The Peel — Winter Edition

Check In: How do you feel now that finals are over?

Think back to the first day after exams wrapped up. Did you sleep longer than you meant to? Did you wake up and instinctively reach for your laptop before realizing there was nothing due? Did your brain feel oddly quiet — or strangely restless?

That in-between feeling is common after a demanding stretch of pharmacy school. When your schedule has been driven by exams, labs, and rotations for weeks, the sudden absence of pressure can feel unfamiliar. Slowing down doesn’t always feel relaxing right away — sometimes it just feels disorienting.

This check-in isn’t about productivity or reflection. It’s simply about noticing where you are right now.

As you read through this edition, keep this question in mind: What would help me feel grounded and comfortable today — not accomplished, just okay?

Curious about what’s next?

With finals behind you, this can be a good time to think (without pressure) about how you want to use the weeks ahead. Some students want full rest. Others like having something light and meaningful alongside their break.

If you’re interested in gaining patient-facing experience that fits around a student schedule, Grapefruit Health offers flexible, paid opportunities focused on communication, empathy, and real-world clinical interaction.

NAPLEX Preparation

Question of the Week 📚

NAPLEX-Style Thinking

It’s easy to feel like you should be studying constantly — especially with the NAPLEX on the horizon. But effective studying isn’t about volume; it’s about how your brain engages with material.

A few habits that tend to pay off over time:

• Starting with practice questions, even when you don’t feel fully prepared

• Reading the stem slowly and identifying the safety or monitoring priority

• Spending time with incorrect answers to understand why they’re tempting

• Ending sessions when your focus fades, not when the clock tells you to

Before logging off, write down one clear rule or takeaway you’d want to remember under pressure. Those simple rules are what surface when your brain is tired — on exams and in practice.

Going Above and Beyond

You’re becoming a pharmacist not just through exams, but through the experiences you choose alongside them. Community outreach events, health education, research exposure, tutoring, advocacy work, or flexible patient-facing roles all build skills you’ll rely on later — especially communication, adaptability, and confidence interacting with patients.

These experiences also give you information about yourself: what kinds of settings energize you, what populations you connect with, and what type of pharmacist you might want to become. You don’t need to do everything. One experience you’re genuinely curious about can add depth to your training and shape how you approach patient care down the line.

Future you benefits from every skill you build intentionally now.

Rest & Relaxation

With finals behind you, winter doesn’t have to be about pushing or catching up. It’s a chance to let your pace reset and rebuild energy in ways that actually last. Wellness in this season isn’t about adding routines or optimizing habits—it’s about making your days feel more comfortable and sustainable, especially after an intense academic stretch. Small adjustments tend to work better than big changes.

A few winter-friendly ways to support yourself:

• Keep at least one part of your day predictable (morning routine, evening wind-down, or meals)

• Prioritize warmth and rest—warm food, layered clothing, and enough sleep go a long way

• Spend time outside when you can, even briefly, to reset your focus

• Let rest be restorative, not something you need to earn

The goal isn’t to feel energized all the time. It’s to feel steady enough to enjoy your break, return to school refreshed, and move into the next term without carrying extra fatigue. Winter wellness is about easing back in—not powering through.

Something Warm, Just for You

After finals, it’s nice to enjoy a warm drink without attaching it to studying, deadlines, or productivity. A cozy drink can be a simple way to slow down, mark the end of the term, and enjoy a quiet moment during winter break.

A few easy, comforting ideas:

• Hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint

• Chai or spiced black tea with milk

• Herbal teas like chamomile, ginger, or rooibos

• Warm apple cider or apple tea

These kinds of small rituals can help your body relax and signal that it’s okay to be off-duty for a bit. No pressure to make anything elaborate—sometimes the best part is just holding something warm and letting yourself pause.

Enjoy the sip, take your time, and let it be part of the exhale.

Freshly Squeezed Jokes 🍊

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One Last Thing 💡

You don’t need to make this break impressive. Let it be restorative in whatever way feels natural to you. You’re learning, growing, and building skills that compound over time — even when it doesn’t feel dramatic.

We’ll be here when you’re ready to jump back in. Enjoy the break—and take good care of yourself!

—
The Grapefruit Health Team