I've recently finished up my third year of undergrad. One more year and I'll graduate and be able to call myself a chemist and, oh boy, I've learned a ton on my way here.
1. You know the science centre better than your dorm.
I think it's a college rule that the science centre has to be confusing. However, you know the building better than your own bed. You know the best place for a group to meet, you know where to study by yourself. You even know the code to get into most of the labs.
2. You can explain distillation to people; even when tipsy.
This one is more of a memory. One night while drinking with friends, they asked what the "double distilled" on the alcohol bottle meant. So I (a few drinks in) grab and napkin and pen and draw a distillation apparatus and explain it to them to the point that they understood.
3. The ACS exams were written by the devil.
Why would someone want you to fail? For the gaussian curve? Oh now you understand. That doesn't make it any better though. You still have to study everything and probably leave the test crying. No, not probably, definitely.
4. You survived classes like Quantum Chemistry.
Did you learn tons of stuff? Sure thing. Were tears shed? Of course. Did you survive? Proudly. Special shout out to our professors that held out hands through "solving hydrogen" and many more other things that still kinda blow your mind.
5. Chemistry jokes are funny.
Nerds unite! That joke your professor told was actually funny. That joke on the internet was funny. But it's almost impossible for you to explain the joke to friends. What happened to you? Chemistry. Chemistry happened.
6. "You must be so smart!"
Says everyone. "Uh... I guess?" Like I know how to study and take tests and do math and stuff. Is that smart? What is smart? But you just smile and nod and hope they don't go on.
7. You can pronounce hard words like "phenolphthalein."
Honestly chemistry and science in general is just another language. You learn the speech patterns and new root words and all that jazz. Then you go in the lab and still feel stupid.
8. People are low-key afraid of you.
You know about bombs and how to melt things... including bodies. People are kinda afraid that you'll kill them. But no worries, we won't. We have other outlets for our anger.
Yes, chemistry is definitely one of the more difficult majors, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love being a nerd and learning more about everything. No matter if we're kinda weird sometimes.
