Undergrad Student Spotlight: Olivia Barson

Q & A

What area of pharmacy practice are you most interested in and why? 

• I am most interested in Neuropharmacology due to the complex nature of the interactions between drugs and the nervous system. This area of research is not only fascinating, but it is much more challenging due to the intricacy of neurotransmitters and receptors within the brain. Despite the challenges that I may encounter within this area of pharmacy practice, my main goal is to work as hard as I can to help those suffering from neurological disorders and provide patients with a treatment plan that will benefit them the most. Neurological disorders have been constantly researched and tested to determine a proper cure, but little to no cures have actually been found. 
   

What’s one study habit or routine that has been essential to your success in undergraduate studies?

• One study habit/routine that has been essential to my success in my undergraduate career has been Quizlet and GoodNotes. Both of these platforms are available for free online and have greatly benefited my performance in my classes. I primarily use Quizlet for exams to make flash cards and use the other features they offer like practice tests and memorization games. As for GoodNotes, I use this platform to take all of my notes and keep track of my assignments by organizing all of my classes and items into separate folders. This app has been a great resource in my studies and I plan to use it after I graduate and go to Pharmacy school.
   

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself since starting undergraduate school?

• One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about myself since starting my college career has been my ability to persevere. College classes in general are much different than those I took in high school, let alone rigorous science and math courses required for my major. However, through midterms, finals, and stressful semesters in general, I have been able to stay motivated and determined to apply myself and my abilities to my school work. Not only has my ability to preserve surprised me, but I have been surprised by my ability to retain information from courses surrounding multiple aspects of pharmaceuticals. Not only is the pharmacy field vast, but the amount of content and information one needs to know to succeed is much more than I ever imagined I would be able to retain. Overall, my undergraduate career has been a time to learn more about myself along with my passion for pharmacy.
   

How do you plan to continue your education and professional development after graduation? 

• After graduation, I plan to start pharmacy school as soon as possible in order to continue my education. During my time in pharmacy school, I plan to spend as much time as I can getting first hand experience in the field, whether that be shadowing pharmacists, working in a pharmacy as a technician, or volunteering. Gaining this experience while also broadening my knowledge will benefit me in my future career after pharmacy school and allow me to be prepared for anything to come in the career path I have chosen. In my future professional career, I plan to continue to apply all that I have learned in my undergraduate studies along with the knowledge I will gain in graduate school and in my time in the field. 
   

What’s your favorite spot on campus to relax or study? 

• My favorite spot on campus to study is the main library on floors 3 or 4. Both of these floors are more secluded from the rest of the students in the library so I am able to sit down and focus my full attention on the task at hand without being distracted by anything. I’ve been studying in the library since I was a freshman and I haven’t found another place that I enjoy more to sit down and spend time on school work. If I am looking to relax, I usually sit outside of the library in the chairs or at the tables on the side closest to the mall. It is nice to unwind in fresh air while also being a part of the campus life.