What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Pharmacology!

I am two’s weeks into to Pharmacology and just took my midterm this past weekend. I’m not going to lie, I have felt a bit lost in class. But don’t worry there’s always a way, and here are a few tips that might help you. As you know my classes are accelerated, which means each class is only 4 weeks! In these last two weeks, we have covered twenty-two chapters, in addition to several ATI assignments that are due weekly. So here are a few tips I wish I would have done prior to starting pharmacology.

1. The first tip would be to crack the book open! I know what you are thinking why would I read the book if I haven’t even started class! After reading the book it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. The chapters were easy to follow and I wish I would have attempted to try and at least skim the chapters. So don’t be intimidated to open that book.
2. My second tip is to watch the ATI’s prior to starting class. Although the ATI’s can be tedious, I would advise taking notes. Plus the pressure is off when you’re watching them on your time. This way when you start class you will be well prepared and better understand all the information that is coming to you.
3. My third tip communicates with your peers early. There was a pharmacology class that had started a few days prior to mine, I wish I would have communicated with my classmates beforehand. Some of my peers record the lectures, and I wish I would have got a copy of those lectures prior to starting class. This way I could have been better prepared. I would have listened to the lecture, pulled out the powerpoints and started taking my notes. I know it can seem like a lot of work but, it’s better to be prepared and ahead of the class than to be lost and feel like your already behind on the first-day class.

I hope these tips will help you prior to starting pharmacology or any class at that! I know I wished I had followed these tips prior to starting class. Often I tell myself, “remember this for the next class, or here’s a study tip that will definitely help me.” So I wanted to make sure I wrote about it to help me or anyone in their next class.  Good luck! And remember you will pass this class!

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