Introduction to Tony the Pre-Med
To start of, my name is Tony and I am a Microbiology major. I am taking my first microbiology class this semester and also studying for the MCAT so it is going to be stressful. However, I made some time for leisure activities so I think I can manage it. The best class I took might be this class because the set up is so different from the other classes. This class seems to focus more on creativity rather than grades which is fun and I can't wait to see how it goes.
I used to be a huge book nerd in middle school but now I never pick up a book unless I have to. My roommates and I share accounts so we have Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video. We never ran out of things to watch. It has been awhile since I have watch anything but my favorite shows of all time is Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn-Nine-Nine, and This Is Us. For movies, my favorite genres are horror, comedy, and Sci-Fi.
Music is huge in my life and every time I get in my car, I have to start my music first before I actually drive. I listen to a lot of artists but I think Frank Ocean, Clairo, The Neighborhood, and The Weeknd are my top three. I listen to everything but mostly alternative, indie, edm, and r&b. Sunflower by Harry Styles, Stargazing by The Neighborhood, and Save Your Tears by The Weeknd are the top three songs that I am listening to right now.
Short term goals are to get through this semester with good grades and get a good score on my MCAT. My long term goals are becoming a psychiatrist, get money, and traveling the world. Most importantly, I would also want to appreciate each moment one day at a time. Life is short and by focusing on just the future, there would be so many things I would miss on the way. After watching Soul on Disney+, my perspective on life changed completely.
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| My cousin's dog |
My favorite places that I have been to would be Carlsbad Cavern, Old Quebec City, and Chicago. The cavern is located deep in the desert in New Mexico. The feeling of walking down a cool and moist cave while being in a scorching hot cannot be beat. The cavern is beautiful and I do recommend everyone to visit this location at least once. Be sure to fill up the gas tank, however, because it is hard to find a gas station around. Old Quebec City is a small area in Quebec City that is one of the big tourist attraction in Canada. the French architecture and the culture made me feel like I was in a small town in France. Chicago is beautiful and I had to try the deep dish pizza when I was there. It was tasty and I wish to live in this city in the future.
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| Old Quebec City. Source: Wikimedia |
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| The Bean, Chicago. Source: Wikimedia |
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| Carlsbad Cavern. Source: Wikimedia |
I love boba, video games, and longboarding. I don't have much time this semester to do anything fun but I always make sure to make some time to do some fun activities. It is my "ritual" to drive to OKC once per week to get boba and then to Scissortail Park to longboard around. If anyone is on campus in the afternoon around sunset, you can catch me longboarding around. I also volunteer sometimes at Manos Juntas and OBI. Hope this semester is good for everyone.
As you've probably guessed, I am a huge booknerd too, Tony! When I was growing up, we only had a four TV channels, and no videos or DVDs, so it was books that offered that whole huge freedom of choice and addictive series to enjoy, etc. etc. And I'm still completely hooked on books... although I sure do watch a lot of TV series now too; even more than movies, I love the way a TV show can have a big story arc that lasts all season, with all kinds of twists and turns and surprises that a typical movie literally doesn't have time for. And I have been hearing so many good things about Soul; I am clearly going to have to watch that one! I just finished rewatching the Ken Burns documentary about Jazz which is AMAZING; highly highly highly recommended if you have not seen it: Jazz by Ken Burns. Sometimes it's hard to find time for fun during the school year (I get so frustrated at not having a lot of time just to READ), but music is so great; you can take even just a few minutes and listen to some soulful song, and the world feels like a better place. So, I will wish you good luck for the MCATs and also some fun this semester too! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Tony!
ReplyDeleteI am a Microbiology major as well. Good luck with studying for MCAT! I am Pre-PA so I don't know the struggle, but I do know I haven't seen a lot of my friends because they are always studying for it. I really like Brooklyn 99 as well and my favorite character is Captain Holt because it's Holt. Currently I've been watching WandaVision and if you get the chance you should too. Good luck and study hard!
Hey Tony,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the set up of this class, I like how we are earning credit simply for sharing our thoughts freely like this! My 5 year old niece made me watch Soul with her - I thought it would be like Trolls or Frozen, her other favorite movies. I certainly wasn't ready for the life-changing film you saw too.
Good luck this semester and with your career in medicine, I took Biomedical Engineering for two years at my high school's CATE center before deciding anything biology-related was not for me... But you've got this!
Hi Tony!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your cousin's dog is adorable.
I share that one of your favorite genres is horror. While I try to avoid anything gory or violent, I like to be scared or trying to solve a mystery. If you are into podcasts, I suggest Crime Junkie! It is great to pass time.
I have never heard of Old Quebec City, but I am definitely intrigued! I would love to visit there. I've always wanted to go to France, but that is a little hard to achieve... Canada may be more attainable!
Good luck on your MCAT and the rest of this semester!
Brooklin
Hi Tony! That's so cool that you're a Microbiology major--I'm a Biology major, so maybe there has been some overlap in our classes! I'm not pre-med, though, but I know several people who have had to go through that, so best of luck! I watched Soul over the break, and I can totally see how it might have changed your perspective on living in the moment. It's certainly the kind of movie that takes a while to process. I've never been to Quebec City (although it sounds really cool!), but I have been to Chicago before, and it's a bustling city! I love your weekly OKC ritual--I feel like all of us need some kind of way to unwind weekly if not daily.
ReplyDeleteHi Tony,
ReplyDeleteI am pre-med too, and plan to go into psychiatry. Due to Covid shenanigans I am taking a gap year to broaden my clinical experience first, but that is so neat to meet someone else who plans to go into psychiatry. In my hometown, no one even knows what a psychiatrist is. I say hometown, but it technically classifies as a village because the population is less than 1000. Have you watched Good Omens? It is a miniseries based on a book written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, and it is a fantasy comedy about an angel and a demon trying to stop the end of the world.
May the randomizer allow our paths to cross again,
-A.
Hi Tony, by the looks of all these introductions including yours I would say we have a lot of slackers in this class! I wish you well in your preparations for the MCAT as I know it is one of the most important things on your plate right now. Keep your head up and know many have done it before you and there is no reason you cannot do the same!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony!
ReplyDeleteI also love music, although my taste is extremely eclectic. I like to listen to soundtracks and themes when I am studying. I used to be a book nerd in middle school (and I am still one today!) as well. I also have Disney+, and I have been obsessivley binge watching old shows. I have become very invested in The Mandalorian. I have never seen Soul, although it is on my list. I will have to watch it!
Good luck on your MCAT,
Cady
Hi Tony! I honestly can completely relate to you with reading. Back in elementary and middle school, I used to read a book almost every day. Now, I don’t even know when the last time I read a book for fun was. I also spend a lot of my time listening to music but honestly can’t pick out my favorite artists because I listen to too many types of music. Anyways, good luck on your MCAT and the rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteAye Tone!
ReplyDeleteSorry I've just always been a Sopranos fan and if we met in person I would undoubtedly call you "big Tone" in my best Jersey accent lol. Nice intro post and I think we might click on some music! I'm an EDM fan too, although I've gone mainstream (RL, Diplo, Flume, San Holo are some of my favs) . I can relate on the studying for a big test this semester! I'm planning on taking the DAT in April so best of luck on that brother, and good luck the rest of the semester!
Hi, Tony! You sound like you have a lot going on this semester! I am a senior in the Social Work program and one thing they always teach us about is self-care. But, it sounds like you have a good self-care plan with your weekly trips to OKC! It's super important to keep it, because burnout sucks. I like to travel too and have just started traveling more the last few years. Carlsbad Caverns looks so cool! So does Chicago! I have only ever been to Chicago airport, but would love to visit someday! Anyway, hope you have a good semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony! Sounds like you are quite busy! First of all good luck with the MCAT! Second, I too love horror and sci-fi movies! I have never been to Chicago, but it is on my bucket list. Your cousin's dog is so precious! I am a big dog person, and actually have adopted 3 dogs! I wish you all the best of luck this semester and hope that you go on to do big things!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony! Wow, I am sure that studying for the MCAT and taking microbiology all in one semester is quite stressful. I wish you the best of luck this semester and hope that this class will not be as stressful as the others you may be taking. I also love that one of your favorite songs right now is by Harry Styles. I have been a fan of his ever since middle school and he was in a boy band. I hope that you accomplish all that you wish this semester and in the future!
ReplyDeleteHowdy Tony! First off, I'm really impressed by your choice of major. I've got a couple friends majoring in microbiology and it doesn't sound easy. The closest I've come to a microbiology class myself was "Plagues and Peoples" with Dr Hirschfeld which looks at microbiology from a public health/anthropology perspective (if you get a chance to take it I would definitely recommend it). You've also got a pretty good selection of favorite places, especially Carlsbad, I absolutely love that place. If you're ever out by Nashville, you should check out Cumberland Caverns, it's no Carlsbad, but it's certainly worth seeing (they somehow got a whole glass chandelier down into the caves!) Best of luck on your MCAT and with the rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are busy but managing to take some time for yourself which is great! I have a close friend who is majoring in microbiology and I hear it is rough. I am also a fan of horror and sci-fi. My mom is from Chicago but I have only been once when I was six. I hope to travel to Canada someday and do some sightseeing. Best of luck on taking the MCAT!
Hey Tony!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand having a busy semester but also wanting some leisure. I am prepping to take the Optometry Admissions Test so I feel your pain as you prepare for the MCAT. You'll do great though I know your preparation will pay off. You have a great taste in music and Chicago is one of my favorite places too, so that's cool that we have that in common! Best of luck this semester!
Hi Tony!
ReplyDeleteTaking microbiology while studying for your MCAT seems like a rough deal, good luck in handling both! I'm not planning to take my MCAT till the end of summer, since my course load this semester would've made it unbearable. I haven't seen Soul yet, but I've heard tons of good reviews on the movie. I hope to find some time to watch it soon!
Hi, Tony. I'm glad you have such a positive mindset about a stressful semester. I knew someone who had the same attitude, and they ended up doing really well. I don't think I've ever tried boba tea, but I want to. I like Boba Fett, so I can't imagine why I wouldn't like the tea version. I hope you get to enjoy a slower-paced life before you get into medical school. Or whatever the psychiatry version is. Good luck on everything!
ReplyDeleteTony,
ReplyDeleteI love music too! Although, I will listen to almost any kind of music. A lot of the times, I will just put on the radio or just browse through the US Top 100 since I don't have a preference. I also am studying for the MCAT this semester. It has been a ton of work and pretty stressful, so I can relate to you on that note. I hope your studying and semester are going well! Nice to meet you!!