Imparting Wisdom Unto Youngsters (Day 9)

Schedule

8:00-9:15 Motivation lecture

11:00-12:15 Psychopharmacology lecture

2:00-3:15 Cognitive neuroscience lecture

3:30-5:30 Work

6:30-7:00 Club executive meeting (leadership team only)

7:00-8:00 Club meeting (all members)

After my club meeting, I was listening to other members reflect on past classes. A nervous second year was taking it all in, and his confidence dwindling with every word.

When we all parted, I headed towards my car. "Second Year" was heading that way as well, so we started talking. Disapproving of the scare tactics of others, I decided that "Second Year" could use a little bit of a motivational speech, so I imparted some of my wisdom.

1. Avoid the following attitude "I HAVE TO GET A's for the rest of my undergraduate career or else I have no chance of getting into medical school." It will hinder (steric hindrance? -- shut up, o-chem!) the process, and more importantly, it is not true. Everyone makes mistakes. If you are determined enough, you will get where you want to go. There are many options.

2. Understand the system. Talk to advisors and read the fine print. You do not have to take organic chemistry, physics, and biology in the same year. Yes, most people do, but if you can move things around to make it easier on yourself, do it! This is not high school; you have much greater freedom in regard to choosing your schedule.

3. Beware of pre-med advisors. Yes, they know a considerable amount about the process. Utilize them, but do not take everything they say to heart. Remember that they see every first-year, bright-eyed biology major with an over abundance of optimism. It is their job to inform all of us about the obstacles, competition, statistics, and other scary things. Do not get discouraged! My brother's advisor told him to give up at one point,and he is in his first year of medical school. BOOYAH.

4. Stop stressing. Enjoy your years as an undergraduate. Even if you take a little more than six years to get though the program, time flies. Before you know it, you will be in your last quarter.