It's a college experience filled with tears, long nights, theories, formulas and Latin names. The pressure to perform at high levels of excellence are overwhelming and discouraging. But we are all in it for the outcome which, hopefully, is worth it all.
1. Buying textbooks is disheartening.
Thank God for student loans and our parents, because science textbooks is a bank-breaking task. Not to mention the thickness of each one of them. Carrying them around for too long will cause serious back injury.
2. "You don't need the book" is a lie.
So, maybe your professor prefers to teach by PowerPoint or lecture and never mentions the book. But your professor is either foreign or the words coming from their mouths are. The textbook is a necessity to deciphering the material. A must have, no matter what the syllabus says.
3. Incomprehensible foreign professors are far too common.
You're bound to encounter a wildly diverse group of professors. For some reason, a grasp on science doesn't run in American blood.
4. Syllabus week?
Returning to school can be a drag, but at least we can find comfort in the fact that the first week is a breeze. Well, unless you're a science major. Right off the bat, Avogadro's number is being shoved down your throat.
5. We geek out over useless fun facts.
Most of the information you learn in class is only useful for tests. But every once in a while your teachers surprises you with a fun fact like that human saliva contains a natural painkiller stronger than morphine or that banana slugs can mate with themselves.
6. Twenty-four hours in a day is not enough.
When I plan my day out, I never take into account that there are only 24 hours for me to get everything done. But science majors are the best multi-taskers. You can find us in the kitchen whipping up some ramen while we study a bio book on the counter. Time is too precious to waste.
7. Negative comments are annoying and unappreciated.
About once a week, I hear things like "Well, good luck with that" or "You should go into a different career, you'll never make it." If I wasn't dedicated and amused by science, I wouldn't torture myself like I do. Yes, I know it's gonna be tough. Yes, I know the odds are not in my favor. But at the moment, I'm in school for science because that's what I want to do and that's what I'm going to do. Get on with your demeaning comments.
8. All-nighters last all semester.
Aside from the other classes you're taking, studying for anatomy and chemistry takes up every bit of your study time. Buying a coffee maker is the best decision you'll make in college.
9. It's all one big competition.
Everyone in your classes is competing against you for a spot in medical school, the nursing program or grad school. It's a cut-throat contest to see who will fail out first.
10. Lab sucks during hot weather seasons.
In the winter, wearing close-toed shoes and long pants is natural. But when the sun starts to break through and the temperature reaches the mid-80's, the last thing you want to do is put on a pair of jeans and boots.
11. You question your sanity and life choices daily.
Is it all worth it? I mean, burger flipping can't be that bad. The stress and anxiety and sacrifices we make in order to reach the goal are exhausting. At 2 a.m. in the library, I find myself wanting to give in and try something easier. But somehow, I pull myself together and decide that it will all pay off one day.
