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

1561
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.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

4847
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119174
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1126
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

809
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

878
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments