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I can’t believe I completed my 2016 bullet journal (left). So stoked to fill in all the memories to come this year💕aka New York in March😍

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my college experience- post 2

Ok, I know I said I’d talk about what it’s like to be a science major in this post, but I’ve changed my mind. Before I talk about that, I want to do a quick rant about putting others down because of their major. If you know me personally or have seen my rants the past few years, then you already know what you’re about to read.

I’ve met quite a number of people whose first reaction when I say “I’m a science major” say something along the lines of “Wow, I respect that. I could never do that. You must not go out a lot then huh?” I have also met people who talk down on other majors because 1) What kind of career would you get with that major after college? 2) Their time commitment is less than theirs. 

Personally, I don’t recall ever talking down on other people’s majors (unless I have personal beef with them), and if I have, then I am genuinely sorry. For my time during my undergrad taught me to be less ignorant about things like this. Here’s my personal opinions on why people shouldn’t talk others down about their major:

For some, it’s their passion to pursue this major because of how it has impacted their life, either directly or indirectly.

They know themselves best. Meaning, they know what their interests are. If someone is interested in numbers and want to pursue accounting, physics, or mathematics, then boo, do you. Don’t talk down on them because these concepts are things one can’t easily grasp.

Speaking of grasping information, it’s major key to know this about yourself. For example, I’m more of a visual/auditory learner. I learn best when I’m one on one with an instructor (sometimes during lecture as well but it’s not as effective) and they’re explaining and drawing concepts while I follow along. For others, they are kinesthetic learners, so time in the lab is probably their prime time.

Everyone learns differently at different paces! Just because it takes someone longer to understand something, does not necessarily mean they aren’t fit for a particular major. And please don’t try to talk them into switching their major. Let them decide.

There is no “easy” major. From what I have witnessed, every major has some (or many) classes, usually upper div, that everyone identifies as some of the toughest classes you’ll take in that major.  

Back to the whole career thing, don’t trip about how much money you’ll be making compared to your colleagues. What matters is that you’re happy with what you do. As cliche as it sounds, work in a job that doesn’t feel like work. 

Please be considerate when talking about majors with others. Bring people up, not down.

xo,

Nikki 

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my college experience- post 1

Hi, my name is Nikki. 

I started this studyblr right before my senior year in my undergrad. First off, having a studyblr and maintaining it was quite fun, but I forgot about it most of the time. Well, forgot about tumblr really.

As of today it’s been two months (holy fuck) since I’ve graduated from college. So I guess my first post in this little series of blog posts I’ll be sharing is- plans for myself; post-grad. med school?

Personally, I don’t want to move back in with my parents and live back in the place that I grew up. There’s nothing wrong with any of this, but I’d be back to my old self- someone who was afraid to reach out of her comfort zone, and I’d be taking a million steps back from how much I’ve progressed the past four years in college. 

I knew I had to find something for me straight out of college- or in my case, three months after graduation. My motivation was that I didn’t want to be back in my hometown. Luckily for me, my supervisors from my jobs at school recommended me to apply for these volunteer service programs that are year long commitments. I thought- “woah, this is perfect. I’d get first hand experience in the medical field and live out of state!” (side note: I’ve got a huge case of wanderlust and my goal in life is to live in at least 5 different states and 2 different countries, so this was perf for me). I applied to two programs and got into both. Choosing was difficult and took me a while to confirm my placement between the two. Fast forward, I got an offer to work as a wellness coordinator at a family clinic in St. Louis, MO and I’ll be making my way out there in two weeks (oh my).

I chose to go into these programs because honestly, I’m really tired of school. Don’t get me wrong, learning is so much fun to me, but being ridiculed of my intelligence because I can’t grasp concepts as quickly as others, or to constantly be in a competition to see who would get a better grade, or always being in fear of failing and retaking my classes (trust me, that happened a lot) was so fucking draining. I was honestly burned out by my sophomore year because of my academic load so these past two years were rough for me. So, I’m in desperate need of a break. Plus, I never really got a chance to shadow and volunteer to really see if pursuing medicine is what I want to do. Med school, however, is still on the back of my mind or possibly getting my MPH in grad school. I’m 22 and I’ve still got a long way to go and a lot of time to decide. 

Ok, since this first post is about my post grad plans, I think my next post will be what it’s like to be a science major/staying in the school of science.

xo,

Nikki

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030116- 1:18am Can't believe it's March already!

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012016- it was a beautiful day outside☺️

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I technically have a six day weekend thanks to the MLK holiday and because I have webinars instead of going to class. Then we have a field trip on Thursday to either the Academy of Sciences or the Oakland Zoo. I should probably use this weekend to catch up on my online Sports Psych class because I haven't touched it since June.. Hope everyone has a great weekend!😊

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Getting started on my bullet journal☺️

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I'm taking physics next semester.

Last time I took physics was over a year ago omg I'm so scared. I don't even know how I passed last time.