i dropped out of pharmacy school... and here's why

[@henrydang7148]

Just finished watching your video and I have to say, you've officially joined the ranks of the bravest content creator out there! Sharing your journey of dropping out of pharmacy school takes some serious guts. But let me tell you, your honesty and authenticity shine through every word. Life has a funny way of leading us down unexpected paths, and it's awesome to see you embracing the adventure. Remember, it's not about the destination, it's about the detours and pit stops along the way. So here's to finding your true passions, pursuing happiness, and creating a life that's tailor-made for you. Keep shining bright and rocking your unique journey. Can't wait to see where life takes you next! Cheers to new beginnings and endless possibilities!

[@aled8458]

At times we may not know or understand how far words of encouragement n kindness go...Be blessed for this brother

[@christinee]

i'm so speechless reading this, i'm so grateful to have a friend like you :') thank you so much for always supporting me & for your wise words & wisdom! thank you so much for this, likewise friend can't wait to see what the future has in store for you on your unique journey, always rooting for you !!!

[@modanel]

I’m literally so lost too right now, I feel like deep down I don’t feel like pharmacy is not for me but I just don’t have anything that really interests me anymore but I have to go to college :(

[@christinee]

it's really hard finding an interest ): it took some time for me to decide that pharmacy wasn't right for me & even though pharmacy wasn't for me, i'm glad i was able to experience it to see if it was right for me or not. it will take time, but you will find your interest!

[@mimo4856]

Take some advice from a pharmacist who thought pharmacy was the only thing they should persue...try looking at alternative careers. If you want to stay in the healthcare field, try radiography. Apparently, it's less stressful and can move up bands very quickly without spending too long in university. My sister is doing this and she met someone in her course who dropped out of pharmacy after her 2nd year.

[@squeeeebii-kb9xm]

exactly what got me to become a pharmacy tech, but i gotta get out. this career has allowed me to get my own place and pay off bills, but my mental and physical health has never been worse off. i need to find another field to work in fast

[@irelynstrouse]

I feel like I want to do it I’m just not smart enough to

[@user-lu6yg3vk9z]

@@christineesmart move. there is a saturation of pharmacists. Drugs stores like Walgreens , CVS and Rite Aid closing stores

[@maddieross3480]

My mom is a pharmacist, and I kind of decided to not go down that path early in my college career. I'm at a point where I would really have to make a decision about my future, and I'm just watching your video now. I totally hear you and I value your perspective. I really appreciate you sharing your story. I hope you find more peace in the next chapter of your life. You are where you are meant to be

[@christinee]

thank you for sharing this w/ me 🤍 i appreciate it so much :’) i hope everything is well w/ you whichever choice you make will be the best choice for you & enjoy your time in college & your current journey 🫶🏻

[@purplehazee90]

Oh my gosh, Christine 😭 I'm so sorry to hear about what you went through in medical school, but I'm so, so proud of you for putting your well-being and your happiness first. I worked as an accountant for seven years, and I was unhappy for most of my time there. I didn't care for the job, and I had the most toxic co-workers. I hated going to work, but I convinced myself to stay because I worked so hard in school to land this job and it was secure. What inspired me to leave was seeing other people loving and being passionate about their career. I was always taught that a job is a job, but I realized now that it's not true. You deserve to have a career that you care about and enjoy doing. Leaving school or a job is just as hard as leaving a toxic relationship, so you should be so proud of yourself. I know it may seem scary now, but it will get better. After I quit my job, I went into freelancing until I found my FT job now and it was hard but I was so much happier. I'm glad you have the support of your friends and family. You seriously have such a bubbly and positive personality, so those classmates who were mean or dismissive of you are not even worth worrying about. People like that live very sad lives and are unhappy themselves which is why they take it out on others. I hope you won't wallow too much on that. Can't wait for your future videos in NorCal 🎉 Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, Bath and Body Works brought back Cactus Blossom in body care and Midnight Blue Citrus is also out in body care~!

[@christinee]

omgosh sarah 🥹😭 thank you so much for this, this means everything to me. thank you for sharing your experience, you've been through so much & i'm so glad you were able to put yourself first & find a job that deserves your talents. you deserve everything 🫶🏻 i'm so happy for you, congratulations on everything that you have accomplished! thank you friend, i really can't find the right words to say how grateful i am :') & i saw !!! currently working on my bbw sas video right now hehe

[@purplehazee90]

@@christinee Thank you for the kind words, Christine! You got this. ❤ I'm so excited for your journey ahead.

[@BlondeshellIvy]

You are not alone. I’m currently a P1 student and I had the exact same experience as you. I’m considering to withdraw from pharmacy school as well. The curriculum is not organized and didactic courses are changed every 8 weeks, 5 to 6 lecturers on different subjects of the one course and an exam every other week. The lecturers expect the students to gasps on to the course content in a few days after it was presented and then they test your knowledge. It was a very overwhelming experience for me. Everyone knew each other and I felt left out plenty of time because I’m not from that state. Lab experience was not the best and definitely didn’t feel included on group activities. They would go the group activity before lab and slap my name on it like it was a group effort. I totally empathize with you and wish you the absolute best on your future endeavors.

[@rbbyypharmd]

Pharmacy school wasn't for me either, was thinking of dropping out the whole time but you just have to find the right work environment with the right people guys!

[@hydr_tion]

I'm a p3 and yeah it's very toxic in pharmacy & expensive. You need to be a type A person or just figure out how you learn properly quickly - or else ppl start looking down on you and its hard to climb out of that. I work as an intern in the hospital while going to school, thought the culture would be different, but it's even worse. I'm not sure why most ppl in this space are so up tight, but they form clicks and look down on people for small mistakes. You didn't make the wrong decision, but just make sure you find another avenue that'll make you happy!

[@christinee]

thank you so much, i really appreciate it! & congratulations on being a p3, you’re close to done! i don’t understand the culture either b/c aren’t we all working towards the same goal, so i feel like we should all be helping each other, but it’s the complete opposite. i’m sorry the work culture in the hospital is like that, keep at it friend you’ve worked so hard i wish you the best!

[@BlondeshellIvy]

You just described my experience.You are very spot on about forming clicks and looking down on people. Why can’t people work together instead of against each other. Everyone is competing for a title.

[@murphy423]

I dropped out pharmacy school in late 2021 from University of Minnesota because I was incredibly burnt out mentally and completely disillusioned with the pharmacy field. I enlisted in the army in 2023.. I feel regret for not finishing my PharmD a lot but learning there are people who dropped out for various reasons is encouraging

[@christinee]

my mindset is that i tried it & it didn’t work out & that’s okay, but if i ever want to go back, it’s never too late. i hope you don’t feel any regret b/c at least you got to try it to see if you like it or not & i hope that you’re able to find something you’re passionate in doing :) it takes a lot of time to overcome the feeling, but give it time!

[@murphy423]

@@christinee it’s so expensive to go back, I’m already in an insane amount of debt from going once and I’d have to start all over again, even retake the pcat..

[@TheSantos173]

@@murphy423most school don’t require pcat anymore

[@greenpea889]

There has to be interest and passion in what we do, if it’s not there, it can be hard to stay in that career, it’s difficult without it

[@JitteryPickles]

You made the right choice and dodged a bullet. Pharmacy has really tanked over the last 10 years and is getting worse by the day. All of my friends who are pharma absolutely hate it and regret their career. Good luck to you and whatever path you choose.

[@christinee]

i'm so sorry to hear that. you & your friends worked so hard to get where you are, i hope it gets better for you all or you find something else you like. you're really making a difference in people's lives.

[@llallogen7380]

There are good sectors of pharmacy, but its something you really have to know about before pharmacy school. I’m a pharmacist and can honestly say I am living my dream job, but I would be so miserable in retail or possibly even hospital.

[@LooneyBlade113]

Honestly this really hit me hard bc both my parents want me to be a pharmacist so badly but I just have absolutely no passion for it. I've always been more into media design (graphic design, video editing, photography, music production, content creation etc.) my entire life but my parents discouraged me from all that and kept forcing the pharmacy agenda so eventually I just gave in and said I would go to school for pharmacy and just seeing them so happy made me feel good about that but deep down I felt completely dead inside bc I just never had a passion for medicine or anything involving healthcare but since both my parents are in healthcare (and immigrants too) they also pressured me to go into healthcare field bc that's where the money is but I'm really not a people person. I'd rather sit behind a computer and create art but I know that the art field is hard to get into and can be difficult to find a high paying job in those fields so I just feel so lost and depressed and don't know what to do. But this video definitely helped give me perspective and I respect your decision wholeheartedly. It's not worth the mental toll if you're not happy in that field of work (which Ik fs I wouldn't be) only benefit would be the money really but I would definitely be dead on the inside. Hope all is going well with you now!

[@christinee]

omgosh you literally put into words what i couldn’t at that time & this was really what i was going through then. it’s really hard b/c my parents were happy w/ wanting me to have a good paying job & to be secure in the future when my passion is elsewhere (w/ content creating). i remember in class, i would just be focused on editing when i had free time instead of focusing on the class that i was in. everyday was such a struggle just b/c i had no motivation to continue in the field & i already spent a lot of money on school, rent etc ): i’m honestly a lot happier now & it took quite some time to accept the fact & get my parents to understand, but it gets better w/ time. i wish i had an answer for you, it’s honestly a really hard decision & i wish you happiness in the decision you make. 🫶🏻

[@LooneyBlade113]

@christinee glad to hear I'm not the only one going through this haha. It really is hard bc you want to make your parents happy but at the same time you want to make yourself happy also. Thank you for making this video and appreciate your meaningful response. Hope all goes well for you too ❤️

[@maeganjoseph8377]

People really make or break a program. I am so sorry you went through that. It could also be your cohort too. The profession lost someone special in you. I hope you find something you love to do.

[@christinee]

thank you so much i really appreciate this :’) wishing you the best!

[@bryandmgz]

The profession has been made a mockery of on the U.S. the pay should be much much higher and it’s sad that retail just overshadows the hospital pay side and if you want that higher pay you have to deal with so much bs, your mental health just gets destroyed overtime. I have friends that went the hospital route and they do not get respected at all, they all said they would not do it again. The profession is not what it used to be, it just sucks now

[@christinee]

yeah the pay should be a lot higher & my friends tell me there’s so much politics when working inside the hospital it’s so sad to see ): i’m sorry to hear about what your friends are going through they deserve a lot more after all the schooling & experience they have had ):

[@Spicytots5]

Great example of knowing what you are getting in to. Shadow, ask questions, work in the entry level jobs in the field...

[@jacquelinesalazar4320]

I think in my case I really wanted to be a pharmacist and I chose to get a PhD in pharmacy However it’s too much money and so many exams. I’m not the A+ student. I got up and down many times. Once I failed the first exam I was already depressed. I don’t wanna give up and toss everything to the trash. Idk what to do. My mind says: keep going, get the title because otherwise you have nothing

[@christinee]

i’m sorry to hear that, yeah i remember the exams being really tough ): do you have a study group possibly or are the office hours helpful i feel like i would have enjoyed it more if i got the support i needed. if this is your goal, don’t let the exams discourage you, you can make it up w/ the next exams & i try to ask around to get old exams to help me practice!

[@Manwithnofriends]

Omg I'm the same! I did pharmacy at university then did my training year and became a pharmacist. Now that I'm here, I feel so lost as I don't enjoy it on top of all my other problems

[@christinee]

congratulations on being a pharmacist & i’m sorry to hear that 😢 it’s hard getting there, but you did it! i hope everything goes well for you & you get to achieve what you want!

[@MegaBev]

Christine this made me cry hearing your experience. I'm in my first year of pharmacy school and I honest feel like Pharmacy school isn't for me too. The school I'm currently at feels like the school/professors is unorganized, not helpful in anyway. If we were to question them they will always have something else to say. I work so hard in getting into Pharmacy school but I just don't feel like I would be happy doing it for the rest of my life. My husband is supportive, but I honestly don't know how I will break it down to my parents.. since they are so proud of me getting into Pharmacy school. I feel so lost and want God to really give me a sign if I should continue to go to pharmacy school or just drop out.

[@LadyTrice89]

I'm currently finishing up my pre reqs for pharmacy school and I feel the same way. I have about a year before I go. I am a tech and I love it. But pharmacists tell me not to do it, find another profession, its not paying, etc. All of this is making me think twice. I am willing for the challenge but im afraid of being over 100k in debt and not getting paid a decent salary to afford life and my student loans. A little piece of me is saying that I might make the biggest mistake of my life. Maybe it's the fear or maybe it's a calling to just stop and find something else. But I've been in pharmacy since 2011 as a tech. I'm so close and already over 50k in debt, I was thinking about just finishing up but I do not know as I get closer to the program ☹️

[@christinee]

hey! i'm so sorry to hear about your experience ): that really was how i felt about pharm school as well, professors/school being unorganized & my professors/classmates wouldn't really help as well when i struggled w/ learning the concept. i'm glad your husband is supportive, my friends really helped me through this difficult time. it took my parents time, but i'm in a much better place now & my parents are supportive w/ whatever i choose to pursue next. it takes so much hard work getting into pharm school, but at least you got to try it & experience pharm school to see if you like it or not. whichever route you choose will be the best route for you 🤍

[@johnjeong7933]

I took a gap year, so my 4 year degree actually will take me 5 years. But I'm ok with it because I'm still in my 20s. I found that a lot of students in school were toxic, but I finished all of the didactic course fine. In my gap year, I worked at community, I saw how difficult it is. Honestly, all the classmates are so immature, looking back at it. The reason why they were so toxic is because of grades to get residency and avoid retail. But even if they avoid retail, they have to enter the real world, and face difficult patients (this is the real schooling as I say). I don't think pharmacy is not for you christine. It's just pharmacy school was not for you, but it is to go through the toxic mess to come out stronger. Also who is to say what is the criteria to be a good pharmacist? Everyone has to start somewhere. I would say next time, don't take what other people think or do into such great consideration. You can't control people, you can only control yourself and pursue what you are passionate about. If someone wants to help you out because of that, go ahead, but you don't owe anything to anyone.

[@christinee]

thank you for this. i had the same experience w/ my classmates, we had this top 5% for my cohort & it was crazy the things people were willing to do for it. i’m glad you did well in your courses & i’m glad you’re pursuing what you enjoy, i hope all is well!

[@turkishcohlic1731]

Hey i heard your story it's really similar to me right now i am in a medical school and i after coming here i understand that it's not for me but my parents and sister are not supportive i always try to telk them i don't want to do it and i am leaving all my classes because it doesn't makes me excited and because of that i fight with my family sometimes because they making me do something which I don't want to do just for the sake of security and bright future what should i do should i leave it i have been doing this for almost two years

[@christinee]

hi! i know esp w/ family, it can be hard to talk to them, but if medical school isn't making you happy or looking forward to the future, you should put yourself first & do what's best for you. with time, your family & those around you will accept it. you're the one going to school & having this experience, so it's okay to make the decision that best benefits you in order to be happy & healthy, mentally & physically. there's plenty of paths out there, you will find yours!

[@turkishcohlic1731]

Thanks for reply i think you are right it's my life it's me who is having all this experiences so I should be the one who make the decision

[@christinee]

i'm sorry to hear about what you are going through w/ medical school. it's never easy at first, but it will get better w/ time. you're strong & you deserve a career that values you & makes you happy!

[@turkishcohlic1731]

@@christinee i am trying to fit in here it's just that my parents invested a lot of money on me and i don't want to break their expectations

[@mooler4132]

@@turkishcohlic1731hi there, medical school is hard, not only the content but the expectations of becoming a doctor, I hope that you have found your place In medical school now but if not I hope you are happy with what you are doing

[@raz1739]

Pharmacy has become a terrible profession. Saturated , low pay compared to what you do & high stress.

[@mollybachh]

I feel you girly I’m there right now :( I think it’s hard for me to

[@christinee]

i’m so sorry you’re going through this ): it’s not easy, but w/ time, it’ll get better. i hope you find something you enjoy doing. i wish you all the best!

[@sandylam257]

im sorry ! my pharmacy school do exams for the specific course and they are super good with providing help to understand the material for the exam.. i do know a friend that has the same testing style as you described and that sounds horrible.

[@christinee]

it’s okay yeah it wasn’t the best testing style ): i’m glad your school does exams for each specific subject it really helps you retain the information & i’m glad they give you plenty of help :) good luck w/ the rest of pharmacy school :)

[@utahjazz9com]

I've been a pharmacist for 6 years now. I wish I dropped out and pursued something else, now I'm lost and not sure what to do for the rest of my life. I give you props for realizing that pharmacy wasn't for you and leaving, especially with the work you put in to get into pharmacy school.

[@llallogen7380]

Explore some other areas of pharmacy than the common fields, and see what non-pharmacist-specific jobs your degree might get you into! There is hope that you can find something you like without having to start your career completely over.

[@christinee]

i’m so sorry that you’re going through this. you worked so hard in this field & you deserve everything for all the hard work & dedication you put in. there’s other fields within pharmacy that you can look into like pharmacy law as an example if you are interested, but if not there’s always other options. i thought i wouldn’t find anything after pharmacy school, but it takes time to heal & get back on your feet. wishing you the best & i hope you find something whether it be pharmacy or not that brings you happiness!

[@TheSantos173]

Did you fail your exams and what year did you drop out?

[@trinhsisters]

can I ask what you’re doing now since you left pharm school?

[@AshishAntil]

And what are you doing now?

[@amazonrocks7349]

The problem with a lot of these healthcare paths such as being a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, veterinarian, optometrist, physical therapist, etc is that you have to dedicate so much extra schooling compared to undergrads who pursue stuff like engineering, computer science, accounting/finance, etc. And if you make the wrong choice you're pretty much screwed. I think the important question to ask yourself is do you see yourself in healthcare? If you do, then you should pursue something in allied health sciences such as radiology technology, nursing, respiratory therapy, cardiovascular technology, etc which all take considerably less time (2 year associate or 4 year bachelors) and don't require taking out so much loans. Try to focus on what you want out of a career. Is it direct patient contact like nursing? Is it technical procedures such as radiation therapy? Is it more science based lab procedures such as biology or chemistry? This is going to require a lot of introspection on your end and I think just watching a "day in the life" video of a number of professions will help get that spark going for you.

[@christinee]

yeah it can be a bit difficult to change paths b/c of all the schooling & diff requirements that each career has ): as well as financial aid b/c you’ll have all this debt after on top of providing for yourself. thank you for the advice, i really appreciate it!

[@amazonrocks7349]

@@christinee No problem. I was in a somewhat similar situation not too long ago, but the difference was I wasn't able to get into medical school and ended up graduating with a biology degree and of course it made finding a job a living hell. Then I had to ask myself if I was only doing this because I got pressured into it by family or if I even liked what I was doing. The conclusion I've reached was that I didn't even like healthcare. Healthcare is exhausting and you're constantly sacrificing your mental and emotional welfare to take care of others. I think the most important thing to do in life is to find what makes you happy, so it didn't make sense to me to continue pursing something that was draining my soul every day. Anyways, rant over lol. Hope I was of some help to ya.

[@sassoud9347]

You should of transferred school. I love my school we are a big pharmily

[@BlondeshellIvy]

What school do you attend?

[@asmazainab4255]

is it possible to go pharm D program after studying pharm tech 4 month program

[@temperate_star]

No the prerequisite foe Phard D programs are AT LEAST 2 years of college classes- but many require a bachelor for entry. Pharm Tech is a certificate, typically not able to build off of those towards major degrees.

[@bluethunder9102]

Yes you can go to a 6 year pharmD program check out mcphs or acphs

[@ptgsdr589]

I'm sorry

[@ptgsdr589]

but I think that the pharmacy school and the pharmacy job is two different thing