Yeah, I get it. We get a bad rep. Nobody understands what you're doing and it's so difficult to explain to other people (ahem especially family members) why you're doing it this way. People within your major judge you. People in your pre-med/health classes judge you. EVERYBODY is judging you. They'll laugh at your face, give you a funny look, maybe even snicker behind your back. But hey, you're not alone in this and WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU.
1. Your class schedule is a little bewildering.
Justine Ramos
"So what are your plans today?"
"i have to do a 10 page essay on William Blake's Marriage of Heaven and Hell and then I have to go study for practical exam for anatomy, then I have to finish up a 400 page Romantic novel in between finishing my O-Chem Lab"
2. "What are you planning to do with that humanities degree?" "Go to med school." " Oh, so you're doing the cowards way out."
Let's see you try and bust a 3500 word paper and do 45 sets of physics problems on the same night.
3. Condescending Aunt @ Thanksgiving: "If you don't study something like Biology, then no patient will ever go to you."
Me: If you don't study that cook book then nobody will ever eat your casserole
4. You're the essay checker among your STEM friends.
Let's face it, STEM majors can't write a 500 word essay on the impact of ice cream in the world to save their lives.
5. "William Carlos Williams was a Pediatrician AND a Poet"
William Carlos Williams Reading at Columbia 1942
6. Now, this is the tea SIS.
https://www.zippia.com/advice/med-school-major/
7. You have a pretty good grasp of the Social-Cultural Context of health care that many pre-med/health students lack knowledge of.
Ok REAL TALK. Surprise, surprise, there's discrimination, inequality, and oppression in health care services. Race, gender, sexuality, cultural background and etc. have a huge impact in someone's health. Looking through the narrow medical model is sooooo 100 years ago. Yet, this is something a lot of STEM students can't grasp.
8. At family gatherings, you just choose to say "I'm studying to become a Doctor, PA, OT, PT, etc" instead of saying your major to avoid THAT conversation.
Please don't ask any more questions. Let's talk about YOUR kid, instead.
9. Inviting your Pre-Med/Health Friends and your Humanities Friends For Your Birthday.
https://twitter.com/Mozambique_1/status/1103364816767500290
I know it's a struggle. But hey, there are SO many good reasons to do this and it's not that uncommon to find people majoring in humanities but looking into the medical/health fields. Take this piece advice from a graduating medical student at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
