why isn’t it cool to be a nerd?

Get Your Med School Admissions Questions Answered!
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Q

qualityhealth

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2007
Messages
92
Reaction score
2
i mean really. I will be a rising junior in the fall, and in my two years at the university I have not met anyone (except this one girl) who is glad to be in school and actually like studying (ok besides the stressful part) and learning. said girl is constantly made fun of by her peers bc of her intense desire to learn. I mean I’m not saying that biology and chemistry tickle my fancy all day everyday, but why isn’t the typical college student as ecstatic to have the opportunity to go to college and learn anything and everything at their fingertips? I do have a life (play sports, join clubs, party and drink (once in a while)) but I read EVERY chance I get just for my own satisfaction, whether it be on the bus, or waiting for class to begin. I just really love reading. I haven’t met anyone like me..perhaps there’s premeds on SDN who share my viewpoint?

Why isn’t it “cool” or seen ‘normal’ on one’s part to actually LIKE reading and learning? What’s the purpose in life if there’s no passion to learn? Beats me.
Members don't see this ad.
 
qualityhealth said:
i mean really. I will be a rising junior in the fall, and in my two years at the university I have not met anyone (except this one girl) who is glad to be in school and actually like studying (ok besides the stressful part) and learning. said girl is constantly made fun of by her peers bc of her intense desire to learn. I mean I’m not saying that biology and chemistry tickle my fancy all day everyday, but why isn’t the typical college student as ecstatic to have the opportunity to go to college and learn anything and everything at their fingertips? I do have a life (play sports, join clubs, party and drink (once in a while)) but I read EVERY chance I get just for my own satisfaction, whether it be on the bus, or waiting for class to begin. I just really love reading. I haven’t met anyone like me..perhaps there’s premeds on SDN who share my viewpoint?

Why isn’t it “cool” or seen ‘normal’ on one’s part to actually LIKE reading and learning? What’s the purpose in life if there’s no passion to learn? Beats me.
Click to expand...

I like reading and learning! I'm proud to say I can be a nerd sometimes. 🙂
 
qualityhealth said:
Why isn’t it “cool” or seen ‘normal’ on one’s part to actually LIKE reading and learning? What’s the purpose in life if there’s no passion to learn? Beats me.
Click to expand...

Come to my university where everyone is a nerd. At USP we all are studying some form of science that can either be applied to healthcare or R&D. We're nerds and we know it. I'm the only one of my group of friends at home that analyzes why everything around him is working. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... sometimes sciences ruins everything.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
qualityhealth said:
i mean really. I will be a rising junior in the fall, and in my two years at the university I have not met anyone (except this one girl) who is glad to be in school and actually like studying (ok besides the stressful part) and learning. said girl is constantly made fun of by her peers bc of her intense desire to learn. I mean I’m not saying that biology and chemistry tickle my fancy all day everyday, but why isn’t the typical college student as ecstatic to have the opportunity to go to college and learn anything and everything at their fingertips? I do have a life (play sports, join clubs, party and drink (once in a while)) but I read EVERY chance I get just for my own satisfaction, whether it be on the bus, or waiting for class to begin. I just really love reading. I haven’t met anyone like me..perhaps there’s premeds on SDN who share my viewpoint?

Why isn’t it “cool” or seen ‘normal’ on one’s part to actually LIKE reading and learning? What’s the purpose in life if there’s no passion to learn? Beats me.
Click to expand...

.....and you wonder why you're not cool? 😕 😀

I'm kidding.
You can't change society... the majority wins and sadly the majority are idiots. The older you get and the higher you go in education the more you will see and meet people who want to "learn for the sake of learning"
I personally rather go out to a bar then read a book, but that doesn't mean that I don't like to learn either... just not quite at the level your at. 🙂
 
what are you talking about, nerds are always cool...that's why they made a shirt that says "i luv nerds"
 
qualityhealth said:
i mean really. I will be a rising junior in the fall, and in my two years at the university I have not met anyone (except this one girl) who is glad to be in school and actually like studying (ok besides the stressful part) and learning. said girl is constantly made fun of by her peers bc of her intense desire to learn. I mean I'm not saying that biology and chemistry tickle my fancy all day everyday, but why isn't the typical college student as ecstatic to have the opportunity to go to college and learn anything and everything at their fingertips? I do have a life (play sports, join clubs, party and drink (once in a while)) but I read EVERY chance I get just for my own satisfaction, whether it be on the bus, or waiting for class to begin. I just really love reading. I haven't met anyone like me..perhaps there's premeds on SDN who share my viewpoint?

Why isn't it "cool" or seen ‘normal' on one's part to actually LIKE reading and learning? What's the purpose in life if there's no passion to learn? Beats me.
Click to expand...

I don't think people think "nerd" is necessary uncool. Nerds (most of us pretty much have to be if we're signing up for this lifelong school called medicine) can still be cool. It is, however, uncool when a nerd lacks social skills or tends to only indulge in the learning of books/school instead of the experience of life. The latter might include the girl you are talking about who is ridiculed by her peers.
 
I think it is important to have a desire to learn new things in life. A lot of things can't be read in a book and need to be experienced first hand. In my opinion, college is about learning from books as well as experiencing many other things like meeting new people, dating, traveling, getting involved in activities you are passionate about, finding your place in life, and maybe just having fun.

I think that there is a good reason why "typical" college students aren't spending every chance they get to dive into a book...there are soooo many other fun things to do in college. I don't think that it is a lack of wanting to learn, rather they are just learning and experiencing a different part of life.

I understand your passion for learning, but by always having your head in a book, you could be missing out on some other fascinating things your college life has to offer.
 
There's being a nerd, and then there's acting like one.

If you try really hard just being in the first category and not the second, you can succeed in relationships.

AND... if you do it well, you can skip medicine, write a book, and make MILLIONS!!

j/k about the millions part, and skipping medicine, but do write the book. I need help! 😀
 
TheRealMD said:
There's being a nerd, and then there's acting like one.😀
Click to expand...
i agree, there's the cool type of nerd who may be a nerd but acts "normal" (ie fits in well w/society) and there's the obnoxious or weird freak (ie. a personality like The Office's dwight schrute) who morphs the term/categorization "nerd" into something negative/unfavorable.
 
lina123321 said:
i agree, there's the cool type of nerd who may be a nerd but acts "normal" (ie fits in well w/society) and there's the obnoxious or weird freak (ie. a personality like The Office's dwight schrute) who morphs the term/categorization "nerd" into something negative/unfavorable.
Click to expand...

FP8756~The-Office-Dwight-Posters.jpg
 
pagemmapants said:
Or just find a nerd who loves you back. 😀
Click to expand...
I find this suggestion deeply disturbing, considering that nerdism is autosomal recessive. Are you trying to encourage the increase in percentage of nerd population worldwide? How hugely irresponsible.
 
jochi1543 said:
I find this suggestion deeply disturbing, considering that nerdism is autosomal recessive. Are you trying to encourage the increase in percentage of nerd population worldwide? How hugely irresponsible.
Click to expand...

how fitting in a topic about nerds.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Green Pirate said:
how fitting in a topic about nerds.
Click to expand...
Are you in medical school? Because I don't care if you are, I'm a premed and I think you'll make a da,mn crappy doctor.

!!!!!!11!!!!!!ELEVEN!!!!!


*storms out*




*storms back in*


Battleship Galactica!!!!!!



*storms out*
 
that diatribe tells me you're going to make one hell of an attending some day 👍
 
again, what is it with the "rising" stuff?!

and nerds are WAY cool. I'm marrying one (so is she). 😍
 
Here I was thinking that nerds were cool... 😎

Who cares what others think? Besides everyone I've run into usually finds it fascinating that you are knowledgeable and have the discipline to study.
 
jochi1543 said:
Are you in medical school? Because I don't care if you are, I'm a premed and I think you'll make a da,mn crappy doctor.

!!!!!!11!!!!!!ELEVEN!!!!!


*storms out*




*storms back in*


Battleship Galactica!!!!!!



*storms out*
Click to expand...

I believe it's BATTLESTAR Galactica. 😛
 
I am a pre-med nerd/model and damn proud of it!
I love reading and learning new things and am fascinated by science and I dont care who thinks it "is" or "isn't" cool to enjoy learning. 😀
just my random 2am drunken input
 
Wow... This post really brought out all the NERDS!!!:welcome:

....I must admit that I am a bit of a Simpson's connoisseur. 🙂
 
I am a nerdy asian boy. hahahaha. so what? am I a Fob? HECK NO. but I don't care waht people think as long as adcoms don't care and I get into med school 😛
 
Mardi-Bob said:
Wow... This post really brought out all the NERDS!!!:welcome:

....I must admit that I am a bit of a Simpson's connoisseur. 🙂
Click to expand...

Simpson's: 👍 but in my opinion, Family Guy: 👍 👍 👍
 
a passion to read and a desire to learn is not nerdy by itself. nerds are typically anti-social computer geniuses (however this is only my subjective view of nerds.)
 
Glorified said:
a passion to read and a desire to learn is not nerdy by itself. nerds are typically anti-social computer geniuses (however this is only my subjective view of nerds.)
Click to expand...

that was kinda nerdy 😀
 
Glorified said:
a passion to read and a desire to learn is not nerdy by itself. nerds are typically anti-social computer geniuses (however this is only my subjective view of nerds.)
Click to expand...
Aren't those geeks?

And here we embark on my favorite debate.:hardy: Geek vs Nerd.
 
doinmybest5840 said:
Simpson's: 👍 but in my opinion, Family Guy: 👍 👍 👍
Click to expand...

nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! After that South Park episode I can't stand Family Guy... I think its more of a snob issue.. its comedy isn't sophisticated enough. I could.. and do continue to watch every simpsons episode (I got all current and past seasons on my computer) and still find new things to appreciate.

Family Guy... good for a cheap laugh every once in a while. 👎

Edit: No offense to you, but I just got to defend the Simpsons.
 
jochi1543 said:
You must be insane.👎

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5YhnaVdGio



:laugh:
Click to expand...

I'll give you that its a good gag humor skit....it just doesn't leave me with the same satisfaction as the Simpsons.

But... it looks like I'm outnumbered here, so I'll kindly stop with the Family Guy critique.

Plus, Dr. Nix >>>>>> then Family Guys doctor(insert name here) :laugh:

k stopping....... now.
 
The family guy doctor had that one exchange with peter and lois when he was examining peter and the doctor kept beating around the bush.

"Ok mr griffin, lets see your physical results...AHH!!

"There's a spider in the folder"

"my God, you'll expire in a month....this is your drivers license isn't it?"
 
Well..... my favorite "Family Guy" doctor moment is from the Mutant episode (old family guy) when Mayor West rolls around in the toxic sludge to try to get super powers like the Griffens.

"So, Doctor do I got Super Powers."

"No, you got Lymphoma" :laugh:
 
Mardi-Bob said:
Well..... my favorite "Family Guy" doctor moment is from the Mutant episode (old family guy) when Mayor West rolls around in the toxic sludge to try to get super powers like the Griffens.

"So, Doctor do I got Super Powers."

"No, you got Lymphoma" :laugh:
Click to expand...

"Hmm...due to effective treatment...Magic Johnson down to one AID." HAHAHA
 
Oh come on, didn't you watch those Revenge of the Nerds movies? :laugh: Nerds are totally cool according to those.

I think the final movie tried to make false identity rape cool though which negated their credibility about determining what's cool though (seriously, whose idea was that to put it in the plot that the girl falls in love with the guy, after he has sex with her while wearing a mask to pretend to be her boyfriend...wtf? If a girl did that I'd totally freak out that some psycho-chick just tricked me into having sex with her...but then again who the hell doesn't recognize their significant other's body anyway).
 
Maybe you just went to the wrong school. Obviously, going to a hard core science school will have a significantly higher number of people that are very excited about learning about science and doing typical "nerd" activities compared with your average state university. State schools and less academically focused schools tend to draw a more diverse group of students that are going to college for a variety of reasons. I'm not saying they aren't smart or there to learn, but that it may be ranked a bit lower on their list of priorities. That being said, even at typical "nerd" schools, you'll find that the students are interested in everything, not just limited to science or coursework but also every other thing you could imagine. They are however, more accepting to the "nerd" type activities and people who are excited about learning.

Note though, if you're a gunner and ONLY interested in learning from books and talking about coursework, you'll find yourself pretty alone anywhere aside from a few ivory tower syndrome departments because it gets old and you become pretty one-sided if that's ALL you ever talk about.
 
I don't know why it isn't cool. It always boggled my mind that the guy who gets drunk 8 nights a week, has a 1.1 GPA at the Community College in "psicheology", and does 3 kinds of drugs before noon is cooler than the guy who has a high GPA (I won't put a number so as not to offend anyone 😛 ), a well-paying job, and still knows how to have a fun time. This country is full of backwards *****s.

Btw, The Simpsons blows. Family Guy is good, but Futurama is the best show on television (and yes, AS counts as "on television").
 
qualityhealth said:
i mean really. I will be a rising junior in the fall, and in my two years at the university I have not met anyone (except this one girl) who is glad to be in school and actually like studying (ok besides the stressful part) and learning. said girl is constantly made fun of by her peers bc of her intense desire to learn. I mean I'm not saying that biology and chemistry tickle my fancy all day everyday, but why isn't the typical college student as ecstatic to have the opportunity to go to college and learn anything and everything at their fingertips? I do have a life (play sports, join clubs, party and drink (once in a while)) but I read EVERY chance I get just for my own satisfaction, whether it be on the bus, or waiting for class to begin. I just really love reading. I haven't met anyone like me..perhaps there's premeds on SDN who share my viewpoint?

Why isn't it "cool" or seen ‘normal' on one's part to actually LIKE reading and learning? What's the purpose in life if there's no passion to learn? Beats me.
Click to expand...
You are going to meet tons of nerds in med school. I mean it. Everyone in med school is a nerd, or they wouldn't be there. Hang on a couple more years, and then you'll see.
 
Somewhere along the lines, college became a prerequisite to getting a decent job. When this happened, the proportion of students who didn't belong in college in the first place went from a small few, to the overwhelming majority.

Those students are not interested in an education and just want a sticker on their resume. They dumb down college for those who do want to learn and their existence led to the ludicrous establishment of online universities and other associated diploma mills.
 
CCLCMer said:
You are going to meet tons of nerds in med school. I mean it. Everyone in med school is a nerd, or they wouldn't be there. Hang on a couple more years, and then you'll see.
Click to expand...

excellent. long have I desired to be amongst my people once more.
 
don't worry. different people have different priorities and maturity levels. give it a decade or two. you'll be making a difference in the world, and they'll be making a difference on the shininess of your shoes.
 
I for one welcome our nerdy overlords.
 
sadly when people talk about a "love of learning" there's just as much chance that person is actually a gunner rather than nerd.

...and the fact that you used the term "rising junior" clearly a sign that you are a gunner... the worst type of all premeds.
 
maestro1625 said:
sadly when people talk about a "love of learning" there's just as much chance that person is actually a gunner rather than nerd.

...and the fact that you used the term "rising junior" clearly a sign that you are a gunner... the worst type of all premeds.
Click to expand...

:laugh:
How come we don't have a gunner smiley?!?!?!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Is it normal to be invited to tour a school while on the waitlist?
Replies
2
Views
603
Rachapkis
Rachapkis
B
Would it still be worth it to apply to Alice Walton now?
Replies
1
Views
887
chilly_md
chilly_md
H
Is it appropriate to asked to be paid?
Replies
17
Views
2K
mistafab
mistafab
S
Does a DIY postbacc have to be bio?
Replies
3
Views
387
Goro
Goro
jrlybob1
How hard would it be to come back home (California) for residency?
Replies
11
Views
2K
jrlybob1
jrlybob1
Top