I’m looking into becoming either a Biology or Human Biology major for pre med. I’m not too big on a “social” life. I’m very shy and introverted and I’m not the type to go and hang out with friends every other night of the week. Heck, I’m barely the type to HAVE many friends. I’m not into parties, drugs, or drinking. I just want some time to myself that isn’t filled with studying.
My dad was an electrical engineering major (at the same school I’m going to) and he said he was a party animal. He apparently partied a LOT and spent many a night out drinking with his friends. However, he knew where to draw the line on partying when he really needed to study. He later graduated near the top of his class.
Given that Bio is apparently less intense than engineering, I was wondering if I’ll have a comparable amount of free time as my dad.
My guess is that it depends on the student.
My daughter is a double major and double minor, with one of her majors being biology. She is not a drinker or partier either. She works hard, but also has plenty of time for her clubs ( she is on five committees in two clubs), for attending games, and for doing other things she enjoys. She also tutors several times a week.
Well, I suppose it depends on the school itself - college has changed considerably since your father was a student. Also it depends on the student’s work ethic, as well. Some kids can’t handle the major and switch out after first semester (just watched a YT video of a girl who went to Boston University as a Biology major w. the intention of going to Med/Dental school after graduation - first semester, she got overwhelmed by the combination of science courses/labs and switched to a Business major), while others excel and manage to maintain strong grades, a social life, meaningful extracurricular activities, and so on.
I couldn’t imagine spending that many nights out as a ChemE major, so I agree that it is largely dependent on your personality and work ethic. You’ll find stuff to do for the free time you have – clubs, volunteering, a job, whatever.
Regardless of your actual major, pre-med can be stressful in a grades/GPA sense, since the minimum GPA to have a chance at medical school admission is higher than the minimum GPA for an engineering major to have a chance of employment as an engineer.
Also, pre-meds have to participate in expected pre-med extracurriculars that take up some of your out-of-class time.
Well, it depends on you as a student doesn’t it? I’m a biochem major on a premed track and I’d generally say I go out with friends on Friday and/or Sat nights (not parties though, I’m not much of a partier haha) and spend most of Saturday relaxing/doing things I like. You do need to devote time to ECs, volunteering, etc. so my weekdays were pretty busy, but not impossible to work in time for myself or for friends.