I took a big decision four years ago

Four years of a bittersweet journey in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree finally came to an end. It’s something that seemed impossible four years ago as pharmacy particularly is not an easy major. When I entered the building for the first time, I could feel the vibe was all about study, study, and study. I didn’t see any “fun” in this major at first. Classes started, I realized how complicated this major would be. A crystal clear that there wouldn’t be anything else other than going to classes, studying, and finishing assignments under tight deadlines.

First-year of college passed by. The first summer holiday I took a trip to Japan to attend an international conference. Not my first abroad trip but my very first international conference that changed the way I see pharmacy major. I was a college student who was shaking and sweating to death every time I had to give a speech or present something in front of a big audience. But I beat my fear. I joined several competitions there that required me to present a paper in front of a not-so-big audience but still managed to make my forehead and back were soaking in sweat. I was told to engage with the audience by having eye contact with them. I didn't even manage to do such a thing as I was busy reading my notes and with my head that was full of the memorized script. However, it was a big turning point. I managed to deliver the presentation well. Thank God I didn't mess myself. Practice makes perfect, indeed, and ultimately I have become more confident than I was before.

So, get back to the pharmacy thing. This conference opened up my mind about how cool and fun pharmacy major is. I got to meet amazing soon-to-be pharmacists and pharmacists from across the Asia Pacific. Not only the Japan trip that turned my life but also the subsequent trips to conference and competitions. Four years ago everything seemed blurry, I was afraid that I took the wrong decision. Time passing by until I got to the point where I could see things clearer, I started to enjoy what I’m studying, I started to realize that I came to a right decision. I started to explore and discover myself to find out the what kind of life that I want to have in the future by coming down to a career path in pharmacy field.

If I ask myself, what’s the different between me four years ago and me now the answer would be I wasn’t brave enough as I’m now. Brave in terms of taking risk, trying new things, going out of comfort zone, and of course stepping up to give a talk in front of a big audience.

This four years journey was not just about attending classes, sitting down on lecture time, doing assignments, and all the boring stuff. It was the meaningful piece of learning along the way that I value the most. The value that I believe I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else.?

Dear myself, thank you for taking a big decision four years ago, thank you for always thriving all this time. This is just a gate to a new beginning, to more challenges to come. Cheers to more exciting journey ahead!