I know what you're thinking:
"Here is just another article on why science is the best and everything else sucks."
No that is not true. Every major is hard. Every major has its challenges. STEM majors choose their life fate of being bogged down in anything and everything that could possibly relate to anything science. Here are some common thoughts I am sure majority of STEM majors have had:
"These classes are so general. I just want to learn stuff relevant to me."
You speak too soon. Wait until those Level 300 sciences when you just feel like crying because the material is so specific whereas in the first science course you take in college is a general education course, where you may learn the biomes one week, and how to make a Punnett square the next. Suffer through those boring, general classes to get to the more interesting ones you actually care to learn about.
"Non-STEM majors just don't understand my work load."
This is very true. Non-STEM majors typically do not have lectures for every class plus an extra 10 hours of lab a week that is like a whole other class. Chemistry is the worst because not only do you have lecture, but you also have a 3 hour lab generally, and a discussion to attend as well.
"What did I just learn?"
Often times sitting in an hour long lecture, attentions can drift, and material can go in one ear and out the other. When you have 3 science lectures daily on top of lab, it's so important to stay on top of the information but even harder to get a good grasp on it before new material is being thrown at you.
"Maybe I won't need to know this..."
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Being a STEM major, you need to be able to recall anything and everything you have ever learned in previous, lower level classes because everything builds off of itself. It can get even more exhausting when subjects cross paths with each other but then again, it is nice then seeing the same material in two places and is easier to (re) learn the material.
"I'm definitely dropping out."
STEM majors throw major curve balls at you often. Lab and lecture may be covering the same topic but completely different material. You may think you have grasped a concept but have it all entirely wrong. At this point in the thought process, you are considering any other major than a STEM or just being done. You gave college a try, and it just was not for you.
The world needs people for STEM jobs, and only certain people are meant for these specific jobs. At this point, if you are a STEM major, bless you soul. You are really one of a kind, but remember, so many people are in your shoes too so try to group together before you have your mental breakdowns and reevaluate your major and life 10 times this week.
