What's a day in the life like for a third-year pharmacy student?
Are you wondering what it’s like to be a third-year pharmacy student?
Vinny Rotunno is a third-year pharmacy student at Concordia University Wisconsin. Vinny shares what a typical day is like for him.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello! My name is Vinny Rotunno, and I am from Lindenhurst, IL, and currently in my third year of pharmacy school at Concordia University Wisconsin. This is the last semester of our program’s didactic curriculum before starting our fourth-year clinical rotations this upcoming May. While completing my pharmacy education, I am also working on my MBA degree with a Healthcare Administration concentration through Concordia’s Batterman School of Business.
What are you involved with on-campus?
During my time at Concordia, I have been exposed to many experiences that have helped me grow as an individual. I currently hold multiple leadership roles within the School of Pharmacy, including Chapter President of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) and Co-Chair of Operation Diabetes for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) on our campus. I am also a teaching assistant for our program’s Applied Patient Care courses and academic tutor, which has allowed me to work with fellow students at the P1 and P2 level.
What is a typical day like for you?
It seems that every day is a little bit different, but I usually get up between 5:00am – 6:00am and start by reviewing my calendar and tasks that need to be completed. My class schedule varies depending on the day and can range from starting as early as 7:30am and can end as late as 6:00pm. We are able to choose between different elective opportunities during our third year, and a few courses I am enrolled in include cardiology, diabetes, and oncology.
Regardless of the day, there is a lunch hour that runs just over an hour-long time block starting at noon every day. I usually spend this time at meetings for the organizations I am a part of or meeting with other teaching assistants regarding upcoming labs.
On Tuesday nights, I also hold group tutoring sessions for second-year pharmacy students in their Pharmacotherapy course. During this semester, I am also enrolled in an elective rotation experience in Clinical Administration where I spend every Wednesday for the 15 week semester at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Fortunately, we have no classes on Friday this semester, which allows me to recharge and plan ahead for the upcoming week.
What do you do when you’re not studying?
When I am not studying or fulfilling my responsibilities at school, I also work as an Inpatient Pharmacy Intern for Froedtert South and a Pharmacy Intern for Walgreens. Being able to manage my time effectively allows me to apply the knowledge I gain at Concordia into real-life scenarios at work. While COVID-19 has slightly impacted how I like to spend my free time, I still enjoy spending time with my dog, Kai, reading, and try my best to stay active by working out at the gym, playing hockey, and getting outside when possible.
What has your experience at Concordia’s School of Pharmacy been like?
Concordia has provided an incredible experience for me throughout my time in pharmacy school by challenging me to be the best version of myself while still prioritizing my well-being during these busy four years.
From the second I stepped on campus, I’ve felt at home and always find myself having meaningful interactions with the great people on campus. Even during the transition to virtual learning, faculty and leadership in the School of Pharmacy have kept us connected and have placed student safety first. Pharmacy school has served as an outstanding opportunity to develop as a person while forming relationships with both the students and faculty that I am confident will last a lifetime.
Want to know more?
If you want to learn more about Concordia’s School of Pharmacy, join us for a visit day and find more information here.
—
If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.