<p>Hey folks,
Our DS had done well in his high school computer science, biology and chemistry classes and is considering majoring in one of those. I read on one of the other forums that one must be completely devoted to their major-- including all hobbies-- if they want to major in a science. So the question is about passion.</p>
<p>Like I said DS has done well but is also an athlete (runner) and is social-- meaning he will want to hang out with his non-science class friends. So this means every hobby isn't around science. Surely the poster was just being extreme..I would think anyway or am I off base? Any experiences?</p>
<p>SeminoleTom–That is SO not true. Yes, science majors take up more time because of labs but there are plenty of science majors on the football teams or cross country teams or those they participate in plays, etc. Don’t worry about it. If he can hack the course-load and participate it is not an issue. Our D will be a science major as well as a scholarshipped athlete. There is one girl on her team that is NOT a science major…</p>
<p>So not true.
My daughter & her BF are both science majors at a mid size university. Yesterday they ran in a Boston marathon qualifying race.(they are seniors/juniors)
( they like many of the couples, finished together- it was so cute)</p>
<p>My oldest was very interested in biology, but originally considered attending an art school like Emily Carr or RISD.
She ultimately decided it was easier to be a science major & do art on the side than the reverse.</p>
<p>Her senior year roommate not only double majored in the sciences( very unusual at Reed College because it entails two jr qualifying exams & two senior theses), but he is quite athletic & went rock climbing & hiking many weekends ( Reed also has a PE requirement for graduation & maintains a ski cabin @ Mt. hood-)as well as biking the STP with his dad.</p>
<p>I would agree that the sciences may require more time than perhaps a humanities major, but it also depends on the school & the student.</p>
<p>My cousin was a distance runner, and was a DIII athlete at Swarthmore. He was a physics major, and went on to a PhD and a career as a physics professor. He also had a lot of non-science friends. D2 (hs senior) is planning to major in physics, and maybe minor in art. She wouldn’t dream of giving up all of her non-science friends and activities. Don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Not a problem. My non-science kid spent most of his EC time at Science Olympiad because he saw his big brother having fun there. As a future IR major he “should have” done Model UN, but he didn’t like those kids. It didn’t seem to hurt him.</p>
<p>You could probably find some students who live, eat, and breathe their science major. However, I think it’s good to have a bit of balance in your life. D is a STEM major, but she has hobbies and activities that are totally unrelated. Many of her friends are also STEM majors, but not all of them.</p>
<p>My S loves science, especially physics, but hates math, and has no desire to be an engineer. Is super social and likes to have his hand in many things at all times. He is probably going to try acting, but 2nd choice for him would be a physics teacher.</p>
<p>Some kids need a variety of interests. DS could not do Robotics club due to day/time conflict with Knowledge Bowl club. His hs passion was most definitely music, not science. He is doing well now at a top engineering schools, but still dabbles in music when he cans.</p>
<p>It is VERY important to continue to exercise in college, especially for regular atheletes…even when there is a tough academic load. The tendency is to cut back on exercise, but they need the outlet. It’s good for the brain. It does not need to be a formal sports team, just continued activity.</p>
<p>5boys - From what I know, science majors (especially physics) would require rigorous college math classes too. Perhaps others that know more about non-engineering science majors can chime in.</p>
<p>Physics majors are required to take math through the college sophomore level (multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations) and are often recommended to take more advanced math (e.g. real analysis, complex analysis, abstract algebra).</p>
<p>Biology is less math intensive, typically requiring freshman calculus and possibly statistics (which is very useful in the subject) and combinatorics.</p>
<p>It has been my observation ( both D’s majored in sciences) that science majors usually do have other interests like rock music, running, etc. They seem to be more of a passion oriented people who have passions frequently in multiple areas.</p>
<p>I will echo what everybody else said. DS is considered to be a math/science kid, and although he does have activities that relate to STEM his true passion at this point in life is DJ and movie making. Oh, and he is also a rower. What does he think he will major in? Physics and Economics ;)</p>
<p>Hmmm … I went to an engineering school full of people who had TONS of interests outside of science. Many of my classmates are high ranking executives in major corporations. I think having other interests is a good thing.</p>
<p>My S is a bio major. He likes bio, but he LOVES music … and he is doing well in school, just the same.</p>
<p>Hobbies and extracurriculars are a poor benchmark of passion or potential for success. In fact, being too busy limits the amount of time and energy the mind can spend digesting information it has already acquired, which is more important than learning new information anyways. Mental exhaustion is an intellectual’s worst enemy. I’ve literally gotten adrenaline rushes in bed, in the car, at social gatherings, in lectures for unrelated classes, and on long walks when something finally clicked or I finally solved a problem that had been nagging me for weeks, months, or even years. I attribute that largely to my slow, relaxed pace of academic progress.</p>
<p>Hobbies are good for mental balance and a happy life. If your life is happy without interests outside your work, that is fine. For many, however, having other interests is healthy.</p>
<p>So many math/science people I could name who have many other passions- of all ages. Have checked professors’ websites via their depts. and find fascinating extracurriculars. Know many physicians with many diverse interests. Son always found time to run and read outside his fields. Had a college fellow female chemistry major friend back in the '70’s who taught me about ice hockey, gothic architecture and many other things while we worked on our honors degrees. Keys to the Chemistry building as seniors were most useful as access to a place to get warm while going from place A to B at night. I took electives in art history, symphony, history of science and a fantasy and sci fi course all beyond graduation requirements, also. Another Chemistry friend ushered for music events at the Union to get free tickets- PhD and beyond later. Third friend had Pharmaceutical job as a PhD and did obedience dog shows.</p>
<p>I sometimes think scientists (and those in science/math related fields) are more well rounded than liberal arts majors because we take a lot more humanities than they do sciences! And our activities are not likely in our field.</p>
<p>I was a chemistry major and most of my friends were science majors, but I would say that none of us were particularly passionate about science as undergrads. All of us had interests, hobbies, and passions outside the lab - movies, sports, music, all the things already mentioned here.</p>
<p>I will say, though, that if you’re headed to grad school in a science, you’d better be REALLY passionate about your field of study. Otherwise, you’re going to be fairly unhappy spending 70+ hours a week in the lab.</p>