Are you ready to lose your life?

Kidding. Kind of. As a college student pursuing a dual degree in both biology and clinical laboratory science, with a minor in chemistry - I can promise you nothing, but give you a few insights on the life of dual degree major. For one, a dual degree does not mean double majoring.

A dual degree, in the United States, is a program created by two universities that essentially has one student finish one major faster, while the other one is still in progress. Whichever one is leftover will be the one the student finishes with the second school. So a dual degree essentially has you working and graduating under two different colleges.

So what is life as a dual degree-er, aka a joint degree program major? Tough. Although, that should not be too surprising to hear, right? When you do a dual degree, you are undertaking more coursework per semester than your other peers. You might even give those STEM and writing majors a run for their money with the amount of time you can expect to accumulate studying or spending in the library.

However, besides calling it tough, I can also tell you that the path is lonely. Take that in whatever sense you want to take it, but it is indeed very lonely. Seldom many people undergo a dual degree program, and so you will find yourself possibly juggling two different peer groups - for example, business and law majors, depending on your program. Besides that, many people might try and convince you to drop one program and switch over to just one major pathway. Why? Because the road is tough, the commitment is huge, and not many people ever completely realize the sacrifice of time and leisure that it takes to get to the destination.

As a dual degree program major, or as a possible candidate for one, I can also advise you to always try and be connected to your advisors and mentors. Since the program is typically an articulation program with two different schools - you will find that your main advisor on your primary campus may not have all the answers to your questions and/or problems. So reach out and find out who the admissions or faculty advisor is on the other campus, and keep in touch with them to make sure you are taking the right classes for the program and not just your primary school's classes.

Also, don't take 'no' as an answer. Like I said, the road is tough and many people will be encumbered by your predicament as well as not believe in your success. The key to pushing past their doubts is by not listening to them and pushing through. You will have to fight for more credits per semester, maybe even more financial support, try to squeeze into other classes, etcetera.

The point is, the path is narrow and bumpy, but if you persevere, your will reap what you sow or maybe even more!