Starting pharmacy school, everyone said how fast time goes by. I genuinely did not believe them because going through the rigorous curriculum, it is overwhelming and feels as though it will never end. However, as I write this, I am almost halfway done with my APPE rotations and starting to stress about preparing for life post graduation.

That transition is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Between rotations, licensure exams, career decisions, and personal well-being, it’s easy to feel pulled in every direction. This guide is my attempt to share the lessons, strategies, and reflections that have helped me navigate the journey—and that I hope will help you, too.

APPE Rotations: Building Your Professional Identity

• Treat every rotation as an audition and show up prepared, engaged, and curious.
• Document clinical pearls daily; they’ll become invaluable for both exams and practice.
• Seek feedback early and often. Preceptors appreciate initiative, and you’ll grow faster.
• Secure letters of recommendation before the rotation ends—timing matters.

While rotations shape our professional identity, the looming exams are never far from our minds.

Licensure Prep: Tackling NAPLEX and MPJE

• Create a realistic study timeline that fits your rotation schedule.
• Use trusted resources like RxPrep and UWorld, but tailor them to your learning style.
• Mix active recall (quizzing, flashcards) with practice questions for retention.
• Don’t neglect the MPJE – compliance and law knowledge are just as critical as clinical skills. Once exams are on the horizon, the next big question becomes: where do you see yourself practicing?

Career Pathways: Exploring Your Options as You are Preparing for Life Post Graduation

• Community Pharmacy: Patient-facing, fast-paced, and rewarding for those who thrive on direct interaction.
• Hospital/Clinical Pharmacy: Opportunities to specialize and collaborate closely with healthcare teams.

• Industry & Nontraditional Roles: From medical affairs to informatics, pharmacists are shaping drug development, technology, and policy. For example, informatics pharmacists design clinical decision support tools that directly impact patient safety.

Of course, career decisions aren’t made based solely on one thing—finances and personal well-being play a huge role, too.

Finance & Wellness: Protecting Your Future Self

• Budget early – student loans, board fees, and relocation costs add up quickly.
• Block out at least one evening a week for yourself (and protect it fiercely).
• Acknowledge imposter syndrome, but don’t let it define you. Growth comes from leaning into discomfort.
• Surround yourself with peers and mentors who lift you up, you don’t have to do this alone.

The path from student pharmacist to licensed professional isn’t a straight line, it’s a series of small, intentional steps. Whether it’s capturing clinical pearls during rotations, carving out time for NAPLEX prep, or protecting your own well-being, every choice builds the foundation for the pharmacist you’re becoming.

My challenge to you: Write down one action you’ll take to move closer to your goal. It doesn’t have to be big – just intentional. Because the truth is, you’re not just preparing for exams or rotations. You’re preparing for the career, and the impact you’ve been working toward all along.

By Jennah Brygger, PharmD Candidate 2026