As my four-year undergraduate degree comes to a close, I decided to write down the things that I came to realize throughout my journey. Perhaps these are only applicable to science majors at BYU, or maybe just to me because I'm weird, but these realizations helped me to laugh and to learn.
Being a STEM major is HARD. Often, we get discouraged and think that we're paying so much money, and that we're going to be so in debt that we won't be able to make a true difference in the world, or that that same difference will take at least another 20 years to achieve. However, I find what Pres. Uchtdorf said in a recent conference to be true; we shouldn't wait until future events to be happy. Life is all about finding joy in the journey.
So these are the things that I found to be true or that I thought about for the last four years:
As a STEM, specifically Science, major:
1. You will start making organic molecules out of every shape around you.
I cannot tell you how many times I saw stuff on the sidewalk.
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| These two blocks of cement sideways make 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane. Try saying that five times fast. |
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| Oh, just some cyclohexane rings, nbd. |
2. You will scoff if a non-STEM major brags about their 4.0.
I know you might think that your Foundations of Sewing class is hard because it's challenging, but try taking organic chem, organic chem lab, physics, physics lab, anatomy, anatomy lab, and a stupid generals class and getting a 4.0.... better yet, try it at an actually hard university (Your 4.0 might as well be a 3.2, I've seen your pictures of assignments that you think are hard. THEY ARE NOT HARD. Suck it up, people!).
3. You will lose a few self-esteem points. You need to find an outlet to gain them back or you will get depressed haha.
I have never felt more incompetent than in a college science class. No matter how many hours of non-cramming study I put in, sometimes I still did bad on the tests! Like, WHAT THE HECK!?!? But, remember, learning is all about understanding your mistakes and making the necessary changes to get better. Don't believe me?? Go read Daniel Coyle's The Talent Code. It is also important to take breaks here and there. For me, being part of the Salsa Club presidency really helped out. Not only did I get to teach dancing, which I love, but I also helped to make the Salsa Club the largest club on campus and thus, I made a lot of friends, added something interesting to my resume, and de-stressed between study periods.
4. You will understand that the College Triangle is REAL.
Behold, the College Triangle:
Good grades + social life = NO SLEEP
Good grades + enough sleep = NO FRIENDS
Enough sleep + social life = BAD GRADES
It is so hard to balance it all. They key to getting around the college triangle is to know when you can do what. There are times where you can party and sleep and study; just make sure you know what your priorities are. If you have a midterm around the corner, it's ok to not go party. THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PARTIES.
5. You will learn not to worry over a test until after you know the class average.
Sometimes you walk out of the testing center feeling bummed cuz you got a 75% so you call your mom and cry and then eat a ton of ice cream or other junk food or treat yourself to a shopping spree to make you like you're not that much of a failure. And then, later you learn that the class average was 62%. Except for that annoying nerd that got 97% and threw off the whole curve, you did good!! Just work with your Professor or TA to understand the problems you got wrong. And if you are the annoying nerd, then all the more power to ya. Nerds, unite!
6. You will need to understand that you can't discriminate against people that are non-STEM majors or girls that aren't in school because they're married.
Being an LDS girl during your 20s is sometimes hard because you don't know what to do with your life. You understand that being a wife and mom would be the most fantastic thing that could happen to you, but you are ambitious and want a career. You get super hyped up because you can make a true change in the world (LIKE CURE CANCER!) with your education, so you look down on girls that are married or that choose to get married over "making something of themselves." You shouldn't do that.
Julia Styles in Mona Lisa Smile said it perfectly (she's Joan):
Joan Brandwyn: Do you think I'll wake up one morning and regret not being a lawyer?
Katherine Watson: Yes, I'm afraid that you will.
Joan Brandwyn: Not as much as I'd regret not having a family, not being there to raise them. I know exactly what I'm doing and it doesn't make me any less smart. This must seem terrible to you.
Katherine Watson: I didn't say that.
Joan Brandwyn: Sure you did. You always do. You stand in class and tell us to look beyond the image, but you don't. To you a housewife is someone who sold her soul for a center hall colonial. She has no depth, no intellect, no interests. You're the one who said I could do anything I wanted. This is what I want.
Yes, organic chemistry is, in theory, harder than sewing. In theory, calculus does require a lot more brain power than understanding the psychological and political reasonings behind history. But can you say calculus requires more brain power than teaching and dealing with three screaming kids?? Education is very important. How can you raise future generations if you're not educated? Educated wives and mothers, and husbands and fathers are the people that really make a difference.
Overall, just strive to do your best and you'll be blessed. Trust that the Lord has a plan for you, no matter what stage of life you are in. Whether you are still struggling with the day-to-day challenges of high school or college, or whether you are married and struggling with the challenges of marriage, life is a challenge in and of itself. In this challenge, learn to find joy in the little things, and always laugh and smile. Things are not always as bad as you think they are and they will always be better if you find a lesson to learn from your situation.
Just in case you're reading this and need a pick-me-up, watch this:
And that is all.
