to do, and even in towns you’ve never heard of before. You’ll be surprised by what aspects of pharmacy you enjoy and become interested in.
– Abby O, Class of 2025
Make sure to ask questions during your first-year IPPEs because the preceptors are very knowledgeable and can teach you a lot. I also recommend asking how you can help around the pharmacy. When I did this, I was able to give vaccines and help with COVID testing.
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
While you can only observe pharmacists during IPPE’s, you should still make the most out of this wonderful opportunity. I recommend for you to select IPPE sites that are out of your comfort zone or that you may not know anything about! Be professional, arrive on time, and ask lots of questions! Bring a tiny notebook with you to write down all your observations, including any that you have with other healthcare providers or technicians too. Some IPPE’s require you to complete 40 hours at one location, and you may finish your required worksheets before the last day, so ask your preceptor what other tasks you can complete to stay busy!
– Courney K., Class of 2025
My biggest piece of advice would be to be open to trying any new experience and to ask the pharmacists how you can help them. IPPEs are an awesome time to get direct feedback from an actively practicing pharmacist, often in a one-on-one setting. Your pharmacist preceptor is there to help mentor and guide you but take advantage of that time to work on your patient-care skills such as practicing immunization techniques or utilizing motivational interviewing when speaking to patients. The experience is what you make of it, so try to put yourself out there to get the most out of your IPPEs.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
Campus & Student Life
The pharmacy school building, Rennebohm Hall, is surrounded by great places for students to hang out! The nursing school building, Cooper Hall, has a nice café and commons area. I love going there to study with a group. Connected to Rennebohm Hall is the Health Sciences Learning Center, containing Ebling Library. I head over there if I want an afternoon of work to myself, and I enjoy the great view!
– Taylor R., Class of 2025
Memorial Union Terrace is my favorite spot on campus. We are so fortunate to be right on Lake Mendota and there is just nothing better than going to the Terrace with friends on a summer night, listening to live music, and playing cards with a pitcher of Spotted Cow beer on the table. The Lakeshore Path is also a favorite of mine. Walking from the Terrace to Picnic Point is a great way to decompress from the stress of school, get some fresh air, and enjoy a great view.!
– Abby O., Class of 2025
As pharmacy students, we have access to many of the free events that UW–Madison hosts for undergraduate students. Most events have free food and music or are built around a fun activity to try. I would recommend reading the weekly emails to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and gathering some pharmacy friends to check it out! Some of my favorite places to hang out on campus include the Memorial Union and Union South. Both places have awesome food, the famous Babcock ice cream (highly recommend!), and some fun study spaces. When you need a change of scenery, I would recommend checking out either of the Unions for a drink, a bite to eat, or a space to relax and hang out.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
A few of my favorite places to hang out on campus include the Kohl Center, Ebling Library, and Memorial Union Terrace. I love to attend Badger basketball games at the Kohl Center because it is an incredible atmosphere and a fun study break. Ebling Library is where I go to really grind out some studying and complete homework because it is a quiet place with great views. Lastly, I can’t think of anyone that doesn’t enjoy heading over to the Terrace at Memorial Union to hang out and admire Lake Mendota!
– Cara H., Class of 2024
If you’re looking for a place to study, my first suggestion is Ebling Library in the private study rooms. I especially like using the whiteboards in the private rooms. If the weather is nice enough, the top floor of the School of Nursing has an outdoor study area. The Historical Society building is another great place to study because of how beautiful the building is inside, and its quiet atmosphere. If you’re looking for a chill, non-study hangout location, I would suggest the Memorial Union Terrace. They have great food, drinks, ice cream, free concerts or movies, and a beautiful view of the sunset.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
My favorite place that a lot of people don’t know about is the greenhouse inside of Birge Hall on Bascom Hill. It feels like a hidden tropical oasis, especially if you visit in the thick of winter. It is completely open to students during usual business hours and can be a nice place to walk around and feel warmth and sun on your skin. One of my favorite study spots is the graduate student lounge inside Memorial Library! You can swipe your Wiscard for access, and it is a place that is generally pretty quiet but is also okay to talk if you want to study with friends. Memorial Library is pretty close to State Street, so there’s many food options if you need a quick food break during an all-day study session.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
My favorite places on campus to hang out are Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC) and Ebling library. HSLC is great if you’re wanting to chat with friends about homework or while studying for an exam. The Ebling Library is great for when you’re looking to get some quiet time to crank out some solo studying. Outside of the School of Pharmacy, I really enjoy Union South as well because of how lively it can be (plus they have a cute café inside!).
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
Living in Madison
Madison is a such a unique city because it has the feel of a small town and a big city all wrapped up in one. There are constantly events going on all around the city at all times of the year. In the summer there are a ton of outdoor concerts. In the fall you can walk through the Arboretum and see a forest of color-changed leaves. In the winter you can walk with your friends to the middle of the lake and watch the stars, and in the spring, you can explore the Capital and see the tulips in full bloom. There are so many dining options and activities, everyone is sure to find something they love!
– Abby O., Class of 2025
The magnificent thing about Madison is the diversity of activities that the city boasts. Truly anyone can find something that they love to do, or experience something new. For me, I love the school spirit that surrounds Badger sporting events. It’s so fun to watch a football game at Camp Randall or catch a volleyball game at the UW Field House. Another characteristic about Madison that is so important to me is that I feel safe on campus and in the city. There are so many great programs to enhance student safety and ensure our well-being!
– Cara H., Class of 2024
What I like about living in Madison is how accessible it is! You can bike/take the bus/walk/drive basically anywhere you need to be, and studying doesn’t have to be confined to the west end of campus. There are also so many resources available to us as pharmacy school students, such as UW Health, which hosts many IPPE and APPE rotations, hires pharmacy interns and techs, offers shadowing opportunities, etc.
– Alyne M., Class of 2025
I love the versatility of activities you can do in Madison during all times of the year. In the warmer times of the year, you can go to the Capitol for the farmer’s market on a Saturday morning before a game day. There are also plenty of Badger sporting events always happening (my favorite is watching the women’s volleyball team!). Aside from sporting events, Madison has a lot of fun venues for concerts, a variety of restaurants to try on State Street, and fun places to go like the Comedy Club! If you rather enjoy the outdoors, there are paths in the Arboretum or the Lakeshore path that can give you more of an outdoorsy feel!
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
There is something for everyone to do here at UW–Madison! There are so many good restaurants to enjoy. Also, there are many organizations to join both pharmacy and non-pharmacy related. Football games are really fun and something to do on Saturdays in the Fall. Going to the Terrace or walking through Picnic Point are some of my favorite things to do to relax. There are also many places to study whether that is outside (when it is warm) or inside, like Ebling Library, College library, or the graduate study lounge at Memorial Library.
– Emily L., Class of 2023
One of my favorite things about living in Madison is the four lakes. Especially during the summertime, I love spending time on or near the lake. Several of the lakes in the area have kayak and canoe rentals that are easy to access as students! Otherwise, I love to bring a blanket and snacks and lay by the lake with a book or grab a table at the Memorial Union.
– Clara N., Class of 2024
Living in the city of Madison and attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison has been a great experience for me on its own. I am an avid Badgers fan, so I really enjoy the opportunity to attend various sporting events at the school. (Football and volleyball games are my favorite!) I come from a small town, so it is also nice to be surrounded by different businesses in the city. There are countless places to eat or things to do! Make sure to obtain your free student bus pass and utilize the great public transportation that Madison has to offer.
– Taylor R., Class of 2025
The bus system is a great resource to getting around Madison, whether it be to get to class or go to State Street. Students can pick up free bus passes on campus every semester and it has been very useful to me every semester.
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
I love the balance that the city of Madison has. There are always concerts, fairs, farmers markets, fun restaurants, parks, and sporting events to attend. I enjoy the amount of greenspace the city of Madison has, so even though it is a big city, it never feels like I am trapped in an urban jungle. Some of my favorite parks are Olbrich Park & Botanical Gardens, and Brittingham Park on Lake Monona.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
I love living in Madison as a PharmD student because you get a little taste of everything. You can head downtown and enjoy the vibrant city life or relax near either one of Madison’s two lakes. The pharmacy school location is prime because you don’t experience the large traffic of undergrad students constantly walking everywhere like in the center of the city. You should be proud of yourself knowing that you attend one of the most prestigious pharmacy schools in the nation. On the weekends, you can also represent being a Badger at the football games! Nothing else compares to when the whole crowd gets up for Jump Around in the stadium.
– Courtney K., Class of 2025
Keeping perspective
My secret for success as a pharmacy student would be to make sure to prioritize yourself and your mental health, in addition to your studies. Pharmacy school can be stressful and take up a lot of your time, and it is important to schedule times to do activities that you enjoy that are not related to pharmacy. For me, that was making time for walking around Lakeshore Path during a long study session at the library or watching a cheesy movie with my roommates. Be sure to continue to invest in yourself and prioritize activities that are relaxing or make you happy to provide some balance in your life!
– Clara N., Class of 2024
For a good student experience, I recommend getting involved within not only the school, but also the community. Joining student organizations throughout the school is a great way to meet students in your cohort, integrate with the other classes within the pharmacy school, and discover your passions. On a larger scale, Madison is so inviting and there are always events (many free!) within the community to partake in. Whether you enjoy sporting events (Go Badgers!!), musicals, or hiking the local trails, make sure you take some time outside of studying to indulge in all that Madison has to offer. An enjoyable pharmacy school experience requires you to take some time for yourself to do the things you love!
– Cara H., Class of 2024
Take advantage of the opportunities provided by the school and its student organizations! There are many ways to discover your interests within the realm of pharmacy. Don’t be afraid to reach out to peers or faculty members to learn about their involvement or interests as well.
– Taylor R., Class of 2025
At some point during your time in pharmacy school, school will get challenging. However, in these moments, remember all the people around you who care about your success and are cheering you on every step of the way. So many people are proud of you and your accomplishments! To quote Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Keep affirming those positive thoughts to yourself and know that what you learn today will make so many patients smile someday when you are a practitioner!
– Grace N., Class of 2023
Don’t overbook yourself. Pharmacy school can be very overwhelming when you want to do well in school, be involved, have a job, etc. Try to stick to a couple of your interests and know it is okay to say no! The reason I have been able to stay sane during pharmacy school is because I make sure to put some time aside for self-care especially after a stressful week. Whether that be reading a good book, baking something, or whatever you do to relax, make sure to relax every so often!
– Lauren B., Class of 2025
Find your village – a group of people that has your back and will support you no matter what. These people are invaluable, and return the favor for them when they are going through hard times. You cannot go through life, or pharmacy school, alone. I have learned just as much from my peers as I have learned from being in the classroom. My peers continually inspire me to be the best I can be, and I have a strong system of people outside of pharmacy school who support me in these endeavors.
– Taylor S., Class of 2023
Remind yourself why you are here. When school or work is piling up, and you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, think about the eager person who filled out the pharmacy school application in the first place. Think about the patients you are going to meet and the lives you are going to impact. Pharmacy school is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is also one of the most rewarding because I know it is setting me up to achieve my dreams. Every day I go to school, I know I am one day closer to being a great pharmacist who can leave a positive impact on my patient’s lives.
– Abby O., Class of 2025