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Is bio for me? - (Nov/14/2008 )

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Hi there,

Sooo I've just had my last exam of my undergrad (hopefully I passed everthing)... but am now confused as to what the next step is...Since first year I've been only getting in the B's and C range (with 1 fail and prob one for this semester but lets not think the worst tongue.gif ) but as much as I am interested in what I am studying (biomedical science-with a interest in neurobiology/reproductive science) I am thinking is this the way to go...B's and C's and studying so hard and not getting anything good...soo my question is going onto posgrad requires one to belong to someones lab and I highly doubt anyone would want me in their lab right when you have so many other students doing well?..So I'm just wondering what is your opinion is biology a good area to get into if you aren't doing well...I can do one year of PostGradDip which bascially consists of theory which leads onto Masters but thats when it will be even harder in terms of finding a lab that will accept me sad.gif......theres no point doing another year for the sake of it if its never gonna lead anywhere so any ideas on this? Do you know of any people who get really average marks and go onto do well?

Thanks,
b_06er

-biology_06er-

QUOTE (biology_06er @ Nov 14 2008, 07:06 PM)
Hi there,

Sooo I've just had my last exam of my undergrad (hopefully I passed everthing)... but am now confused as to what the next step is...Since first year I've been only getting in the B's and C range (with 1 fail and prob one for this semester but lets not think the worst tongue.gif ) but as much as I am interested in what I am studying (biomedical science-with a interest in neurobiology/reproductive science) I am thinking is this the way to go...B's and C's and studying so hard and not getting anything good...soo my question is going onto posgrad requires one to belong to someones lab and I highly doubt anyone would want me in their lab right when you have so many other students doing well?..So I'm just wondering what is your opinion is biology a good area to get into if you aren't doing well...I can do one year of PostGradDip which bascially consists of theory which leads onto Masters but thats when it will be even harder in terms of finding a lab that will accept me sad.gif......theres no point doing another year for the sake of it if its never gonna lead anywhere so any ideas on this? Do you know of any people who get really average marks and go onto do well?

Thanks,
b_06er

Hi biology_06er,

How dare you call yourself that name and yet doubt if it is for you? wink.gif . Perhaps you should apply the same philosophy of not thinking the worst when you start formulating your next move. I think what is more important is to know the grade point requirement of the institution you want to apply to...so if you don't make the cut, then all these plotting and planning are really an exercise on futility.

But otoh, even with the C's and 1 F (and let's not think the worst about the other F), you could still squeeze through, then you have to ask yourself if postgrad study is what you wanna do and if biology is the area you're really interested in and unfortunately, only YOU can answer this. So if you're really, really motivated to be a biology postgrad student then you shld go for it.....you just have to convince a professor that you're so much more than your average marks...that would be your challenge. Besides, it takes more than marks to mark you as a good or bad student but it sure would be nice to have only A's and B's biggrin.gif ...goodluck...

casandra

-casandra-

Greetings biology_06er,

I dare say that exams are part of memory. I don't have good memories. But if the understanding is there, then you'd do just fine. Your story reminds me of this person, Dr A., now an authority in Fish Biology here. In his own words, he's the average guy and no where near the Dean's list in every exam. All he says is interest in his work.

I'm not sure about the system in other places but in my department, it's all research and no exams so one need not worry about exams.

My personal opinion: I got a C+ for my Finals (Environmental Microb) wink.gif tongue.gif (others are okay but exam is still very much memories. Some can't reason but still do well thanks to past year questions).

But I don't have much problems in my work at this level except for the negative thoughts every now and then nagging me about the topic of my research.

You'd do fine.

Hi casandra.

-Dreamchaser-

Most programs are research oriented and not really full of classes and exams (though you have to pass a few classes first). Actually, if you are an average student in terms of exam marks, I strongly discourage you to enroll class-based programs. Go for your strengths. You seem to love biology. That's a good motivation for a good researcher.

Exam marks means so little about a person's potentials, however, is your presentation card after graduation (yes, I know that sucks). But still if you have other things besides your marks you may be an interesting candidate for a lab. For example, experience. You could try to get a job as lab technician or something like that (either academics or industry) and that experience may be useful by the time you apply to grad school. Or enroll in summer research programs (if available in your country).

Good luck!

-bacterie-

QUOTE (Dreamchaser @ Nov 15 2008, 04:27 AM)
Greetings biology_06er,

I dare say that exams are part of memory. I don't have good memories. But if the understanding is there, then you'd do just fine. Your story reminds me of this person, Dr A., now an authority in Fish Biology here. In his own words, he's the average guy and no where near the Dean's list in every exam. All he says is interest in his work.

I'm not sure about the system in other places but in my department, it's all research and no exams so one need not worry about exams.

My personal opinion: I got a C+ for my Finals (Environmental Microb) wink.gif tongue.gif (others are okay but exam is still very much memories. Some can't reason but still do well thanks to past year questions).

But I don't have much problems in my work at this level except for the negative thoughts every now and then nagging me about the topic of my research.

You'd do fine.

Hi casandra.

Hi Dreamchaser,

What?? A C+ in Env Microb....shame on you... dry.gif ....it's so funny how exams and courses are always just a vague part of our ever progressively failing memory but we'd always remember our C's and F's laugh.gif so that should count for something and unless we can devise a better way for evaluating a student's performance, marks will always be a basis (esp during the initial phase when applying) but it shouldn't be the only one.

OTOH, if, no matter how hard one tries and all s/he gets is just plain average grades, then perhaps they might wanna consider this an indication that their strength, as bacterie puts it, lies somewhere else. But imho, if one is driven, properly motivated, persevering and passionate about science (or biology), even with mediocre marks, it evens out in the end.

Are you sure your not-so-good memory only remembers a C and didn't bury all your F's? biggrin.gif

casandra

-casandra-

Do you have any laboratory experience?

-Minnie Mouse-

Hye guys,

Thanks for your replies smile.gif

minnie mouse: no I don't..came from High School straight to uni..

with regard to getting a summer research program (or studentships) we do have them but then those people are purely based on marks (well i guess an interview counts but to an interview you have to have good marks)..but I still have a few months b4 uni starts up again so will wait till my marks come out and decide I guess...I was indeed thinking of getting a job to get some experience and then go back but then I thought whats the point if once a employer looks at my marks I would be back to square one...arrrrg!! I guess I could just do my postgraddip and bc its only a year will really know if thats what i want in terms of moving onto further study and if I decide to that its not for me well then I guess I may have to look elsewhere...anyways appreciate yr advice..keep it coming tongue.gif

-biology_06er-

QUOTE (biology_06er @ Nov 15 2008, 09:33 PM)
Hye guys,

Thanks for your replies smile.gif

minnie mouse: no I don't..came from High School straight to uni..

with regard to getting a summer research program (or studentships) we do have them but then those people are purely based on marks (well i guess an interview counts but to an interview you have to have good marks)..but I still have a few months b4 uni starts up again so will wait till my marks come out and decide I guess...I was indeed thinking of getting a job to get some experience and then go back but then I thought whats the point if once a employer looks at my marks I would be back to square one...arrrrg!! I guess I could just do my postgraddip and bc its only a year will really know if thats what i want in terms of moving onto further study and if I decide to that its not for me well then I guess I may have to look elsewhere...anyways appreciate yr advice..keep it coming tongue.gif


In most cases (actually I would say "never" but who knows...) employers don't request your grades (probably if applying to academic based jobs they might do, but most of the cases and specially for industry, they don't. And usually, as undergrad, your job duties at a lab may be fairly simple. Remember you get an interview for a job (not academics) with a CV, not with your transcripts.

During interview you must show to everyone that you are a good worker and a smart person. So don't think about your grades (don't even mention it unless somebody ask). And be informed. VERY informed about the company's works and your position.

Another option: voluntary work at any lab in your university. Most PIs LOVE people working for free. Be sure to let them know you are good.

Last but not least: Make sure that low grades are not a reflection of low knowledge. Read and learn by yourself papers and text books about things that may be useful in your main area.

Good luck!

PD: I think that success is not necessarily derived from A's in your transcript. It takes a lot more, like passion for what you do, tenacity, skills and tons of determination.

-bacterie-

I don't think that grades are a good judgement on what you are capable of doing or if you will be good in something. In fact, I hate grades mostly because I always had mediocre grades and it was frustrating because they didn't reflect what I actually knew or could do. I have an analogy: You can give somebody a book on "How to ride a bike" and that person gets an A in the exam, but it doesn't mean that that person actually can ride a bike!

My point is that theory (and grades) is not everything, in fact, reality can be different. I believe if you love your work or what you do then you can be good in it (no matter what your grades say). It's not always fun, just don't give up.

Cheers!

-Wolverena-

I couldn't agree more.

-perlmunky-

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