180 Martina Aikon
Hey there pharmacy family! Welcome back to the Untold Stories of Pharmacy Students Series! Today we're tackling something every single one of us can relate to...those moments when pharmacy school gets really tough.
Have you ever looked at your module and thought, "There is absolutely no way I'm going to get through this"? Today's episode is your ultimate survival guide. Meet Martina Aikon, BPSA's Annual Conference Organiser and honestly, just a total boss when it comes to turning academic challenges into opportunities. Born and raised in London, Martina crossed borders to study at Swansea University with a passion for chemistry - but without the traditional A-level Biology background.
About Martina
Martina's interest in pharmacy stemmed from studying A-level Chemistry, combining her love for science with making an impact on people's health. She lives by three principles: treat others as you would treat yourself, practice humility and serve others, and when God blesses you, use that to be a blessing to someone else. Outside her studies, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring new foods with friends, and connecting with fellow Christians.
This isn't just another study tips episode. She’s giving you practical steps you can implement right away. Whether you're struggling with a tough subject, feeling behind, or if you’ve wondered if you belong in pharmacy at all - get ready for three game-changing strategies that will completely reshape how you approach your pharmacy studies.
Three Game-Changing Strategies
Strategy 1: Overcoming Academic Challenges
Without an A-level biology background, Martina struggled with her first-year biology module covering cell biology, microbiology, and pharmacology. After receiving lower marks than expected, she took initiative by discovering the YouTube channel "Professor David Explains" which covered the biology topics she was struggling with. She also met with her module coordinator who reviewed her exam paper, identifying strengths and weaknesses while providing valuable tips like including drawings in paper-based exams. By combining these resources with lecture notes and library materials, Martina improved her exam scores by 10% between January and summer exams.
Strategy 2: Saying Yes to Opportunities
Martina initially planned to just attend lectures and get her degree without extracurricular involvement. Her journey changed when she questioned the lack of female representation in the newly forming pharmacy society, which led to her becoming Vice President and later President. As part of Swansea University's first pharmacy cohort, she helped establish the society and organised events like a beach celebration and icebreaker socials. She took an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion approach, promoting events such as Black History Month and International Women's Day to ensure students felt comfortable expressing themselves. She expanded the committee structure to include various officer roles, creating a lasting legacy for future students.
Martina also became a student representative for the Pharmacist Defence Association after attending the BPSA Annual Conference in Portsmouth. In this role, she promotes the PDA's work to students, encourages membership renewals, and represents student issues at regular meetings, learning valuable lessons about trade unions and advocacy.
Strategy 3: Personal Development Through Journaling
Martina began journaling in 2020/2021 during Bible studies to deepen her faith, but soon realised its value for broader personal development. Through journaling, she found she could transfer thoughts from her head to paper, allowing space for new perspectives and helping her tackle difficulties. She developed a "green for gratitude" concept in her daily diary, writing in green ink about things she's grateful for each day. This practice improved her outlook on life, especially on days when she felt unproductive, by helping her appreciate what went well rather than focusing only on uncompleted tasks.
Leadership Skills & Time Management
As the Annual Conference Organiser for BPSA, Martina is responsible for planning their flagship event, coordinating speakers, social events, venues, and working with multiple stakeholders. This role has strengthened her time management skills as she balances the schedules of everyone involved while communicating effectively with different groups who each have unique expectations. These leadership experiences are developing transferable skills she'll use throughout her pharmacy career.
Achievements and Future Plans
Among her achievements, Martina was awarded a Black History Month Youth Award by Race Council Cymru in October 2023, secured her first pharmacy job during her second year of studies, and supported a friend in establishing a community for Christian women. Looking ahead, she is passionate about improving the pharmacy workforce and enhancing patient experiences. After graduation, she plans to complete her foundation training year in community pharmacy and is considering taking on another leadership role within pharmacy to implement her fresh ideas for the profession.
Key Takeaways
The conversation with Martina offers valuable insights for pharmacy students:
don't hesitate to seek help from professors and utilise university resources – you're paying for your education, so make the most of it.
Say yes to opportunities, even if they seem outside your comfort zone, as you never know where they might lead.
Consider using journaling as a tool for reflection, personal growth, and practicing gratitude.
Remember that extracurricular activities develop transferable skills like leadership, time management, and communication that are invaluable in pharmacy practice.
Finally, consider how your unique perspective can contribute to improving the pharmacy profession as a whole.
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CONNECT WITH MARTINA:
Linkedin: Martina Aikon
OTHER LINKS:
The music from this series has been created by a pharmacy student! BPSA’s president, Emeka Onwudiwe, is a talented student and incredible entrepreneur. I am so proud to share his music on my podcast. Go and check the music production company and the word that they do: Inplus Music
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