Supported by my Fears

Hi, I’m going to take you through a personal real-life tale that intertwines the challenge of academic pursuit with the tapestry of personal development in a pharmacy school. It all started when I secured admission into Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, which many regard as the most prestigious and peaceful university in Nigeria. I remember the joy that swept over me; it was overwhelming because, against all odds, I got into the course I applied for.

You’re going to find out about how my experiences in the first year set the stage for the rest of my school life. Classes commenced swiftly in January 2017, and our first departmental lecture, PCP101 or Introduction to Pharmacy, was on the schedule each Friday. Alongside this were foundational courses like Math and Physics held at the Main Campus. Even a month-long ASUU strike couldn’t dampen the excitement I felt during my first year.

In my opinion, the real taste of what it meant to study pharmacy didn’t hit until the move to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) for our sophomore year. That’s when things started to ramp up. The complexity and volume of departmental courses piled on, and we found ourselves juggling these with cognate courses at the College of Health Sciences alongside other paramedical students. I won’t sugarcoat it; it was a struggle.

Choose something that resonates with you. For me, handling the advanced courses struck a chord of anxiety I had not anticipated. The second year, known for its rate-limiting stage reputation, did not disappoint in its rigor. Pharmaceutics, especially PCT201 and PCT205, posed as my Achilles’ heel, shrugging my affinity for the straightforwardness of non-calculus subjects. Despite not being a prodigy nor a slacker, just your average student, the shock of having to resit five courses hit me hard. But you know what? This was only the prelude to the resilience I was yet to muster for the coming years.

In my story, transitioning to the second year at Usmanu Danfodiyo University’s Teaching Hospital marked a pivotal moment where the academic intensity really picked up. I was faced with a mix of departmental and cognate courses alongside other paramedical students, and frankly, this was no picnic. The second year is notorious among pharmacy students – a make-or-break period that can set the tone for the rest of your academic career. And yes, it was as tough as it sounds.

I remember grappling with courses like Pharmaceutics, where calculus reared its head, and frankly, calculus was not my cup of tea. It’s one thing to cope with demanding courses; it’s another to do it amidst recurring ASUU strikes that would disrupt our schedule for months on end. I wasn’t aiming for distinctions – just to pass and move forward. But, life had other plans. I was heartbroken when I found myself having to resit not one, not two, but five courses.

You can think of resilience as a muscle, and that year certainly put mine to the test. By sheer will and a fair share of sleepless nights spent studying, I managed to pass. Still, it became clear to me that this was just the beginning of a series of uphill battles.

With the third year came some reprieve, or at least so I thought. Alas, Dispensing, a Pharmaceutics course, soon became the object of my distress. The simple act of attending practical classes was enough to get my nerves jangling. Things seemed to be on an even keel until results day came. Resits, the bane of my existence, greeted me yet again.

I became all too familiar with the resit process, but failing Dispensing the second time was a particularly stinging blow. It wasn’t just about repeating a course; it was accepting that an entire year would be dedicated to overcoming this one hurdle. That year, 2019, became a test of my faith and tenacity. There were times when I questioned whether I had chosen the right path – the whispers of doubt can be quite persuasive at your lowest.

But then, from the deepest wells of despair, I found solace in an old verse, ‘Be patient over what befalls you.’ That became my mantra, bringing an overwhelming sense of calm and helping me regain my footing. I steeled myself for the task ahead, armed with patience and a newfound resolve.

Still, telling my parents about my situation was daunting. I feared that they would call me unserious, shame me, and perhaps leave me to fend for myself. I knew I could not bear being abandoned by my family, and so, I kept the situation to myself until after a few months, when I broke the news to my mom and dad in a low tone after a family dinner. Surprisingly, their unwavering belief in my destiny and their support were the pillars I leaned on during this turbulent time. With the renewed confidence they instilled in me, I found courage to approach people within my network more freely to ask for help. I found not just comfort, but an outpouring of support from my family, Dr. IN, my mentors, senior colleagues, and friends. Their faith in me was instrumental in propelling me forward through the turmoil.

As I prepared for my comeback, the world went into lockdown. The COVID-19 pandemic meant another unforeseen pause in my academic journey. But rather than brood, I chose to enliven my spirit by diving into computer lessons, cooking up new recipes, attending Islamiyya, and rediscovering my love for drawing. Another twist followed with a nine-month ASUU strike. Endless delays, right? But remember, delay is not always a sign of denial. It’s in the waiting that we find the strength to persevere.

Now, let me take you to the final chapters of my pharmacy school journey. After overcoming hurdle after hurdle, I felt a blend of relief and triumph. My fourth year in pharmacy school was a celebration of resilience – I had no resits. I’d found my stride with a group of friends, the Mavericks, who turned the classroom into a place of joy and support.

As my story unfolded to the crescendo of the fifth and final year, the notion of ‘financial extortion’ became a reality; yet, it wasn’t enough to overshadow the sense of accomplishment that came with each completed course. There was this one last Pharmaceutics course, PCT505 (Industrial Pharmacy), that wanted to take a bow with me, but guess what? I turned the tables and succeeded.

Reflecting back, it’s crystal clear: Pharmaceutics was my Goliath, and the third year was my battlefield. The strikes and delays, which added years to my expected graduation timeline, now seem like footnotes in a saga of personal growth and victory. Everyone has their share of struggles, and when I see the mountains others have climbed, my heart swells with gratitude.

What seemed endless, filled with trials and uncertainty, culminated in an induction ceremony on a beautiful Friday that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. With the poise of a professional who’d weathered the storm, I stood proud among my peers as we were welcomed into the noble pharmacy profession. It was destiny; it was written – Maktub!

Pharmacy school taught me more than just the science of medicines; it taught me the virtues of patience, faith, and relentless determination. To anyone out there questioning their path or facing their own battles, remember that delays are not denials. Life is indeed a test, peppered with trials that shape us into who we’re meant to become.

Now a licensed pharmacist, I share my story, hoping it might light a candle of hope in someone’s journey. And so, I leave you with a thought that became my anchor – ‘Which of the favors of my Lord would I deny?’ To this, my heart responds, ‘None.’