I withdrew from a class as a pre-med student, and it actually didn't kill me like I thought it would | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

I withdrew from a class as a pre-med student, and it actually didn't kill me like I thought it would

For once, I realized my grades do not define who I am as a person

213
I withdrew from a class as a pre-med student, and it actually didn't kill me like I thought it would

Everyone knows that being a pre-med student creates a stressful and sometimes toxic environment in college. Every pre-med student seems to be competing against each other, trying to get the best grades, racking up clinical experience and shadowing hours, volunteering during every free minute they could possibly get. If a pre-med student is not studying, they are doing something else to boost themselves above their competition.

One of my biggest flaws, yet I take pride in it, is that my grades define who I am. If I don't get an A on an exam, I am crushed. Am I worthy of making it into medical school and becoming a doctor? Am I worthy enough to even call myself a pre-med student? On the other hand, if I do get an A on an exam, I experience imposter syndrome.

Over time though, this mindset has slightly changed. I am starting to accept that I am human. I am going to make mistakes, I am going to find certain classes difficult, I am going to want to hang out with friends instead of studying. However, I never expected I was going to need to withdraw from a class in my entire lifetime.

When I first came to the realization that there was a high possibility that I will need to withdraw from physics, I was in denial. I swore to myself I would not do that. I began attending every single office hours my professor held and was annoying all the tutors with my questions for the next two weeks. Doing this though, I started to slack in my other classes. Did I want to get mediocre grades in ALL of my classes, or do I want to do great in the classes I was already doing great in?

I started to read up on pre-med forums and looking into other pre-med students' experiences when it came to withdrawing from a class. In the end, I learned that withdrawing will result in a BIG W on my transcript, but it won't result in killing my GPA like getting a C or failing the class would. I decided to take the hit and withdrew from my physics class because I realized my GPA was more important than what my peers thought of me. That was it. I did not want to withdraw because I did not want the other pre-med students to think I was not worthy of becoming a doctor just because I struggled in a physics class.

The opposite happened though. I immediately felt relieved since I could finally focus on my other classes and still do very well in them. I no longer had physics holding me back. My pre-med friends automatically saw how happier I was too.

With situations that seem to hold you back, there is always a light. Withdrawing from physics made me realize I could potentially graduate early, and have a full 5 to 6 months of studying for the MCAT, or I can finally pick up a second job and save up for the medical school application cycles as it is costly.

In the end, while I still wish I was in physics, passing the class with an A, that is not the case. I have learned that my mental wellbeing and performance in other areas should not have to lack because of one single class.

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

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

2319
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments