People get into relationships in the first place because they make them happy. Indeed, the first phase of any relationship is a joyous one- cute little surprises from your spouse, long meaningful conversations, mindblowing love-making- it can make life worth living on even the toughest of days. But sadly, relationships don't always stay that way. People take others for granted, neglect them, or just downright change. Eventually, the relationship becomes too much of a hassle to deal with than it is a joy, and that's when you have to ask yourself the pivotal question- just a rough spot, or not worth continuing all together?
I can't exactly explain what happened between me and Chemistry. Maybe it was because for the first time in a long time, the intro class came really easily to me. I was doing science, and I wasn't sucking at it! Maybe it was because I soon learned that this actually had a lot to do with some of the cooler aspects of physics, like quantum mechanics and entropy. Maybe it was the thought of understanding what makes things react and fizz and bubble, and being able to synthesize any thing I wanted if given the right ingredients. Maybe I just liked the sound of it and can picture myself doing it. Hell, maybe it was just cuz I go to a women's college.
Anyway, registration has already closed so in all liklihood I'm already sucked into taking the continuation next semester. But with dad freaking out over how much I'm killing my GPA (hopefully Pass/Fail will ameliorate that, plus its only one of three classes, though ironically the class will still take up most of my time) my social life seriously suffering, and my overall well being on the hinge, I have to wonder if this is really all worth it.
So here it is, it's time for the list. Chemistry: what I like about it, What I don't like about it. I know this must make for incredibly boring blogging, but I REALLY need some advice.
Good:
*learn really cool stuff that is relevant to my daily life. Deeply satisfying.
* Possibly the most I've ever been drawn to any class. (Though comporable to AP US History)
*get to go to lab and do fun lab experiements! ( highlight of my weekdays when it's not stressing me out, which it doesn't do too often.)
*If i get good grades in it after all, I will feel accomplished and be able to synthesise stuff! Yes it will take a lot of work, but I'll know chemistry! And people don't do much on weekends here anyway.
*Can teach it to women in countries dominated by archaic patriarchies.
*Won't have to look back and think "Damn I loved that class, but I gave up because I'm just too dumb to do chemistry. Silly me, thinking I could actually be good at a science."*shudder* (Warning: might also lead to intense bitterness around the subject for the rest of my life)
Bad:
*manipulating it in its entirety is something that might not be mastered without much more concentration. (WTF is with all these isomers?) Plus, if I am desperate to synthesize something, there's always the internet.
* Inevitbly falling behind, then COMPLETELY devoting EVERY OTHER WEEKEND to studying for exams, realizing there's no way I can organize then cram all this information in my head even after spending at least 12+ hours studying, bursting into tears at least 3x, and still getting Cs.
*Missing out on social engagements and the possiblity of enjoying my young life because of said exams.
*I could teach the humanities too, or be a better lawyer and just fight for human rights as a whole.
* I can always go back to school and learn this stuff when I'm older (If I have the time and money)
Again, any advice is greatly appreciated here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Frankly Juicy, if it's really taking this awful mental and social toll on you, it may not end up being worth it in the end. If you go balls-to-the-wall with chemistry, what would you do with it? Teach?
College is supposed to be the best four years of your life. Yes, you must learn how to learn and learn how to work hard, but you must also take time to kick back and enjoy yourself as well. If you find this subject to be ruling you to the extent where opportunities of which you'd like to take advantage are passing you by, then it might be time to reevaluate things before you're in too deep.
I took a class last term on the Old Testament, a class I eventually got a C in for the term. Sure, I could have studied really hard and maybe swung a B in it, but that would have meant that I would have needed to allow other parts of college life to pass me by. It wasn't worth it, so I settled for the C resolved never to take another Religion class, and enjoyed the time that I would've otherwise devoted to a fruitless pursuit of biblical minutiae.
Balance is good in all things. If you're not getting it, it may be time for a change in strategy.
Holla back sometime.
--T.G.
Actually, I would derive much joy from teaching Chemistry and have started to do volunteer work...
But you're right, I think my dad nagged me at just the right time about all this. I'm taking it over the summer instead.
Post a Comment