Maya A. Harris, PharmD, is a 2023–2024 APhA executive resident in Washington, DC.
As a recent pharmacy school graduate and current PGY-1 executive resident, work–life balance has been incredibly hard to maintain. After dedicating the past 4 years of my life to passing exams, I thought that after I graduated, life would finally slow down.
I was completely wrong.
How I maintain balance
My life is just as busy, if not more! On top of satisfying residency requirements, I also must study for NAPLEX and MPJE, all while remembering to prioritize my mental health. I’ve found that I tend to place mental health on the back burner because there is always something I could be learning or preparing for. Now that I have officially completed school and transitioned into the working world, I recognize that there will always be something that needs to be done.
The challenge is intentionally setting aside time to wind down and relax. I still struggle with consistency, but I’m much happier in life because I make time to do what makes me happy.
One way I help maintain a work–life balance is staying in touch with my favorite classmates. Having a support system of people going through exactly what you are going through makes it so much easier to prioritize your mental health. My friends and I check on each other regularly to see how our residency or fellowship is going, and we schedule brunch almost every other month in order to catch up. Having these frequently scheduled gatherings holds us accountable for making time for our mental health. I could not imagine what post-graduation life would be like without my pharmacy friends.
Another way I maintain my work–life balance is by doing community service. Community service is such a fulfilling experience, and I strongly encourage everyone to get involved somehow. Currently, every second and fourth Saturday I feed and clothe the homeless with my fellow church members. We primarily focus on the Washington, DC, population, which has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. While I was at Howard University College of Pharmacy, I also had the opportunity to serve the homeless population by conducting preliminary BP and blood glucose readings. This experience truly fostered my love for serving the underserved. From that moment on, I knew that no matter what role in pharmacy I play, I will always serve the community in some capacity. It really is my passion.
Do it now
The most important lesson I’ve learned when understanding my mental health is to take everything day by day. School is hard, work can be challenging, and life is always unpredictable. If you keep waiting for the right time to “take a break,” you’ll be waiting indefinitely.
The time is now! Think about what makes you happy, find an open slot in your schedule, and commit.