ALL ABOUT PHARMACY SCHOOL: Pre-Pharmacy, The Interview and EIB!

HEY EVERYONE! Thanks for visiting my blog - I'm starting a new blog series on my life as a Pharmacy Student. I plan to call it "PHARMHacks: A Pharmacy Student's Survival Guide". My goal is to keep you all updated on my matriculation through pharmacy school. This year will be such a important and exciting year for me as I transition from undergraduate to professional school, turn 21 and take my new car back to school with me!

I believe I may have mentioned before that I have aspired to be a pharmacist since I was in 7th grade. Healthcare has always been something I have been passionate about and science was always interesting and fascinating to me. I am starting this series to answer questions for those who may not know a lot about Pharmacy School, Pharmacy as a Profession and even for those who are looking into pursuing a career in Pharmacy. I had so many questions coming up as a high school student about what types of programs were out there but social media and platforms like YouTube and such weren't as big of a hit back then so I was limited on resources besides attending workshops for students hosted by Healthcare professionals, contacting various schools for information specific to my interests and StudentDoctorNework (which I must say was extremely helpful). Even today, it seems that resources, scholarships and recognition are overlooked for Pharmacy students. I hope to provide some insight for those who are in high school and looking into Pharmacy as a potential field of study.

Looking forward, as I prepare to enter Pharmacy School for my P1 Year (1st Professional) I am both anxious and extremely nervous for the notorious rigor and pace at which I will be adjusting to. I hope I am able to use my 1st blog series as a way to keep a virtual journal of my life and provide some insight on all facets of Pharmacy School - the good, bad and ugly. I'm in no way a genius so I'm anticipating this year will be challenging for me but this summer I have gotten to know myself extremely well and plan to implement some time-management and organization techniques and study habits into my routine to allow me to retain the information I learn for years to come (and to pull out a strong GPA). I have always made good grades but I am known to pull all-nighters and be a bit of a procrastinator. This year I plan to nip that in the bud and balance my social and school life so that I can be successful!

I hope I provided you guys with a thorough background and I look forward to continuing this series in the coming weeks!

Xoxo,

- BHB

P.S. If there are any specific topics you want me to hit on throughout the series please feel free to send me a message or comment below. Also if there are any of you who have completed Pharmacy School or any healthcare related professional program and have tips please share as well!

Pharmacy School, MY SUMMER ADVENTURES & MORE!!!

Happy August to all my brainiacs out there! It's been nearly three whole months and I've been working like crazy this summer. I've done some summer research and even started my own tutoring business (A-PLUS Tutoring & Homework Help) so be sure to shoot me an email if you're in the RDU area (until 8/23/2015) or Hampton Roads area at aplus.hw.help@gmail.com.

In more current news however, I am proud to say that I will be resuming my product reviewer/testing position with Tomoson and can't wait to bring you guys info on great products and even more GIVEAWAYS because everyone loves a good giveaway! I've received a ton of feedback from one of my more recent posts on the process of applying into and being admitted in Pharmacy School and I'm so glad that you guys were interested in my road thus far. Please keep them coming! I happily respond to each and every email I get from you guys. Also, keep spreading the word about my blog. I have so much fun and huge things planned for my blog but I definitely need feedback and an audience to post for. 

As always, I truly appreciate the continued support from everyone and I can't wait to bring you more great things in the coming months!

- BHB

Product Review: Best Flat Iron EVER by StyleHouse

Hello again! I am extremely excited to do a review on this product because I am ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE with it! Not quite a year ago, I invested in a new Remington flat iron called the "Frizz Therapy" iron. It is white with blue ceramic plates and I purchased it for a steal price of $29.99 on Target's website. After doing thorough research and reading through numerous reviews, I went ahead and purchased the 1" plated iron. It worked extremely well and did exactly what it advertised to do by providing a sleek finish on my 3c natural curls on a 350-380 degree (Fahrenheit) temperature setting.... this was dreadfully done with 3-5 passes on each strand. Luckily, I am not a fan of faithfully straightening my own hair and usually wear extensions so I was fortunate enough to maintain my curl pattern with just a bit of occasional heat damage on the portion of my hair that was left out to use for blending my extensions...But, enough about my old flat iron!

Remington Frizz Therapy 1" plated iron

About three days ago, I was in Sam's club with my mom grocery shopping and there was a booth promoting StyleHouse brand flat irons that retail for $199.99 for a promotional Sam's member only UNBELIEVABLE DEAL of 2 for $59.95. Not only was I able to pick out two (2) flat irons to take home for one price, one of the iron's offered was a wet or dry styling iron that retailed for $299.99 on their website. Since I am on spring break and left my Remington back at school, I went ahead and took the plunge and received the wonderful deal. The two irons I selected were the Wet or Dry Styling Iron in the color black and the Professional Styling Iron in the gold leopard color. The deal also came with the Salon Quality Flat Iron Accessory kit that retails for $49.99. The accessory kit included: an iron holder, a chaser flat iron comb and a heat resistant mat/case that helps prevent damage to delicate surfaces and allows stowing away of the flat iron while it is cooling down. I received all of these items for just $59.95! CRAZY RIGHT? I know, I'm still in shock myself. 

So anyways, I was a bit hesitant in using the wet or dry styling iron because I just do not believe there is any way it can be healthy to put heat directly on your hair without blow drying. I did however experiment with the iron by lightly misting my hair with a moisturizer mixture concoction that I created. My moisture mixture includes (coconut oil, tea tree oil, cantu shea butter leave in conditioner, argan oil, jamaican black castor oil, Garnier fructis sleek n shine leave in conditioner and water). I have been having a bit of issue with the ends of my hair being quite dry since I removed my last sew-in so I mixed some of my favorite oils and conditioner and apply it daily to restore the moisture and provide my hair with nutrients. I also applied Tresemme thermal creations Heat Tamer spray as a heat protectant. I then proceeded to sectioning and straightening my hair. Here it is, the most exciting part of the review... I was able to straighten my ENTIRE head in a record time of 45 minutes on 350 degrees WITH ONLY ONE PASS on each section of my hair! Mind you, my sections were fairly generous and not super small. I had never been so excited to straighten my hair!

Afterward, my hair was so full of body, sleek and had a beautiful luster to it.. one that I usually experience after leaving the hair salon. I was so excited after finishing my entire head. So excited that I had to put the iron to the ultimate test and wet a section of my hair to make sure the heat was true to setting. I also tested the section of my hair make sure my hair reverted back to its curly state with no heat damage. I am proud to announce that every curl on my head is in tact with no heat damage. 

Overall, I must say... STYLEHOUSE IS THE TRUTH! I have never been able to achieve salon quality results with my flat irons. Even with my old CHI flat iron that I retired about three years ago. After using this iron, I immediately went online and began doing research and looking for reviews. Astonishingly, this iron is extremely underrated and I have NO IDEA why! This is an amazing iron and I will definitely be supporting the brand and company in the future! I hope I have been convincing enough for you all to give it a try as well! Again, I will say.. This is a review I am choosing to do on my own because I am in love with this product! I was not compensated or sent this flat iron for free. I paid for it with my own money. Also, I have not yet tried out the second iron I received in the $59.95 deal but if it works as well as the Wet or Dry styling iron, I definitely will be back soon to update you on it! 

Retail Price: $199.99

Retail Price: $299.99

Retail Price: $49.99

Here is a link to the website as well as the direct links to the products I purchased:

http://stylehousehair.com/

Professional Styling Iron
http://stylehousehair.com/product/professional-styling-iron-gold-leopard/

Wet or Dry Straightening Iron
http://stylehousehair.com/product/full-size/

Flat iron Accessory Kit
http://stylehousehair.com/product/162/

If you have tried out this product or brand feel free to share your experience in the comments below. If you have questions, feel free to contact me! Also, be sure to leave feedback and vote on what you would like for me to talk about on my blog. I'm still new to this and I would love for you guys to let me know how you think I'm doing!

Until next time,

- BigHairBrainiac

How To: Ace Your Job / Internship Interview

I recently had my first legitimate interview for my dream Pharmacy School at the University I am currently attending. I was super nervous and was lucky enough to have been exceptionally prepared from doing research on various blogs, YouTube videos, forums and of course, my school's website. I also was able to attend a mock interview session provided by the current students in the School of Pharmacy at my school. I am proud to say that I left my interview with confidence that I absolutely aced it! Of course I'm no pro at this, but after chatting with other students who are overwhelmed with how to prepare for their interviews, I have decided to dedicate this post to some tips I think are vital for being interview ready. So enough with the small talk...Let's get started!

TIP 1: Do your research

The first step in preparing for an interview is being prepared! It is extremely important to do your research on the job, school or company that you are seeking employment, acceptance or membership with. Trust me, interviewers can definitely tell when you haven't done your research.
One of the easiest ways to go about researching your potential position is by going to their website or googling them. Some important things to look for are: a description of the position you are seeking, their mission statement or goals, CEO's or presidents and community or business efforts the school (or company) is involved in. I highly suggest note-taking just for you to be able to reference back to if you can't remember everything. Overall, make sure you are quite knowledgeable about the company that will be interviewing you. You would be surprised to know how many people don't do their research prior to an interview.
Also, if you know who will be on the committee to evaluate you during your interview, it may also be helpful to do some research on the individuals who may be doing your interview.

TIP 2: Formulate questions from your research

During an interview it is vital for you to actively participate with a high level of interest. It is a good idea to take notes on your interview...not too many of course, but it is good to jot down anything your interviewer says that makes you think because you may forget once the interview is over. It is also very important to come with at least three questions to ask your interviewers. An unwritten interview rule is to never say "no" when an interviewer asks you if you have any questions. You will want to have questions that show your attention to detail and express your interest in the company or school. Ask questions with substance that require the interviewer to think on. For example, "what is one of your most rewarding moments since working with this company". This type of question is direct and allows you to get a feel for how the interviewer likes working for the company. This can in turn give you feedback on the company and insight on how your experience will be if you are selected.

TIP 3: Practice answering questions about yourself

The word "interview" can seem intimidating but essentially, an interview is just a conversation about YOU! So who is better to talk about you than you, right? That's exactly why interviews are used to select applicants. They just want to have a conversation with you to decide whether or not you are a good fit for their company. Usually, you are already qualified for the job since you received the interview. The interview can truly make or break your opportunity to be extended acceptance or membership. That's why is it vital for you to be well-prepared so you don't talk yourself out of the job or acceptance. It is also a good idea to look over your resume and make sure you are familiar with each of the listed experiences and skills you have. It is common for interviewers to pull questions based upon your past experiences or skills you have listed on your resume.

Some sites with good practice questions are:

1. http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/06/5-interview-questions-you-should-always-prepare-to-answer
2. https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-answer-the-31-most-common-interview-questions

TIP 4: How to dress

So now you're all set! You've perfected your resume, reviewed your notes and you're ready for your interview. The only thing left to decide is what you're going to wear.

Interview attire is one of the most controversial topics when it comes to preparing for an interview. While many people dress casually or casual professional, I think the best option for interview attire is basic business professional. For women that would include: nude or complexion matching pantyhose, dark suit (navy blue, dark grey or black) preferably black, plain white blouse (with no extra detailing like frill, lace or designs), and small to medium height black leather heels. It seems so plain but it can also be appealing if you dress it up the right way by adding statement jewelry pieces like a pearl strand necklace and pearl stud earrings or even small diamonds. Also light make-up finishes everything off perfectly. Here is a picture of me in my business professional:

I'm wearing a black skirt suit from New York and Company, Heels from Nine West, white collared shirt from New York and Company and pantyhose from Burlington Coat Factory (sorry, I can't recall the brand). Also, I have a black leather portfolio to hold extra copies of my resume and business cards. I have light make up and pearl jewelry accessories. In the photo on the left, I was on my way to a career fair and the photo on the right, I was going to usher at a University hosted event. In both instances, I felt appropriately dressed and felt that I was well put together. 

For guys, I would suggest a matching dark suit (navy blue or black) preferably black with a dark, solid colored tie. While a blazer and slacks is a very nice combination for a professional atmosphere, it is simply not cordial enough for an interview. I would also suggest dark solid colored shoes to coordinate with your suit and a matching belt. It would also be good to carry some sort of portfolio or briefcase to hold miscellaneous items you may need for your interview. It is very important that for men, the suit is well fitting and tailored properly. Here are some examples of business professional for men:

 Both of these photos are examples of well tailored and well fitting professional suits for men. As you can see, both men are wearing dark ties with plain white collared shirts and matching shoes.

Summing it all up

Overall, less is more when it comes to dressing for an interview...not literally of course, but the goal is to look polished without overdoing it. Makeup and accessories should be simple and understated yet contribute to the neat and groomed conservative look. Hair should be neat and simple for women and neatly trimmed for men.
The interview is about being prepared, knowledgeable and dressing for the job you want. The entire interview process can seem overbearing when you're micro-analyzing things that aren't important. It makes things much simpler when you make a plan for yourself and take things step-by-step. I had a great interview experience and if you follow or at least take into consideration the tips above I know your interview will be successful! If you have any questions, feel free to comment and ask away or send me a direct message for more tips and let me know how your interview experience goes!

Also, check back for more helpful tips, how to's and much more!

Until next time,

- BigHairBrainiac

Product Review: Organic Dandelion Root Tea by KissMe Organics

Disclosure: I received this product through KissMe Organics to test and review.

This week I had the opportunity to review a product by KissMe Organics through Tomoson. The product was an Organic Dandelion Root Tea with Hibiscus and Cinnamon. I received the package through Amazon Prime so the shipping was free and the package arrived in two days. Since I am a college student, I ordered this product on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 and had it sent to my home in North Carolina since I would be traveling home on the date of arrival. The box was in great condition once it arrived and the package included five boxes (5) twenty count (20) tea bags.
My Experience:

Day 1: When I first opened the box of tea, I was delighted to find twenty individually packaged tea bags each in their own tiny envelopes with the company's logo on them. The tea bags had a wonderful smell...a hybrid of cinnamon and a nature-y smell (yes, I know nature-y isn't a word but it seemed fitting). I prepared a cup of the tea by filling a coffee mug with a cup of water and placing it in the microwave for about 2 minutes (until it was nearly boiling). Next, I placed the tea bag in my hot cup of water and began to strain it. I also let the tea bag sit in the mug for about ten additional minutes to extract all the flavors from the tea. I added Stevia natural sweetener to taste (about 3 packs) and about a teaspoon of honey.

The tea had a very light taste and an extremely fragrant scent. After finishing my cup of the tea I could immediately tell a reaction in my body. The tea advertised to aid in digestion and kidney health as well as boosting metabolism. I'm not sure about the kidney and metabolism benefits but I did notice that I was not as inclined to "pig out" on meals for the rest of the day and I felt that with continued use, this tea could potentially improve my overall health in terms of digestion and metabolism. 

Day 2: My second experience with the tea was quite similar to my first. The day after my initial testing of the tea, I had to run some early morning errands. I didn't have time to pick up any breakfast on my way out...not good, I know, but I did decide to go ahead and prepare myself a cup of tea to wake me up. I prepared the tea the same way but I used Splenda instead of Stevia. The tea kept me full until lunch and even then I was not as inclined to eat a huge meal. 

Overall, I definitely think I will begin to incorporate this product into my diet and hopefully I will continue to experience great results! I absolutely think this is a product worth trying if you're looking to boost your metabolism or detoxify your body.

You can purchase this product through Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NFYLN18/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1425936603&sr=1&keywords=organic+dandelion+root+tea or directly through the company KissMe Organics on their site http://kissmeorganics.com/ 

Hello there!

Well, I'm new to the whole blogging scene... so this is my first post!
Hello world! I'm Alysa, a twenty year-old college sophomore majoring in Pre-Pharmacy. I'm a beginner to blogging but I do have a passion for writing, so I figured I'd give it a shot. As are most college students, I have a retail mindset and frugal parents so I'm using my twentieth wonderful year of life to explore ways to hustle and practice budgeting my money. My blog will mostly consist of my efforts towards beginning my money-saving journey as well as a few health and beauty tips here and there. Since I am the BigHairBrainiac and a new member of the Natural Hair family, I will also be keeping you guys updated with my natural hair journey and maybe even some college tips....maybe. I am super excited to share insight on my interesting and stressful life and I would love for you all to provide me with feedback to let me know how I'm doing. We're in this together, right? Of course we are!

Until next time,

- BigHairBrainiac