Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Megan Coleman has been announced as the Alphapharm 2012 NSW Pharmacy Student of the Year at a recent function in Sydney.

 

The Bachelor of Pharmacy student from Wagga Wagga was thrilled to receive the award.

 

“Receiving this recognition certainly is a rewarding experience after studying for so long,” Ms Coleman said. “The whole process was invaluable to my learning.”

 

“I applied for the award not really knowing what I was getting myself into,” she said. “The judging process involved a few selection rounds that focused on communication and counselling, which is what the Bachelor of Pharmacy course is orientated around. In the final round, I had to get up on stage in front of 100 participants and one person from the audience became my patient. I had to counsel them and offer advice. It was a really good experience.”

 

Ms Coleman, 22, attributes her success to the support she received from family and her lecturers.

 

“The winner was announced at a cocktail party in Sydney,” she said. “My family wasn’t able to make it but I had a friend fly down to be with me and my lecturers were there to cheer me on. My lecturers Mr George Johns, Mr Carl Cooper, Ms Hana Morrissey and Professor Patrick Ball have helped me get through the last four years and were a big influence on my success in the competition.”

 

With boosted enthusiasm for her studies due to her win, Ms Coleman believes her passion for Pharmacy has given her the determination to succeed in the course.