Hello, I'm Khadija a second-year Pharmacy student. A typical day as a pharmacy student at RCSI starts at 9:00 AM and ends around 5:00 PM, but the reality is that no two days look the same.

Between back-to-back lectures, formulating emulsions in labs, dispensing medications in simulated pharmacies and media team duties for the Islamic Society, it is a constant balancing act. Here is an unfiltered day in my life, in case you’re wondering what you are getting yourself into.

6:30am: Getting ready and the commute

My day starts at 6:30am when I get ready for university. I take the bus and aim to arrive by 9am, though knowing Dublin traffic, it’s more of a hopeful estimate. Use your commute wisely: I usually catch up on social media or zone out looking out the window whilst listening to some music, but if an assignment is looming, getting a head start can save hours later in the evening.

9:00am: Morning lectures

Starting the morning with lectures isn’t too bad because it gives you a gradual ease into the day. Lectures are genuinely fun when the module actually clicks with your interests and especially when you are sitting with your friends. Learning about the properties of how drugs work at its core gives you an insight into why certain real-life instructions, like avoiding grapefruit juice, are actually listed.

11:00am: Study break or library time

When there’s a block of free time between classes, my friends and I make the most of it.

Where we go: We either chill on the couches at York Street or head to the library to get work done. Focus: I prefer working alone to minimise distractions. Studying: My absolute favourite part of studying is getting to take a break to read on my Kindle or play Block Blast! Extracurriculars: I also use downtime to work on posters or reels for the ISOC Instagram page or work on this blog.

1:00pm: Lunch time

Lunch is usually at 1pm. Sometimes I bring a packed lunch from home, like pasta, a sandwich, a roll or food that my mum made. Other times, I head straight to one of the college’s cafeterias, 1784. My favourite section is definitely the Switchin’ Kitchen because the menu changes daily: burgers, lasagne, spice bag or fish and chips.

2:00pm: Hands-on labs or interactive workshops

Some days are heavy on practicals.

Lab prep tip: You should try to look at the worksheets before coming in so you know the core foundations. It saves you from scrambling mid-experiment. What we do: We get to visualise bacteria and fungi, make complex emulsions and practise dispensing medication from RCSI's simulated pharmacy. Workshops: These are basically interactive lectures. For example, if we learn about hypertension in theory, a workshop brings us through patient cases where we have to figure out the right treatment plan using our knowledge. 

5:00pm: Socialising and downtime

Being at RCSI is not just about endless studying and lectures, it’s about the close-knit friendships formed, the memories made and the experiences cherished.

Relaxing: My friends head down to -4 to pray then play pool or table tennis (even though we aren't great at it). I hit the gym sometimes but honestly, I am not consistent. Treating ourselves: We reward ourselves after a long day with a matcha from Kuffee, The Matcha Bar or a sweet treat from It’s A Trap. Societies: Some evenings, societies hold events like games night, picnics and dinners. Joining a society that feels like home gives you a much needed respite from your workload.

6:30pm: Evening and unwinding

After coming home, I change into comfortable clothes, eat dinner while watching a show or YouTube and call my parents to catch up. Before calling it a night, I spend a few minutes preparing myself for tomorrow by taking a look at the upcoming lectures. It takes little time but it removes looming anxiety about not knowing what tomorrow might hold. Finally, I read a chapter of my book to officially end the day. The workload is heavy but taking rest and winding down is the ultimate key to surviving as a pharmacy student.