Conquered

This past week I conquered something I have been dreading for almost 3 years… my P3 seminar.  Basically I had to pick a pharmacy-related controversy, spend hours (literally hundreds of hours) researching the topic and studies relating to the controversy and then present my findings in an hour long presentation to the students and faculty of the pharmacy school. 

I’m not a fan of public speaking, but to make matters worse the professor over my seminar section is the most intense professor of the entire college.  For the past several months, I have watched him, week after week; tear apart other pharmacy students’ seminars.  He criticizes the lighting they selected for the room, the layout of their slides, the pace of their presentation, how many times a student said ‘they’ instead of the author’s name, the filler words they used,  and on, and on, and on.  My fear of public speaking combined with the intensity of my professor just about sent me over the edge.

But, I’m happy to report that I survived my seminar (without ever passing out, vomiting, or breaking down into tears) and actually ended up doing pretty well.  I knew things were a success, when at the end of my presentation, the overly critical professor stood up and said, “Well wasn’t that the most delightful seminar” and then proceeded to compliment my presentation.  Wow!  

Looking at my whole seminar experience I am so grateful for sooo many people who helped and supported me through the whole ordeal.  A special thanks goes to:

• ·         My close friends and family who literally prayed for me and my seminar performance every day for a week leading up to the actual presentation.

• ·         My awesome Compassionate Service committee who have been doing the brunt of the work because I’ve been so swamped with school.

• ·         My daddy who was more than willing to give me a father’s blessing a few weeks before my seminar, because I was overwhelmed with preparing for seminar, succeeding in all my other classes, juggling my church calling, having a social life, and working.

• ·         My mom who patiently watched 3 or 4 versions of my seminar and who always was willing to listen to another practice, even when she had her own long list of things to do.

• ·         My awesome pharmacy friend, Sydney, who took work off the day of my seminar so she could be a friendly face in the crowd.   [She also helped carry all of my seminar supplies (i.e. my lecture handouts and yummy donuts and bottled water) across campus].

• ·         Michael Filtz, a clinical pharmacist at Huntsman Cancer Institute, who edited, re-edited, and re-re-edited (is that even a word) my handouts and slides and who helped me filter my seminar down into something that was understandable.

• ·         My co-workers who let me be pre-occupied at work.  They offered their advice and encouragement and didn’t mind when I totally bailed at them during lunch to study--- I know, lame.

• ·         And the countless friends who spoke, texted, and e-mailed words of encouragement both before and after my presentation. 

As I thought of all the people who played a role in my seminar, I became overwhelmed with gratitude.  I have so many, many people who care about me, and who are constantly helping me forge my path through life.  So thanks to all of my fabulous family and friends, I wouldn’t be where I am without you.  You’re helping mold me into the person I’d like to be, and I’ll always be indebted to you.