getting through those really hard classes and staying alive

[ducam]

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Hey. I'm going to be starting college soon (i'm a hs senior) and have been some what "forced" into being a biochemistry major and I was just curious about how to deal with classes that you suck so bad at but still have to take (for me calc). Do you just suck it up and live in the book for the semester or do you bribe the prof. javascript:smilie('😉') I'm just looking for a little help since I can face any chem, bio, or any class but calc and am starting to shake a little.

 

[Brewster]

Just put in the time and seek help (from upperclassmen or professors) with concepts you need help with. You'll be fine.

Why are you "forced" into a biochem major? You haven't even started college yet...

 

[vixenell]

Same question... why are you being "forced" to major in anything? You should major in something you're truly interested in, otherwise college will be hell for you.

Don't bother majoring in biochem if you're that worried about it... you can get your premed reqs, plus a few elective bio/chem classes to prepare yourself for med school, in addition to whatever you want to major in. You have at least 2 years do decide on what you want to do, thats what gen eds were created for.

 

[ducam]

I am going to be going to seattle pacific university which has a high med. school acceptance. Well my parents will only help pay for school if i major in biochem or bio because they feel that business is the only real major and that you need to do a science major to go to med school (which i explained to them that I don't). so it's either major in biochem or go to a lesser state school and major in business.

so while i don't have to declare until later in college my parents are going to be following my class i take or I don't get any help from them to pay for school. It's not that I wouldn't want to major in it, it's just I do like other things and wouldn't mind doing a non-sci major and taking prereqs. either.

 

[carrigallen]

Originally posted by ducam
I am going to be going to seattle pacific university which has a high med. school acceptance. Well my parents will only help pay for school if i major in biochem or bio because they feel that business is the only real major and that you need to do a science major to go to med school (which i explained to them that I don't). so it's either major in biochem or go to a lesser state school and major in business.

I think there are actually other science majors which provide good preparation for med school, besides biochemistry. For example, I think most biology degrees will help you prepare for the MCAT, and the medical school curriculum.

I think it is good for you to decide their own major, not your parents. 😱 I've heard Seattle Pacific is a good university...I don't think you need to declare your major immediately, maybe I'm wrong though.

 

[vixenell]

They feel that business is the only real major? As in, its the only major that you can enter a career with straight after undergrad? I'm confused. Do you want business, or medicine?

Biochem is not the funnest major to be "forced" into. I'm one of 5 B&MB majors at my school, and it isn't for everyone. Granted, you'll take these courses in med school (if thats what you want to do), but its not the best way to spend 4 years if you dont enjoy it. You have to really, really like it.

It doesn't sound like you're too crazy about med school. Do you really, I mean really, want to go into medicine, or do your parents have an influence on this decision? Its one thing to do what your parents want for high school, or even college (though thats a stretch), but this is the rest of your life. And if they're going to cut off the financial umbilical cord, so be it. It'll happen eventually, anyway.

Like i said before, do what you want, your parents have already been through school, its your turn. I'm sure that plenty of state college students get into medical school also. It about you, not your school. And who knows, in two or three years, you might decide that you want to become a lawyer, teacher, poet, CEO, or whatever. What happens if you discover that you absolutely hate biochemistry, and would rather die than regurgitate another organic formula? What good will the Biochem degree do then?

So yeah, to answer your original question, in my opinion, college calculus is easier than high school calculus.. or even precalculus. If you're that worried about it, retake precalculus before you take calc. Also, get to know your professor on a one-to-one basis (no bribing), so that when you're having trouble, you can ask him/her about it then and there. That'd also pave the way for a future LOR. Same goes for all professors. Even if you're breezing through organic chem (which won't happen), ask for help. Clarify. Ask questions. In college, there are (almost) no dumb questions. And teachers will respect you more for having the guts.

 

[oldladypremed]

Hi Ducam,

I'm reading your post and feeling a lot of compassion for you. I don't mean to offend you or jump to any conclusions but I have to say that I think your parents are nuts, or at least making an enormous mistake.

I'm 35 years old and have worked in several different jobs and now have two young children and what I learned is that the name of the college you attend is really, ultimately irrelavent. People accomplish their dreams from all kinds of schools and in all kinds of ways. However, as someone else here said, if you try to major in something you dislike, college will be utter hell. And four years of hell are not likely to prepare you well for medical school or anything else.

If you were free to make your own choice, what would you major in? Is it your dream to become a doctor or your parents? I know medical students who were English and history majors. I also know medical students from state schools.

My advice is to think about what YOU really want and then brainstorm some ways to make it happen. Come back here and post your true dreams and let us help you.

OK, enough lecturing. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Oldlady

 

[vixenell]

oldlady, we're on the same wavelength here...

OP, are your parents doctors by any chance?

 

[md_student10021]

being forced into anything is very very foolish.

the biochem major will include p-chem, physical biochem, perhaps some others. these include annoying calc which isn't for everyone.

as far as calc I/II, these are very very easy courses. it's best to learn this in high school, though, since the teaching there will be better. can you take the AP, or is it too late for all that??

watch out for the calc TA's in college. most are awful, and few speak english.

 

[Jalby]

So I might be a semidissenting voice here. I think you should take the biochem classes. Here is my thinking:

Med school is hard. I know of a few (2) people who took the absolutely easiest classes and few units in college in order to get a good GPA and get into medical school. Then once they got here, they were wholly unprepared for how hard it is and they had MAJOR problems. One of them is going to repeat the year (If not drop out) and the other is just figuring out how to handle school.

 

[vixenell]

Its one thing to take biochem classes. Its another to major in it.

Regardless of their major, there's always going to be someone who has trouble adjusting to med school. While majoring in biochem might make certain classes a tad easier to pass, i'd imagine that its still no walk on the beach.

I don't think any of us were encouraging the OP to take the easiest courses. It sounds like he can handle a biochem major just fine. However, it obviously isn't something he's crazy about, or else he wouldn't have brought up the "forcing" element.

 

[Doc Ivy]

Here's my advice, don't be a biochem major if your heart's not in it... here's why:
you will not be motivated enough to do what it takes to get top grades, and you will most likely do too poorly to even consider applying to medical school ever!!!
(I say this not because Biochem is inherently more challenging than say philosophy---I don't think that's neccesarily the case-- but because if it ain't for you, it ain't for you)
... worse off, you may resent your parents for a very long time

I don't care what school you go to, if you bomb all your classes, admissions committees aren't going to care that you flunked outta Harvard

The reason why English majors, history majors, hell even astrobiophysics majors get into med school is because they are doing what they love and as a result have excelled in it--- bottom line is: DO WHAT YOU LOVE-- that way you will enjoy your college experience, and have the energy to pursue those extracurricular endeavors that med schools love so much!🙂

 

[ducam]

Believe me, I want to go to medical school. I want to be a doctor. It's just I like a lot of different things (i'm the guy who will have Newsweek, US News, Sci Am, and Discover all in one pile of magazines) I know I don't have to delcare a major until late in college but I do have to take classes and right now my parents are coercing me to take the ones that have to do with biology, chemistry, physics, and of course calculus.

I am not saying I don't like any of that stuff, I love it. I've taken more science classes then I can count. I've taken the AP classes and dominated the tests. It is just my parents won't help pay for school unless I am going to major in biology or biochemistry which is kind of crappy because of my limited ability to do anything else should I decide in the furture I would rather be a lawyer or something else.

I want to go to SPU because it is a great school and I know I wouldn't be happy at the state school because it's not who I am.

Anyway, I took AP clac and lets just say I have never done that bad in a class from kindergarden to now and that's where my worry stems from. If I didn't do so great in a high school calc class then how am I going to get past college calculus. Any techniques or books or advice or help is appreciated and well needed. There is just something about calculus that short-circuts my brain.

And oldladypredmed, yes my parents ARE nuts.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Originally posted by ducam
Anyway, I took AP clac and lets just say I have never done that bad in a class from kindergarden to now and that's where my worry stems from. If I didn't do so great in a high school calc class then how am I going to get past college calculus. Any techniques or books or advice or help is appreciated and well needed. There is just something about calculus that short-circuts my brain.

And oldladypredmed, yes my parents ARE nuts.

If you have to take calculus as part of your major, I would recommend taking first semester calc no matter how well you do on the AP exam and if you are able to place out of it. I did horribly in AP calc (only class in hs i did poorly in), but somehow managed a 3 on the AP exam. I could have placed out of first semester calc, but I retook it. I'm so glad I did...knowing where everything was headed, and how it built up, made both first and second semesters of calc better for me in college. Hell, I even enjoyed the classes in college...and I had always hated math!

So that's my recommendation. Don't try to place out of calc...start from the bottom and work your way up. It's not as bad as you think. 🙂

 

[stillpremed]

i second sweet tea's response. i got a 3 on the ap test, but decided to take the entire calc sequence again. it worked out all right - just make sure you dont slack off because you "know" the stuff already. i think the thing that helped me the most was to make sure I was able to do every homework that they assigned. not necessarily do... but know how to do ALL of it. i would spend my days in the math study center. it seems like most teachers base their tests quizzes off hw problems for the intro classes.

 

[stillpremed]

oh yeah and your parents kinda sound like my parents...i dont want to offend you or anything, but im sorry if i do come off so, but are they asian? my parents used to force me to do things, until they talked to some med students, doctors about majors and business like that. they are not too controlling anymore. if they were to talk to people with "high authority" people, maybe that could change your mind, unless of course they are one of those people.
like what others said, do what you love!

 

[Asclepius]

The idea that you might need a science major to get into med. school is simply wrong... For example, take a look at this website - it's from AAMC:
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/char99.pdf

Page 16ff. show that MCAT scores are fairly equal despite majors. If anything, Humanities majors perform best...with highest scores in the verbal and writing sections (for what it's worth 😉 ), and they even do slightly better in Biological sciences than people who majored in that area! (Physical scientists do quite well too). I saw a list published in 1999 that had math majors as the high-scorers on the MCAT, followed closely by Philosophy majors. So, Doc Ivy, I'd challenge your statement that philosophy is less difficult than Biochemistry. I got a B.A. in the former and am earning a master's in the latter and found upper-level philosophy a good deal more difficult.

Many medical schools really appreciate a student body with diverse academic backgrounds. Take the science classes you need to feel prepared and study the subject that inspires you! If I were in your situation (I don't know your parent's response) I would show your parents some med. school admissions dept. web sites, that they say - almost always - something to this effect.

Good luck

 

[vixenell]

I agree with Sweet Tea in that college calculus isn't nearly as bad as AP calculus. If you have a good teacher, it should be a breeze. My teacher was excellent, and everyone in the class understood the concepts and ended up with As and Bs (and our class included some professors who never "got" calculus in college).

Also, you can take all of those classes that your parents want you to take (you'd end up taking them anyway since they're pre-med reqs) and still major in something else. But classes like P-chem are universally hellish, and at many schools considered cruel and unusual punishment for anyone soley interested in going to med school. Now if you're interested in a career in clinical research, or MD/PhD, that'd be a different story entirely. In that case, majoring in biochem would be a big help, but it is STILL (with emphasis) not mandatory. But if you're aiming for a purely clinical setting, your patients will benefit if you're well-rounded.

College is four years. Remember that. And like someone else said, you only get one chance (well, technically, no, but still. Stay with me). You've spent the past four years doing what you had to do to get out, now do something you love.

Seriously talk to your parents. Geez, even have them email me, or all of us, and we'll tell them that a biochem/bio major isn't necessary. GO to mdapplicants.com (i think they have a major search feature (could be wrong). Send them a link. Don't waste the next four years.

 

[An Yong]

Everyone is giving such good advice to the OP! I would seriously listen to these wise folks! I can tell you personally that majoring in something that is difficult and you do not like is a horrible mistake. My parents + aunts + uncles constantly pestered me to major in computer science, telling me that if I don't get into medical school that atleast I'll have a degree in which I can find a job. Mistake!!! I've had to go through 3 years of a major that I do not like. Furthermore, I have to go an extra year because computer science does not correlate very well with the pre-med requisites. So basically, my college years have been stuck in a difficult major that forces me to study every waking momment to keep a good GPA. In the end, I really think this is going to hurt me because I have very few ec's (because I really am studying ALL the time, sigh no social life whatsoever).

Make a wise decision, and please don't fall into the same trap I did =)

- L8er