I hate to put people in a group based on stereotypes. Really, I do. I fought it for a long time. But I realized after meeting pre-med after pre-med that the culture of pre-med life makes it impossible to survive unless you’re a certain personality type.

I know I’ll make some people angry out there, but I’ve noticed a few things about the many pre-meds I’ve come across in my time at college. This surely isn’t true of every doctor wannabe out there, but it is a lifestyle and mindset that ensares many a good student.

1. A pre-med is always the one asking “Will this be on the test?” Yup, the pre-med is always the really annoying kid in a class, ignoring the intellectual meat of any discussion. Pre-meds are fixated on performing well by the numbers, of doing well on the test and getting the A, regardless of what they get out of the course. A pre-med’s moves are often calculated just to get the grade rather than stimulate discussion.

2. A pre-med can’t stop talking about grades. “What did you get on the exam?” “What do you think the curve will be like?” “Man, I was studying ALL last night.” “I’ve got to get an A in this course if I want to go to so-and-so med school.” It can rapidly get exhausting to chat with a pre-med. They can’t stop talking about doing well on exams and actually getting into med school — their singular obsession. They don’t want to talk about literature, art, or culture. They only want to talk about themselves and that big exam coming up. Read More »

College overall is a great time and once you’re done (take it from me), you will miss it terribly. The fact that you have all of your friends around you at all times, endless social opportunities, and things like paying rent or worrying about health insurance are not even on your radar yet add to the carefree fun.

That being said, life still just plain sucks sometimes. Whether you’re totally stressed about an upcoming presentation, feel like you haven’t slept in weeks cramming for finals, or are going through a painful breakup with the boy who lives down the hall, it’s inevitable that the blues will creep up on you at some point.

And according to a recent wave of scientists, you should not treat sadness like a horrible disease that needs to be taken care of immediately.

Eric Wilson, author of the new book, Against Happiness, argues that our culture has a fixation on happiness, and fosters “a craven disregard for the value of sadness” and “its integral place in the great rhythm of the cosmos.”

Okay, so the whole “rhythm of the cosmos” thing sounds a little odd, but hear me out.

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“It’s hard to wrap my head around,” says Ellen Page of her recent Best Actress Oscar nomination for “Juno.”

Hard to wrap her head around, indeed, but not so hard for those of us who have seen the film. I’d give Page the award in a heartbeat, plus, it’s so refreshing for me to see someone who is not either a) over the age of 60 or b) oozing blonde hair and tan lotion up for the honor.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that she’s 20 years old? While the rest of us 20-year-olds are cramming for exams and floundering on our cramped dorm beds, Ellen Page is searching for a gown to wear to the Oscars, where she just might become the youngest recipient ever of the Best Actress award.

Marlee Matlin, with a win at the age of 21, currently holds that honor for her 1986 win in “Children of a Lesser God.” And Keisha Castle-Hughes is the youngest-ever nominee, at the age of 13 for “Whale Rider” in 2003.

With a February 21st birthday, Page will be three days into the age of 21 (her golden birthday!) on Oscar night. Though she says she isn’t a big drinker, I guess we’ll find out how true that is if she bags the award.

Listening to her interviews, Page sounds excited about the nomination, but not psyched. I’m wagering she doesn’t think she’ll win–and given the miserly attitude of the nomination committee, she’s probably right.

But what do CC readers think?

Could she really take the little golden statue home?

It’s that time of year again.

Actually, who are we kidding? It’s always that time of year. When is there a time when we don’t wish that our jeans were a little looser, our abs were a little tighter, and that we could resist the temptation of that evil bag of chocolate chip cookies lurking in the kitchen (that always seems to magically disappears within an hour while cramming for finals)

You and I both know that stress = Get me some good food now por favor. Add that with the festive holiday treats from gingerbread lattes to potato latkes, It’s no wonder the average American gains 7-12 lbs during the holiday season.

But, winter break is around the corner and while shoveling down yummy treats may help us cope with the fact we have to learn a whole semesters worth of econ in three days, come the end of finals, we are going to feel (and look) like a big ball of grossness. Sure, Santa’s belly full of jelly is cute and cuddle-y on an old guy in a plush-velvet, red jumpsuit- but I’m thinking not-so-much my look. Especially when i’ll be spending some quality time post-finals on the beach…

Whether you want to drop a few dress sizes or just maintain your weight, foodfit.com gives us some tried and true tips from weight loss specialists to help us avoid those pounds that just seem to sneak up on us.

Remember: Each pound of weight lost requires that you either consume 3500 fewer calories or burn them off with exercise (and let us not forget, one shot = 100 calories. And really- who takes just one?)

1. Figure out what 1,500 calories looks like. If you’re trying to lose weight on a 1,500 calorie meal plan, you need to maintain a healthy mix of those calories - at least five servings of fruits and vegetables; six of whole grain breads, rice, crackers and other grains; two of protein foods; and three of nonfat dairy products. Learn about serving sizes: 3 ounces of lean meat, fish or poultry (the size of a deck of cards) is one serving. One slice of bread is one serving, while a large bagel may equal almost five! Read More »

We have all been there at one time or another- staring mindlessly at that long list of questions, still warm from the xerox machine, clueless and stupified. Am-i-right???

“I mean, I wanted to study, really, but there was this party, and there was this guy, and one thing led to another and here I sit- I am totally screwed.”

Well don’t beat yourself up too bad. You are not alone. Scribd.com has put together a collection of exam answers from students just like yourself, that for one reason or another, just didn’t get around to studying. Take a look, this will make you feel better.