2. You HATE Chemistry | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Telltale Signs That Pre-Med Is Not For You

Here is how I figured out I was in the wrong major.

1544
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/120586/med-team-trains-with-chilean-air-force-medics/
The U.S. Air Force

I was set on a career in medicine since I was a junior in high school. I took this incredible vocational pre-med course with an immensely passionate teacher and I thought I had found my calling. However, the college was a wakeup call from my high school curriculum. These are the red flags that made me change my major as a sophomore in college from Health Science Pre-Med to a double major in Brain and Behavioral Sciences and Communication.

1. You excelled in high school A&P but now college-level A&P is draining your body and soul

Flickr

Look. I was top of my class in Anatomy and Physiology. I loved it- ate it up. At the end of the semester, we dissected a cat (NOTHING will EVER erase the memory of that smell) and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. My favorite body system was the nervous system and I was dead-set on going into neurology once I got into med school. Now fast-forward to college anatomy. Guess what? It's fast-paced, and it's a hell of a lot more physiology than anatomy. Hope you like cellular processes. You are expected to know the nitty-gritty of every system of the body. This class is also incredibly demanding; 1-2 hours of studying A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. I. AM. NOT. JOKING. Of course, this is if you are shooting to get an A in the course, which is an expectation of medical school I might add.

2. You HATE Chemistry

Pixabay

I will say this is not quite the end-all; I know a lot of pre-meds that prefer biology to anatomy. However, if you are like me, and Gen Chem is just the worst part of your week every week and you struggle with it, aside from disliking it, I will tell you right now Orgo is not going to save you. Don't even get me STARTED on Biochem...

3. You're more passionate about your extracurriculars than your major (and they don't really correlate...)

Pexels

My big wakeup call came from my parents and my sister, who I call weekly. In the spring of my freshman year, I got involved with the orientation program, Boiler Gold Rush. I continued and expanded my involvement in my sophomore year and it's taken up a great deal of my free time. I love it and I am super passionate about it so I would talk to my sister and parents about it. At some point this semester, they commented that I talk about this program a lot but I never talk about my major anymore... Student Orientation and a career as a Physician really don't have anything to do with each other. This is big. Pay attention to the things you are passionate about and like to talk about!

4. It doesn't sound "fun"

Pexels

This may be the most important point I make. Whenever I thought about medicine, I wanted to do it because it seemed like the right thing to do, I was pretty interested in it, there was a demand, and it was a respectable career that my parents and family would be proud of. If you notice, nowhere in there did I say it would be FUN (what???). Pursue a career in something that makes you wake up every day and say, "Wow, people want to pay me to do this?! How lucky am I?!" If you can't say this, you will never be satisfied, no matter how much money you make.

5. You're in it for the money/prestige/white coat/whatever

Pexels

This goes back to my last point. If you just want to be a doctor to say you're a doctor so you can flex on everyone, don't.

6. You just want to be a hero

Pexels

I love altruism as much as the next person but you can't save everyone. And there are plenty of other ways you can help people and make the world a better place, you don't have to be a doctor to make an impact.

7. You don't like the idea of 10+ more years of school

Pexels

Pretty self explanatory. It doesn't get any easier.

8. You are skipping your major classes and your grades are suffering

Pexels

You hate to admit it but getting to your 12:30 Health Science lecture is becoming a chore so sometimes you just.... don't go. Bad sign. Go to class! But also, pay attention to the classes you are excited to attend. For me, it was my sociology class; attendance wasn't even mandatory, I just really liked the class.

9. Your plan of study makes you want to cry

Pexels

Biochemistry ???? Yeah, enough said. Rethink this one.

10. You have learned about another career path that makes you excited about school again

Pexels

What?? It's a major that you *gasp* enjoy?! Do you like the plan of study?? You are now daydreaming about future-you doing cool stuff that is fun and yeah, maybe it's not Dr. You in a white coat calling the shots, but you seem happy?? Chase it. Pursue it with everything you've got.

As a second semester sophomore, I have found what I think to be is my true career path. It is something that is going to be satisfying, worth the education, and most importantly, I will be happy.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

443406
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16821
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41727
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21347
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321774
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments