Christian Rosig | December 28th, 2024

For any first-year entering Vanderbilt on the pre-med track, the two-word phrase “good luck” becomes a familiar refrain. It’s widely understood across campus that pre-med students face many challenges during their four years. From navigating weed-out courses and securing research opportunities to gaining leadership roles and engaging in meaningful volunteer work, the demands are high.

But how do upperclassmen make it through? What strategies have they developed to manage the workload and reduce stress? To find out, I spoke with two experienced STEM students: juniors Danielle Bakker-Aponte and Jada Diamond. Bakker-Aponte is a Medicine, Health, and Society major and Diamond is a double major in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. They shared their insights on what has helped them succeed and stay grounded during their pre-med journey at Vanderbilt.

The Vanguard: What strategies have you found most helpful for managing the academic workload in the pre-med track at Vanderbilt?

Bakker-Aponte: I’ve found it helpful to detach from the toxic environment of comparing grades and only focusing on myself. I’ve also found it helpful to study with friends who are in the same boat.

Diamond: I find it most helpful to organize my schedule on a good calendar and color code the different categories. For example, I assign different colors to my classes, assessments, student organization events and meetings, and personal activities. Another thing that has been helpful is surrounding myself with other pre-med students who help keep me on my toes and encourage me to remain productive.

The Vanguard: How do you balance your time between studying, extracurricular activities, and self-care?

Bakker-Aponte: I have struggled with this a lot — I think STEM professors tend to expect a full-time commitment to their courses, when in reality all students are trying to balance multiple courses and commitments at once. I’ve found that building my own schedules that work for me instead of just following what everybody else is doing has helped.

The Vanguard: What resources or support systems at Vanderbilt (professors, peers, academic services) have been crucial to your success?

Diamond: The resources that have been crucial to my success are my peers, professors, campus resources, and student organizations. My peers constantly encourage me to stay motivated and are wonderful study partners when it comes to tackling big exams. They are also good company when I’m trying to destress and relax. My professors are outstanding outlets who always remain available to answer questions and help solidify my understanding of course concepts outside of the classroom. There is also a student organization on campus called Voices of Praise, which is an organization that hosts weekly Bible studies. This is always the highlight of my week and helps me start my week in an amazing mindset. Lastly, I receive counseling at the University Counseling Center (UCC) which effectively helps me manage my anxiety and stress.

The Vanguard: What advice would you give to incoming pre-med students about maintaining mental health and staying motivated?

Diamond: I would advise incoming pre-med students to focus on their own track. Everyone’s path looks different, and always comparing yourself to others does more harm than good. Just try your best, and as long as you put your best foot forward, your results will reflect your hard work.

Bakker-Aponte: Everybody is doubting themselves just as much as you, and they may portray it in ways that negatively affect you. Don’t pay attention to those around you, and focus on your own learning and study methods without comparing yourself to other students.

The Vanguard: Can you share a specific challenge you faced during your pre-med journey and how you overcame it?

Bakker-Aponte: Professors have often treated me differently due to my appearance and the fact that I am a woman. A large challenge has been navigating personal relationships with professors and proving that I am capable and intelligent. I do hope that in the future, professors will be more empathetic and work with students instead of creating a toxic “survival of the fittest” environment.

Diamond: A specific challenge I faced was general chemistry my first semester of college. College was a different ball game from high school, and it was hard navigating how to properly study and balance my social life. I struggled with general chemistry because I was not adequately exposed to it in high school. I was able to overcome this by attending office hours and forming study groups. It’s important to take control of your life and set goals for yourself that you aim to accomplish, and that is what I did with general chemistry.

Surviving the pre-med track at Vanderbilt is challenging, but students like Danielle Bakker-Aponte and Jada Diamond have proven that it’s possible with the right mindset and strategies. Both students highlight the importance of building your own support system, staying organized, and focusing on personal growth rather than constant comparison. For future pre-med students, their advice is simple: take care of yourself, find balance between academics and self-care, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. With determination and the right approach, navigating Vanderbilt’s demanding pre-med program becomes a journey of resilience and growth.