When I tell people I'm a Pre-Health student, I get an array of comments from "Wow you're going to be in school FOREVER," to "Good luck, you'll probably end up dropping it." Sometimes I wonder why I submit myself to this torture, and if it's really worth it or not. From medical to dentistry to veterinary and everything in between, there are certain struggles that all Pre-Health students face during their time as an undergrad.
1. Being mocked as a freshman
I'm not sure I could tell you how many times I told people as a freshman that I planned on going to Dental School just to have them tell me that by my sophomore year I'll reconsider and choose something easier because I don't know what I'm in for. Well, I'm still here! Go me?
2. Taking classes irrelevant to your major to fulfill pre-requisites for Professional School
Do I really have to take two semesters of basic English courses on top of my 54534 science classes and a million labs?! I'm not illiterate, I promise.
3. 8am science classes
I can't even will myself to put on matching clothes this early, but I'm expected to learn Organic Chemistry at this godforsaken hour...
4. All of your exams scheduled in the same week
Might as well just bring my bed to the library and sleep there, because there's no chance I'll be able to leave!
5. Disgustingly large textbooks
I guess it's fine that I don't have time to workout because I'm always carrying several six-pound textbooks, and that's the same thing right?
6. Stressing about the MCAT (or equivalent), always
It may be two years away, but I'll still cry once a week about it.
7. Never having an "easy day"
Some of my friends talk about having two classes a day and none on Fridays, and meanwhile I'm trying to find time to shovel food in my face between my five classes a day.
8. Not having a real job until you're 30
Finishing undergrad is an accomplishing feeling, but then you have four years of Professional School, an internship, a residency and fellowship.... and finally when you're 30 you can do what you started school for 13 years ago.
Being a Pre-Health student
Why did I do this to myself again?
To all you Pre-Health students out there: It probably won't get easier, but push through anyways because we're all struggling together. And hopefully one day, we'll love what we do.
