Pharmacy school can be a thrilling journey filled with classroom lectures, laboratory work, and clinical experiences. Yet, there’s one aspect of this educational adventure that often strikes fear into the hearts of many students – the dreaded pharmacy roleplays. I remember the first time we were asked to practise our medication counselling and history taking: it was a nerve-wracking experience.

While it’s normal to feel nervous, these are some strategies I have used to overcome these anxieties in class to perform the best I can in my assessments:

Preparation is Key: Prepare thoroughly for the roleplay by reviewing relevant material from lectures, tutorials, and workshops. Ask for help from your teachers and your classmates – they may be struggling with the same concepts as you! The more you know beforehand, the more confident you’ll feel in class.

Seek Feedback: After the roleplay, ask for constructive feedback from peers and professors. This is especially helpful for communication adjustments, such as the speed in which you are talking and the language that you use. Use this feedback to improve your skills and confidence (and remember not to take it personally).

Don’t Fear Failure: Failure can be a stepping stone to improvement, so don’t let it deter you. Shift your mindset from fearing roleplays to seeing them as valuable learning opportunities. Remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Plus, it is better to make mistakes in class than in the exam and in real life!

Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become. I found it easier to roleplay with my friends outside of class for more practice as it was a more comfortable environment to talk through content without feeling like others were listening.

Pharmacy roleplays may be anxiety-inducing, but they are an essential part of your education. They provide the practical skills and experience necessary for your future career, firstly in internship and then beyond. Overcoming the nervousness associated with roleplays takes time, practice, and a shift in mindset. With determination and a commitment to learning from your experiences, you can navigate these challenges and come out a more confident and capable pharmacy student, ready to take on the world of pharmacy practice!