Marconis

For my bio class, we had to analyze a scientific article on an ant species in the Amazonian rain forest that poisons non-host plants. We were to follow a guideline in this mini book that we got, and the last question bothers me. To me, it is worded oddly. Maybe you could help? The main point(s) of view presented in this scientific article is (are)_____ Then under it it says, (The main question you are trying to answer here is: What is the author looking at, and how is s/he seeing it?) So, I took it quite literally, I guess, and responded the following:The main point of view presented in the scientific article is that the author is looking at a rather puzzling occurrence and relating logical factors, such as the fact that the ants in the environment contain poison and the surrounding plants are killed, and making a conclusion based on the findings. To me, it's a pretty crappy answer. Thanks in advance.

I am a freshman studying biology, and I have a huge fear of failure and inadequacy within science studies in general. I go on science forums (such as this) and read science articles and stuff every now and then to get a taste of what it is like to be at the end of your undergrad studies and ready to move on to the big world, be it a job or graduate school. All of these people (you guys included), only a few years older than me, speak like they are geniuses, could run a lab with one eye open, know everything about anything within the field, etc. etc. When people are talking about science on campus, or say they are a some sort of a science major, I automatically assume they are so much more intelligent than I am. If I hear something cool, I think, "Why the hell don't I know about that?" I just can't even picture myself being able to speak intelligently on a scientific manner or something like that. I know it's sad to think that way, but it really puts me down and I hate it. For some reason I have this notion that I am unable to learn to the best of my ability. I think it has to do with the fact that I am not naturally good at math/science and was never a "top" student. I got a 5 on AP Biology...yay, so what? Also, I am very specific in what I like, and that of course is biology. I find chem interesting, but rather difficult, and I hate math but am working my ass off for it. Physics? Bleh, not for me. I feel this narrow-mindedness is going to put a damper on being a "scientific thinker". I really love science, am willing to work like hell to become knowledgeable, but I don't know if I am capable. I don't get what I am trying to say here,really, I just needed to vent. I made a very similar post about this a year ago, but since I am in college now it is all very real.

For the first time in AP Bio, I have hit a massive road block that I just cannot step over. We are up to Genetics (chapter 14 in Campbell/Reece) and I do not get it one bit. I cannot do probability for the life of me, and I am just stressing so much. The textbook didn't teach me anything, along with my teacher who gives bad lectures. Are there any online resources that greatly outline the basics of Genetics (just Mendel and the gene idea). I would love a bunch of visuals that show all the crosses and everything. Thank you so much.

I am a senior in high school, and I have a gigantic interest in everything associated with biology. There really is nothing that interests me more than the study of life. However, I really am not that knowledgeable on the subject. Compared to other biology students, I probably have no more than basic knowledge. This is where my worry comes in....Is it really the choice for me in college? I am trying my best to learn more, and I have started taking an AP course this year. But everything about me seems to contradict with my interests. Despite the interest, my brain doesn't seem to be able to think like a "science" student, which is very depressing. I have taken various career tests, and a lot of them scream fields in science. When I take personality and thinking tests though, they say otherwise. When it tells you at the end which careers are good for the type of personality or whatever, anything related to science, mathematics, engineering or anything like that rarely goes with my personality and thinking style.This is probably irrelevant, but just throwing it out there. So, I am highly discouraged. I feel like I am fighting my brain. I don't get how I can be SO interested in something, yet not exhibit vast knowledge on the subject. What if I am not really interested in it, and it is just a mirage of some sort that my mind is creating? What if it's something I wish I could be and the interest is artificial? When you major in something in college, are you expected to know everything off the bat, or do you re-learn things that you learned in high school? I am so overwhelmed with things right now. I am already struggling in my AP bio class. We are using the Campbell book, and chapters 4-5 are about organic/biochem. I have always had trouble with understanding it, even when I took chemistry last year (which I despised). Do you have to take organic chem when you major in bio? I am also abysmal at math, by the way. I should note that this started to hit me harder once I read the question for an essay for a college I was applying to. It was a 250 word or more statement of why I was interested in the major, which asked me to state the talents and values that make me qualified for the major. Made me realize I have no talents really relating to science in general, just an interest.

So, am I going to have a lot of trouble down the road with Biology then if I am not good at math? It's gonna be disheartening to have to switch majors because the math halts my progress.

Thanks a lot, made me feel better.

I am planning on majoring in Biology or Microbiology when I attend college. I am curious as to how difficult and what kind of math is involved with it? I am starting to worry, because I love science but am not very good at math . Can you not have one without the other? Are there any other majors out there that are kind of similar to biology but less math intensive?

I go to Half Hollow Hills High School East. Do you go to Stony Brook or something?

This week, I received invitations from both the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, and the National Student Leadership Conference. They tell me that I was nominated because of my academic excellence , a teacher or guidance counselor nominated me, and found me through the College Board. Academic excellence? I only have a 3.3 GPA... Has anyone on here ever been invited to these things? I considering doing one of them, not totally positive.

My brothers grades are better, but only by like .2 (I have a 3.5 GPA, he has around 3.7). He also competed in our states Ocean Sciences Bowl.

Thanks all for your replies. I appreciate it, it made me feel more at ease. Another thing...upon registering for the SAT's, my twin brother and I have received emails and letters from various colleges. As for letters, my brother has received 42, and I have only gotten 12. Is that saying something?

I want to major in biology when I go to college in a year and a half (I am a junior in high school right now). Are they going to think less of me for admissions when they see that I have not participated in any science fairs or anything. I feel like they'll be like, "This kid wants to major in a science field and he's done zero science clubs or competitions in high school, ha!" My only plus would be I am taking AP Biology next year along with physics, and finishing up chemistry this year. Oh and I cut down an invasive tree species in Wales back in 05 while on People to People...My whole view on this may be insanely irrational...I made a similar thread about a month ago on here but that was about student research.

Hey everyone, thanks for the kind words. "No matter how smart a lot of those other kids are, I bet most of them won't have research experience, so that's something to look into." Hopefully, I will be able to excel in the club next year that I spoke about in my original post. You've been an encouragement to me, and made me realize it can be done . Nice to know someone that was in a similar situation.

Hello everyone. My name is Nick and I am currently a Junior in high school. Since about 6th grade, I have always had a strong interest in the study of medicine, mainly diseases. I didn't start to really think about making a career out of it until mid-last year. In my freshman year of high school, I did pretty poorly in my earth science class. Last year, I did excellent in my biology class (Final grade of 93) but then got a low grade of an 83 on the regents exam. I am currently taking chemistry, and have an average of around a 90 (this is before midterms though). That's just a little background. What I am really getting at, is that I would really like to study medical research in college, although I am still unsure of what specific field. My main concern is that I am not really smart enough to succeed in it. I have absolutely no background in research, as I do not qualify for any of the research classes in my school since you had to take them since 9th grade. However, next year I am going to join my schools science explorers club, in which the student does independent research on their topic of choice, and eventually will compete in competitions. My school is extremely competitive, and there are many students who greatly excel at science and are much smarter in the subject than I am. It's just a bummer, because I have such an interest in medical science and I feel like I am below average and will have a hard time succeeding at it. I will hopefully be taking AP Bio next year so I can get an idea of college work. This might seem kinda confusing, and maybe the wrong place to vent, but I am just a little overwhelmed about it all and was wondering if anyone had any pointers and what not. Thank you.