I have heard that the environment there is very stressful and that everyone always feels under pressure. How true is this? I am considering Hopkins, but I am not sure if this type of environment would be right for me so I would like to know if this is what Hopkins is like. Thanks!
Hi! It’s good to consider how you might do in an environment like Hopkins. I’d say that you’re right in that Hopkins does has its stressful moments; it is, after all, a very rigorous school. However, the amount of stress you’ll experience is more dependent on your major and the courseload / extracurricular load that you decide to take on, than on Hopkins itself.
However, in terms of the overall atmosphere, I wouldn’t use the word “stressful,” but “pressure” is pretty apt. For me, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you’re considering pre-med, you may understand this metaphor. You know how Emergency Medicine is really a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping, intellectually challenging environment? Not every medical student would do well in that kind of environment, but there are some who would be bored and understimulated in a calmer, 9-to-5 specialty.
Hopkins is pretty similar. For that reason, it’s not for everyone. But it is for some people. Also note that this doesn’t mean Hopkins students don’t explore the city, procrastinate, socialize, relax, party (we do).
Okay thank you! As you stated that your major can help to determine how stressed (or not stressed) a person feels, would you possibly be able to share how stressful you have heard/observed different majors to be? I have heard that sciences and engineering are generally some of the more stressful majors, but I have also heard that it varies from school to school. I would not decide on a major based on its predicted level of stress, I am just curious. Thanks!
Let’s see. The most stressful majors I’ve heard about are: All the engineering majors (except, I haven’t heard that much about Civil Engineering) and Neuroscience. There are also majors I’ve heard about that are intensive but not necessarily stressful because they’re difficult: Computer Science, International Studies, Public Health, and Writing Seminars. The level of stress also depends on whether or not you’re premed, and how many extracurriculars you take on.
Are you saying the premed students are generally more stressed? Also how would you compare stress of premed students at JHU to those of other top schools? (Duke, ivies, etc.)
I would say that premeds are more stressed. Part of that is that many Type A people / workaholics are premeds, part of it is the pressure of looming med school applications, and part of it is the classes themselves. I really can’t say for other schools since I don’t go to any other schools. I imagine that many Ivies have grade inflation that reduces the stress of the courses (though not Cornell), and I would think that the “Work hard, play hard” thing that Duke has would attract a more diverse group of students than just Type As.
If someone were interested in one of the majors you stated as being the most stressful AND premed, do you think that Johns Hopkins might end up being a bit too stressful? Obviously you will have some stress at a school of Hopkins’s caliber, but too much stress is simply not healthy and would make college a very negative experience.
I think there is a fine line between being stressful/pressured and being challenged. It seems to me if you’re a premed at ANY top school, you will most likely be stressed/pressured. I think that a majority of (both premed and non-premed) JHU students are being challenged, which I consider as an opportunity to learn and improve.
^ That’s very true. Hopkins isn’t a fire hose of stressor after stressor; there are ebbs and flows, even for the most intensive majors. If you were a Neuro major and premed, does that necessarily mean you’ll be stressed out? Of course not. But if you’re a Neuro major, Philosophy minor, premed, member of three clubs, working, and doing research, and trying to give your all to everything, you might find it to be too stressful. You’ll never be locked into a situation that’s too stressful; you can always cut back on what you’re doing. But you might also surprise yourself and find out that you’re capable of handling more than you thought you could. You have to find that balance between being challenged and stressed/pressured.
Okay thank you both! I obviously want to be challenged, but I wouldn’t want to be stressed out to the point of it being unhealthy or damaging to my overall experience at school. This helps a lot!
I had similar thoughts coming into JHU, but found out that it really wasn’t as bad as the “rumors” claimed. It is challenging and stressful at times just as OnMyWay2013 said, but aren’t all top colleges similar in that regard? Personally, as an engineering major, I don’t think JHU is particularly any more stressful than other high caliber schools.
As a premed neuroscience major, I can attest to the fact that while there are definitely some seriously stressful moments, it’s not as bad as it may seem. The really chaotic, caffeine-driven stressful moments for me were during finals, and aside from that, the workload was definitely manageable enough for me to participate in a few clubs/student groups on campus. Granted, I did not party at all during the school year, and this definitely contributed to me having enough time to study, go to class, keep up with extracurriculars, and still get a decent night’s sleep. It’s all about how you manage your time, in my opinion.