Transcript of this video

My name is Sureena and I create videos on my YouTube channel called Sureena Speaks. The videos support MPharm students, trainee pharmacists and established pharmacists, and anyone really who’s interested in knowing more about medicines, plus some sprinkle of motivation along the way.

Later this year will mark five years since embarking on this journey and I do often get asked why I take time out to make these videos and why did I start this channel? I guess it stems from my own trainee experience, the word I use to describe the year is, well, overwhelming. Trying to balance work life, social life and fit revision in between that time, it just felt really overwhelming. And at the time I didn’t feel like there were many accessible resources available. I wanted to create something in a format and a way in which I feel I would have benefited from, in the hope that it will benefit others.

Over time, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of trainee pharmacists’ journeys, engaging with them from when they embark on their pre-reg year, or now as it will be known foundation training year, and seeing them through to becoming newly qualified pharmacists. And even at times time consoling those who may not have been successful in the assessment and trying to motivate them. I genuinely want to see people flourish and I believe if you put positivity out into the world, hopefully it will start a domino effect of positivity so it flourishes from all angles.

I never take for granted when someone sends me a kind message. The fact that someone would even think ‘Oh, I want to thank Sureena for making that video’ but then actually takes time out of their day to do so means so much. That act of kindness and that act of giving,  means everything to me. I screenshot positive messages and keep them in a folder to reflect on because it really does feel like a gift. It motivates me to continue making content.

For me personally, I found the first lockdown the most challenging. In all honesty, I was not motivated to make any videos because I just wasn’t in the head space to do so. What took me out of that headspace was those kind messages. It was what others gave to me that I wanted to reciprocate. I have been in contact with some truly amazing people and hearing the stories that some trainee pharmacists have had to go through to get to the position that they’re currently in really grounds me.

Within the small world of pharmacy, giving is so important. By supporting or advising a pharmacy colleague or patient, you could really spark something in them to pass on that act of giving. That act of giving helps the recipient but it also helps your own wellbeing and centres you. So, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this. A question I want to leave you with is this: what can you give today that will benefit someone else tomorrow?