The truth about my way into cognitive science:
as a former bio major from the Philippines, moving to America did not transfer over most of my credits. I went to community college with a fresh slate, turns out. My family was moving from place to place every month, it was really unstable. I had to adjust to the system and learn how to work a job while studying.
Because I didnāt want to stop schooling, I decided to take more psychology, literature and some bio classes. This was hard to do while working, moving place to place and dealing with mental health stuff in the family.
All I knew was that I loved school and I hoped to be a doctor. Oh, how small my world was.
Community college allowed me to sign up for tours to different universities. I visited UC Davis and that was my top choice for transferring.
The only major my current academic courses met for requirements was Cognitive Science. I couldnāt commit to fulfilling my pre-med requirements at cc so I couldnāt transfer as a bio major anyway or any hard STEM majors.
I learned something about myself though. I was looking for a major that studied the mind, the process of learning and that integrated my love for biology, the brain and technology. I wanted it all, I suppose.
So here I am āswimming with the rest of the cognitive science majors at UCDavis, exploring my options, learning to learn and unlearn, learning to be kinder to my mind and soul.
