Timeyin Boyo

I would describe my experience at RCSI to date as memorable. When it comes to academics, I admit it was challenging for me to gain my footing in the programme, especially during COVID-19. But making friends and getting to know my environment overtime made it easier and has allowed me to make great memories.

Getting involved in student life also contributed to my memorable experience. I’ve the pleasure of participating in activities that were held by numerous societies, the most recent being Teddy Bear Hospital with the Paediatric Society and High School Musical with the Drama Society.

As a former boarding school student, I found the transition familiar in a way especially because I lived with other RCSI students. It took time to become familiar with Ireland as it is somewhat different than Canada where I came from, but with time I learnt more about myself and what I want my time in Ireland to look like.

Transitioning in regard to studying at RCSI was academically challenging as any transition to university schoolwork is. But the support I got from my classmates, personal tutor and other RCSI services really helped me get comfortable.

What I’ve enjoyed the most about the pharmacy programme is the way learning is incorporated into a variety of ways. From chemistry labs to placement, we are given a lot of opportunities to practice what we learn in theory.

I’ve taken part in the APPEL Year 2 placement where I was placed in a community pharmacy for 14 days over 14 weeks. I really enjoyed this experience as it helped me apply what I had been taught so far in the programme. I had no previous community pharmacy experience so I was worried about how I would fit working in this field, but I ended up learning a lot during my placement which solidified my positive feelings towards working in community pharmacy.

There is a lot going at RCSI in regard to student life. With the variety of clubs and societies available, there is something for everyone to get into extracurricular wise. My favourite thing about the societies at RCSI are the opportunities they provide to meet other students in different year groups and to grow academic interests that are related to your programme.

For example, ICHAMS is a conference organised by RCSI students in various year groups that allows RCSI students and students from other universities to present their research projects. Students can even attend just to read the research posters and talk to the authors about their work.

My highlight at my time at RCSI has been working on High School Musical with the Drama Society. As someone who likes to participate in musicals and plays, it has been a great way to meet others who also share some interest and who can relate to what you’re studying in some way. I’ve also loved being on the Caribbean African Society as a general committee member, although it can get busy it has ultimately been very rewarding.

At this point, I’m not sure what I want to go into upon graduation. The two things I’ve learned about pharmacy generally is that there are so many fields of work that involve it and that you never have to choose one sector of pharmacy to work in and remain in forever. I am hoping to gain more community pharmacy experience whether that be during the 5th year placement or upon graduation.

Timeyin Boyo, Pharmacy