Embracing my strengths
Collin Sanders is a second-year PharmD candidate at The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy.
As I walked into The University of Georgia (UGA) College of Pharmacy for the first day of class 2 years ago, my heart was beating so hard I was thinking surely others could hear it. My palms were sweating, and I was frantically scanning the room for any familiar face. Finally, I spotted one person I knew, and I made a mad dash toward her to avoid talking to the strangers around me. The room was filled with positive energy and excited chatter from the anticipation of beginning this next phase of our educational journey. I was just excited to ease into my seat and the comfort of focusing on my studies and not the people around me.
I’m sure everyone can relate to first-day jitters, but my hesitance to engage with unfamiliar people has been a bit of a battle for me my whole life. I was a theater kid and had no problem performing in front of hundreds of people. It’s the one-on-one where I’ve struggled.
Presidential theme resonates with me
After pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone, open up to strangers who are now friends, and even run a successful campaign for president-elect of our APhA–ASP Chapter, I’ve realized my reluctance to engage with those outside my small circle stemmed from a fear of judgment and rejection. Striving for perfection, I feared criticism of my flaws and weaknesses. APhA–ASP National President Miranda Montoya’s theme for this year, “Each of Us, For All of Us,” resonated strongly with me as I have finally come to understand that my strengths hold greater value than my weaknesses and I should embrace those strengths rather than dwell on my imperfections.
Understanding what drives us individually
Each of us have unique gifts and talents that we should willingly share with others. This not only helps us realize our full potential but also allows us to positively impact the world around us. Embracing and celebrating our differences is especially important in the pharmacy profession, where diverse roles are prevalent. UGA student pharmacists are encouraged to discover their unique strengths through the Clifton Strengths Test. Armed with this knowledge, students and teachers form groups, leveraging both similarities and differences to achieve great outcomes.
While acknowledging weaknesses is important, prioritizing and using our strengths propels us forward. This theme encourages us, as an organization, to understand what drives us individually. Instead of fearing judgment, we must celebrate our unique personalities, recognizing that our diversity is our collective strength. By fostering a supportive environment, we empower individuals, enabling them to contribute their best.
Together, we harness our differences to innovate and improve, embodying the spirit of “Each of Us, For All of Us.”