A Reflection on My Sophomore Year
As a pre-med student majoring in Biopsychology and minoring in Chemistry, my classes are often STEM based, besides the occasional humanities, world civilization or art requirements (which have taken me by surprise and been some of my favorite classes at Tufts!). With so many amazing options to choose from, it can be difficult narrowing down classes, but I see that as a positive aspect of my academic experience.
Last semester, I decided to take the notorious Organic Chemistry (and its lab) to fulfill my pre-med requirement, but it also double counted towards my minor. Biology 13 (and its lab) similarly counted towards my pre-medical prerequisite; however, it is also a part of my major. Philosophy II fulfilled both my humanities and writing requirement. Lastly, as a fun art and culture requirement, I enrolled in Gospel Choir-- a popular class here at Tufts with over two hundred students.
These classes were a full load, totaling to eighteen credits which is the maximum amount as an Arts and Sciences student. While this may seem to be a lot, it was manageable with discipline and planning. Out of these classes, Organic Chemistry, as expected, was the most challenging, including the lecture and the lab. However, it was my most rewarding class and if someone asked me if I’d take it again… I’d say yes! In fact, this class is what inspired me to minor in Chemistry. Besides just its concepts, this class taught me to push myself outside of my comfort zone and embrace the unknown. If you’re also hesitating about taking that challenging class, my advice? Go for it! You might surprise yourself.
Philosophy II is another class worth highlighting. If not for the humanities and writing requirement, I might not have selected the class, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I felt as if I improved as a writer and the discussions made me think about topics relating to why we experience anger and if its rational, when we should place trust into a source, and what it means to be serious. I highly recommend it even if you’ve never had experience in philosophy.
Outside of school, I worked in a laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where I researched hematology/oncology. I’m a big advocate for gaining hands-on experience in order to know what you like and what you don’t, especially before devoting your life to a specific field.
Now let’s switch gears to this semester. I am currently enrolled in Psych Statistics, Genetics, Emotion, and Brain and Behavior, each offering unique insights into the complexities of human biology and behavior while also counting towards my Biopsychology major. Today, I just took a Brain and Behavior quiz which covered all things about sleep, a small subset of our class. Although this semester is not over yet, I have already learned a lot in this class from neural communication to child brain development to sensory processing.
Genetics is my most challenging class this semester with weekly problem sets that average to around forty questions. However, these problem sets are extremely helpful when it comes time for our exam and our professor, Professor Mirkin, is exceptional in her teaching style and transparency leading to students understanding material well.
Outside of the classroom, I decided to volunteer work at Mass General Hospital once a week in their library. In this position, I deliver books to patients and provide company to those who need it. While aspects of this job can be sad, it is rewarding to develop connections with regular patients and their nurses. It has also helped me understand the real-life impact of patient care in a hospital.
As you also navigate your journey here, I hope you can take something out of my advice; there are endless opportunities at Tufts to be taken advantage of. The liberal arts education is something I’m very grateful for as it has pushed me to take different classes that I may not have otherwise. So, whether it's signing up for that intimidating course, diving into extracurricular activities, or seeking out hands-on experiences, don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. Tufts is a place where you can truly tailor your education to your interests and aspirations.