The science of senioritis: lost in space

The word senioritis sounds like a disease, something you catch. Something you would study in a science lab, yes? That’s why I put my science courses off until my senior year.

Actually, that’s not true. I intended to take biology at ETSU this summer. That didn’t work because I had five jobs including my internship at the Johnson City Press. Well, that and the class would have cost $2,000. So I’ve had to fulfill my requirements here at Milligan during my senior year. While my friends are taking folk dancing and skiing, I’m dissecting a pig. Great.

You know, the beauty of a liberal arts college is that you get to dabble in all areas and see what you like. You have to try psychology, ethnic studies, math courses and sciences. Ohh, and let’s not forget good ole’ Humanities. Once you choose the courses and major you like, you also realize what you do not like or are simply not good at. This is the case with me and biology. We are not friends; we don’t get along.

I had Advanced Placement Biology in high school and did pretty well with it. Not well enough to pass the AP exam, but I got through it. I figured that I had a good shot at remembering at least some of the information I learned four years ago. I figured wrong.

One of the only things I remembered from that course was the Kingdom Protista. I know what a Protozoan looks like on a sheet of paper. That, and I can identify the organelles of a cell. Yep, that basically sums up all I remembered. Terrific.

The lecture part of biology is interesting for a senior. No offense to you clever people who are taking the course in your first two years like everyone should, but it’s tricky to sit in between two freshmen after sitting in 400 level courses with other seniors. And to make it worse, you guys had biology within the last two years. That’s slightly more favorable than my four years displaced from any science class.

Labs are worse. You are required to dissect a pig. Their organs are basically in the same place as human organs, which is interesting. But I’m squeamish. I mean, while my lab partner did all of the work on our pig, I ran out of the room and puked. Not cool.

That’s okay. I scathed by in biology with a B- that I was proud of. My parents weren’t as proud, but they didn’t puke over a pig, so it’s okay.

Now I’m in Earth and Space. I figured, hey, I like planets, telescopes and galaxy talk. I was an avid Star Trek: The Next Generation fan for years. This should be fun. I underestimated the power of physics in the class. I was never good at physics! I like stars, not vectors! What a misleading title for a class! What have I gotten myself into?

Luckily I have some patient classmates who are kind enough to tutor me in Earth and Space. It’s difficult for me to do well in my communications classes then need so much help in science. I’m learning telescopes, physics and humility all at once. Who knew being a senior could be so humbling?
 

What’s really humbling is walking into the wrong science class. Hyder is set up as a labyrinth. It’s one big circle, and the rooms connect to each other. Actually, I can liken it to Roan Street. Almost every road in Johnson City is called Roan Street, while only one of them is actually Roan. If you find out which one it is, will you please fill me in? Even after four years here, I’m in the dark. Thanks.
 

Back to Hyder, I get lost in there every time I enter. I have no idea how to get to my lab. And the worst part is, there are plenty of science majors who do know their way around. I’m too embarrassed to ask for directions, so I usually back out of the room and scurry away. I’m pathetic.
 

Basically, I urge and encourage you to take your science credits as soon as possible. Like next semester, if you haven’t done it yet. I wish I had taken mine during my freshman year, when I actually remembered some biology and physics. In the meantime, I’m fighting my way towards graduation. Three months of senioritis, my friends, three months.