Kristen RichardsBiological Sciences Senior and Pre-Med Are you thinking about declaring a Biological Sciences major? Or maybe you recently declared, and are now working to plan out the perfect schedule for the next few years? Either way, you’ve probably noticed the long list of elective classes you can take to meet the requirements of the Biological Sciences major. Though this freedom and flexibility allows you to tailor your college career to your interests and lets you pursue a wider breadth of subjects than some of the more specialized majors, it can be challenging to know just where to start and which classes are right for you. I put together some Dos and Don’ts that have helped me along this path, and I hope they are useful for you as well!
DO take classes that are in line with your goals. If you have a career plan in mind, it can be a good idea to take classes that will help you out in that field. Not only can this give you a jump start into some of the topics, it can also help you to make sure you actually enjoy these topics before fully committing to them. For example, I took Human Physiology and Human Physiology Lab, as these courses provided me foundational knowledge about the human body and prepared me to take the MCAT. DON’T only focus on classes that are in line with your future field. The list of electives you can take covers a variety of fields in biology, so use this time to pursue some of your other interests as well! If you’re pre-med, but have a passion for ecology, build these classes into your schedule while you have the chance. After completing your undergraduate degree, your focus may narrow, but the experiences you gain in these other areas will help you have a greater understanding of the field of biology, and science in general. DO step out of your comfort zone! Don’t be afraid to take a class that is unlike anything you have seen before. Not only will this push you to adapt your learning style to new information, it may help you find an interest you didn’t realize you had! A great way to explore new interests is in a hands-on class. You can choose some of your electives based on labs you’re interested in taking or consider taking one of the field courses at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology! These experiences are great ways to connect with new material and see what you’re learning in action! DON’T take a class because you heard it was easy. If you find yourself in a class that you’re not interested in, it can feel almost impossible to connect with the material and find the motivation to study. Moreover, if you’re putting in minimal effort, you probably won’t get as much out of it as you would in a different course. Don’t forget that one class in the major can be taken on a Satisfactory/No Credit basis, so don’t be afraid to try out that difficult class if it is something you are passionate about! DO plan ahead! Some classes may only be offered in certain terms, or you may need to take a few pre-requisites beforehand, so make sure you have a clear plan. This way, you can get into all the classes you want to take. And don’t worry if this plan changes! You may find other interests and change your mind, so use your plan as a guide. The advising staff and peer advisors are here to help—come talk to us if you’re having trouble figuring out how to fit all of your graduation requirements and courses of interest into your plan. At the end of the day, just remember that there is no one-size-fits-all plan for how to choose your electives. The most important thing is staying true to yourself and choosing classes that align with what you are truly passionate about. Stop by any of the peer advisors’ office hours, and we’d be happy to talk about the electives we’ve taken and guide you in the right direction for you. Mondays @ 10-11 with Colton & Yogi Mondays @ 2-3 with Nora & Parker Tuesdays @ 4-5 with Kristen & Lisa Wednesday @ 9-10 with Julia & Sofie Fridays @ 3-4 with Isabella & Owen
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Pitt Bio BlogThe Pitt Bio Blog is maintained by the Department of Biological Sciences Advising Office. Posts are authored by our students Archives
January 2022
Categories |