Advice for biology majors | how to succeed in biology

pleiotropy

20 Jul 202030:11

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video offers extensive advice for biology majors, highlighting the benefits of the major in terms of enjoyment and future income potential. It emphasizes the importance of pursuing graduate or professional school for higher earnings and shares strategies for academic success, including developing a growth mindset and grit. The video also discusses the value of maintaining mathematical skills, finding a supportive peer group and mentor, minimizing personal distractions, and utilizing campus resources. It provides insights on selecting the right faculty for research opportunities and emphasizes the significance of early planning for standardized tests, internships, and building a strong resume. The speaker encourages students to remain open-minded about their career paths and to actively seek out the wealth of opportunities available to them.

Takeaways

🌟 A biology major can lead to a lucrative career and is the second-best major in terms of future income potential.
🎓 Pursuing graduate or professional school after obtaining a bachelor's degree in biology is crucial for higher income prospects.
💡 Developing a growth mindset and grit are two psychological traits that are strongly associated with success in college and beyond.
📈 Staying proficient in math is important for overall success, even in non-mathematical fields like biology.
👥 Finding a good peer group and mentor can significantly contribute to academic success and personal growth.
🚫 Minimizing personal distractions such as family obligations, significant others, and dead-end jobs allows for better focus on education.
💌 Utilizing university resources like psychological services, academic advisors, and financial aid offices is essential for a successful college experience.
🏆 Being proactive in seeking scholarships and awards can increase chances of obtaining them and enhance one's resume.
📚 Strategically selecting general education courses and obtaining additional qualifications or skills can make a biology major stand out.
🧬 Gaining research experience and internships is almost required for graduate school and provides valuable insight into the field.
📈 Starting early with preparation for standardized tests, building a strong GPA, and developing skills is crucial for future success.

Q & A

What is the significance of choosing a biology major according to the video?
-The video highlights that a biology major is enjoyable and is associated with a high average income in the future. It can lead to a lucrative career and provides a strong foundation for understanding how living things work.
What does the NPR Planet Money episode data reveal about the average incomes of different majors?
-The data from the NPR Planet Money episode shows that the top 10 majors in terms of making money are mostly engineering, pharmacology or pharmacy, mathematics, computer science, and health and medical preparatory programs, which includes biology. However, the bottom ten are mostly degrees in art, social services, and early childhood education, which tend not to pay very well.
What happens to the average income of a biology major if one does not pursue graduate or professional school?
-The video explains that if a biology major does not go to graduate or professional school, the average income drops significantly, to the point of being similar to that of someone with an art degree.
What are the two psychological traits highlighted in the video that are associated with success in college?
-The two psychological traits emphasized in the video are having a growth mindset, which is the belief that intelligence can be improved through effort, and grit, which describes the ability to be resilient when faced with difficult challenges.
How does the concept of grit relate to long-term success in college?
-Grit is related to long-term success as it allows individuals to persevere towards achieving their long-term goals. It involves responding to failures and challenges with determination, self-reflection, and improvement, rather than giving up.
Why is it important for biology majors to maintain their mathematical and scientific thinking skills?
-Maintaining mathematical and scientific thinking skills is crucial for biology majors because these skills help with understanding and applying complex scientific concepts throughout their studies and future careers. It also aids in preparing for standardized tests and staying engaged with scientific advances.
What role does finding a good peer group and mentor play in a college student's success?
-A good peer group and mentor can significantly contribute to a student's success by providing academic support, encouragement, and specific advice. Surrounding oneself with serious and supportive peers, and developing a mentor-mentee relationship with a faculty member can lead to better academic performance and personal growth.
How can college students minimize personal distractions to focus on their studies?
-Students can minimize personal distractions by managing their time and setting boundaries with family and significant others, choosing non-dead-end jobs that do not interfere with their academic priorities, and maintaining their mental health through various support systems and resources provided by the university.
What resources does a university typically provide to support its students?
-Universities typically offer a range of resources including psychological services, academic advising, financial aid, scholarships, tutoring services, health services, work-study programs, and extracurricular activities. These resources aim to support students' academic success, mental health, and overall well-being.
What are the different types of faculty members that a student might encounter at a university?
-At a university, a student might encounter professors who teach and conduct research, lecturers who focus solely on teaching, adjunct instructors hired on a course-by-course basis, and teaching assistants who are usually graduate students teaching lab sections or other components of a course.
Why is it beneficial for students to apply for scholarships and awards, even if they feel their record isn't strong?
-Applying for scholarships and awards is beneficial because there are often more available than applicants. Even if a student's record isn't strong, they may still have a good chance of receiving an award. Additionally, having these awards on a resume can demonstrate to potential employers or postbac programs that the student is proactive and motivated, setting them apart from other applicants.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to Biology Major and Career Prospects

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on providing advice to biology majors, drawing from the speaker's extensive experience advising students at various universities. It highlights the benefits of a biology major, such as enjoyment and potential for high income, but also addresses the complexities involved. The speaker emphasizes the importance of graduate or professional school for enhancing career prospects and income levels post-graduation. The paragraph sets the stage for further discussion on strategies to excel in college and the biology major specifically.

05:00

🧠 Developing Mental Skills for College Success

This paragraph delves into the psychological traits that contribute to success in college, with a focus on having a growth mindset and grit. The growth mindset is the belief that intelligence can be developed through effort, while grit refers to resilience in the face of challenges. The speaker also touches on the importance of maintaining mathematical and scientific thinking skills, suggesting engaging with quantitative content in various online platforms to keep these skills sharp.

10:00

📚 Cultivating Academic and Social Support Systems

The speaker discusses the significance of finding a supportive peer group and mentorship during college. It's crucial to surround oneself with academically serious peers and to develop a mentor-mentee relationship with faculty members who can provide valuable guidance. The paragraph also addresses the impact of family, significant others, and part-time jobs on academic focus and suggests strategies for managing these personal distractions.

15:01

💡 Utilizing University Resources and Opportunities

This paragraph emphasizes the vast array of resources available at universities to support student success, such as psychological services, academic advising, financial aid, and extracurricular programs. The speaker encourages students to take advantage of these resources, including supplemental instruction, tutoring, and health services. The paragraph also highlights the importance of being proactive in seeking out scholarships and awards, as well as being aware of the different types of faculty members and their roles.

20:03

🎯 Strategic Course Selection and Professional Preparation

The speaker advises on the strategic selection of general education courses to align with post-bac programs or employers' preferences. It also discusses the value of obtaining additional qualifications and skills, such as certifications in first aid or phlebotomy, and the benefits of joining a research lab to stand out. The paragraph stresses the importance of being aware of specific course requirements for various professional schools and the necessity of early planning for future academic and career paths.

25:03

📈 Planning for the Future and Embracing Change

In this paragraph, the speaker encourages students to start planning for their future early on, to build relationships that can lead to strong letters of recommendation, and to be proactive in research and internships. The speaker also highlights the importance of being adaptable and open to changing goals as new interests and opportunities arise. The paragraph concludes with a reminder that the decisions made in college will shape one's future, and that having a flexible and open mindset can lead to discovering unexpected paths.

30:10

🎓 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

The speaker concludes the video with final words of encouragement, emphasizing that college is a new beginning and that past academic experiences do not define future success. The speaker reassures students that feeling like an imposter is common, but they should strive to find a balance between confidence and humility. The paragraph ends with a call to action for viewers to seek out information, share the video with others, and engage in the community by contributing their own advice and experiences.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Biology Major

The Biology Major is the central focus of the video, addressing students who have chosen this field of study. It is defined as an academic program that provides understanding of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. The video emphasizes the importance of this major not only for its intellectual merits but also for its potential to lead to high average incomes and lucrative careers. The speaker shares data showing that while biology ranks highly in terms of future earnings, it requires further education such as graduate or professional school to realize these benefits.

💡Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset is a psychological concept that refers to the belief that one's intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning from experiences. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset for success in a biology major and in college in general. It encourages students to view challenges and failures as opportunities for growth rather than as insurmountable obstacles.

💡Grit

Grit is defined as the ability to persevere and maintain effort toward achieving long-term goals despite obstacles, setbacks, and challenges. In the video, the speaker identifies grit as a crucial psychological trait for college students, especially those in demanding majors like biology. It is associated with resilience and a key factor in overcoming difficulties, both academically and in personal life.

💡Mental Skills

Mental Skills refer to the cognitive abilities and psychological traits that contribute to success in academic and professional pursuits. In the context of the video, the speaker highlights the significance of mental skills such as a growth mindset and grit for college students, particularly those majoring in biology. These skills are essential for navigating the challenges of college coursework and for achieving academic and career goals.

💡Mathematical and Scientific Thinking

Mathematical and Scientific Thinking involves the application of logical reasoning, quantitative analysis, and critical thinking to understand and solve problems in scientific contexts. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining and improving these skills throughout one's academic journey, even for students who may not particularly enjoy mathematics. It is a vital skill set for success in a biology major and beyond.

💡Peer Group and Mentor

A Peer Group and Mentor are essential components of a supportive academic environment. In the video, the speaker advises students to find a good peer group that takes academics seriously and to develop a mentor-mentee relationship with a faculty member. These relationships provide encouragement, guidance, and valuable insights into navigating academic and professional paths.

💡Personal Distractions

Personal Distractions refer to factors in one's personal life that can detract from academic focus and performance. The video discusses the need to minimize these distractions, such as family obligations, romantic relationships, and part-time jobs, to prioritize education and long-term career goals.

💡Mental Health

Mental Health encompasses an individual's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The video acknowledges the significant changes and challenges that students face when transitioning to college, which can impact their mental health. It emphasizes the importance of seeking support and resources to cope with stress, depression, and feelings of isolation.

💡University Resources

University Resources are the various services, programs, and facilities provided by colleges and universities to support their students' academic success, personal development, and well-being. The video highlights the importance of taking advantage of these resources, which include academic advising, financial aid, tutoring services, health services, and work-study programs.

💡Instructor Types

Instructor Types refer to the different categories of teaching staff that students may encounter in a university setting, including professors, lecturers, adjunct instructors, teaching assistants, and peer tutors. Each type has unique roles, responsibilities, and levels of involvement in students' academic and research activities.

💡Scholarships and Awards

Scholarships and Awards are financial incentives or recognitions given to students based on merit, need, or other criteria. The video encourages students to be proactive in seeking out these opportunities, as they can provide financial support and enhance a student's resume, demonstrating initiative and motivation.

Highlights

Biology is an enjoyable major with high average income potential.

Biology majors should consider graduate or professional school for higher income outcomes.

Psychological traits like growth mindset and grit are crucial for success in college.

Staying proficient in math is important for biology students.

Good peer groups and mentors can significantly aid in academic success.

Minimizing personal distractions, like family and relationships, is advised for college students.

Avoid dead-end jobs that might sabotage long-term career prospects.

Mental health support is available on campuses to help students adjust to college life.

Universities offer a variety of resources to help students succeed academically and professionally.

Understanding the differences between professors, lecturers, and adjunct instructors can benefit students.

Scholarships and awards are often easily attainable for proactive students.

Strategic course selection and additional qualifications can make biology graduates stand out.

Research experience is practically required for graduate and professional schools.

Standardized tests remain a significant part of graduate and professional school applications.

Starting early with career planning and building connections is essential for success.

Changing dreams and goals based on new interests and values is a part of personal growth.

Fear of the future can lead to bad decisions; instead, embrace new possibilities.

Transcripts

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