Do I Genuinely Like Being a Bio Major/Pre-Med Student? Advice + STUDY TIPS

by Ayishat Yussuf

I'm backkk but i'm here to spill some truth on being a biology major on the pre-med track. 

Throughout the fall semester of my freshman year of college, I was going through a midlife crisis. I really didn't know if biology was for me. I didn't know if I was making the right choice of studying STEM anymore. Shoot, I didn't even know if I was "smart enough" to become a doctor in the future (inshaAllah). I was contemplating on either sticking with bio or becoming a health science major. During that problem, I made efforts in trying to figure out WHY I felt like biology wasn't for me. After finishing the semester, I realized it was based off of my way of understanding the concepts & topics. 

The best I did on any of the exams throughout that fall bio class was getting only 6 questions wrong...and that was the final🤭. I say that to say that the underlying factor of me previously believing I wasn't meant to be a bio major was because I didn't know how to study. I was never taught how to study effectively. 

Now, realizing the root cause of my thought process connects deeply to history *cough cough, systemic racism*.

We will get into the history at another time lol :)

Anyways, I feel like I'm able to give advice now on how to study effectively and give techniques to use regardless of your major!

*side note: i'm still trying my best to apply these study tips i'm giving you all of course!*

Here's a list I created below❤️:

  • Having a growth mindset: 
    • understanding that your mind grows over time and there’s no such thing as it being “fixed” (unless you start to believe that it is, which is where you then have a “fixed mindset”
    • you “become good" at whatever topic you're learning —> it takes lots of practice!!! 
    • you grow through failure, mistakes, practice, and obstacles.
    • ITS NOT THAT YOU AREN’T SMART ENOUGH, YOU JUST DON’T KNOW HOW TO STUDY/WEREN’T TAUGHT TO STUDY CORRECTLY :) -Buck Parker, M.D: yt channel
  • GRIT
    • Understand that life is filled with failures/obstacles to better prepare us for our future.
  • Group Peer Group & Mentor:
    • you become the people you hang around so be around people who are SERIOUS about being a successful student (eliminate distractions)
    • ask someone to their mentee and develop that mentor:mentee relationship
    • MAKE USE OF TUTORS!!!! ALSO OFFICE HOURS!!! (don’t wait the last minute) *cough cough, the day before an exam*
    • Meet up with friends/classmates and discuss the concepts you learned in the previous class 
  • Understand that your time is valuable: 
    • realize you can’t be 100% present in every organization or even job, you don’t want to ruin your gpa and drive yourself crazy. This also goes into avoiding burn out. 
  • Prioritize your mental health:
    • put yourself first!!!
    • it’s ok to take breaks, don’t feel guilty. 
  • Don’t allow imposter syndrome to weigh you down:
    • Fear guides you to bad decision making. 
    • Build your confidence with self-affirmations and the elimination of negative self-talk!
    • Find your balance.
  • Use different study techniques:
    • Active Recall: stimulating your memory by using flashcards, asking questions, & more!!! Do it the DAY AFTER THE LECTURE/CLASS!!!
    • Practice Questions
    • Memorize concepts
    • Leitner System: Repeat the information you know THE LEAST!!!
    • Spaced Repetition: Research shows that if you don’t review information you learned in the last 24 hours after receiving the information, you forget almost 80% of what you learned.
  • Use resources/websites:
    • Khan Academy
    • Quizlet
    • There's others of course, just make sure it works for you!
  • Get to understand yourself better regarding how YOU study (Nellah Grace: yt channel):
    • Ask yourself by reflecting on if you’re a morning or night person:
      • FUN FACT: Your brain, according to research, is in acquisition mode during these two periods:
        • 10AM-2PM
        • 4PM-10PM
      • Try studying between those periods and see if it's effective!
  • Be Consistent 
  • SLEEEEEP!!!! & Take Breaks: 
    • You can’t force yourself to keep studying when you are tired. Don’t overdue it because your brain isn’t focused on the topics/concepts you want to study…it’s now focused on getting rest. It’s basically in “sleep mode” and that is ok!!! 
    • When you decide to take a break, make sure the break time is a little longer than how much you studied for. 

Biology MAJOR & Pre-Med Student Advice:

  • keep thinking mathematically/scientifically!!! keeps you and your brain engaged.
  • study for standardized tests as soon as you can!!! (Ex: MCAT if you’re a premed student)
  • learn how to take tests. 
  • biology is so general…so there’s a lot of topics and concepts. In order to learn 
    • Memorize the concepts with flashcards
    • Active Recall
    • Practice: This applies more to chemistry, organic chem, & physics
      • “Write down reagents somewhere in your room or notebook, because you will tend to see them everyday!!!” -Shaun Anderson: yt channel.
    • Memorize equations by doing open note practice questions!!!
    • Use different websites:
      • Khan Academy
      • Youtube Videos:
        • The Organic Chemistry Tutor
        • Crash Course
      • Quizlet
      • Bioninja
      • Kenhub

This is all the study habits I have today, but to answer the overall question of this blog...

 NIH/NIA Summer Internship 2023

Yes. I actually like being a Biology Pre-Med student. Alhamdulilah❤️.

Thank you & stay safe!

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