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‘GenChem’

Reflections on My First College Exam

Jan. 17, 2019—The college application process is stressful (that’s pretty much an accepted fact). The one aspect of college admissions that stressed me out especially was testing. In the months that I carefully and meticulously planned out my application, wrote out essays, sought out recommenders, and met with high school advisors, the idea of having to take...

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SAQ: Should I take GenChem for fun?

Jun. 4, 2017—This is part of a series of me answering emailed questions! So email me, friends! Sophia.druffner@vanderbilt.edu

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Literally Everything about Academics (Or, How to Succeed at General Chemistry)

May. 29, 2017—Being real about grades, those people with the detailed excel spreadsheets, The Upperclassmen, and of course, General Chemistry. What would be a post without it?

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My (Real) Vanderbilt Experience: It’s a Success (Sort of)

Mar. 7, 2016—It’s 2:00 AM and I’m at Stevenson Library. On my right are five research papers, newly printed and stapled. On my left is my planner, covered in writing. My head’s buzzing with all the stuff I have to do and I’m trying to keep everything under control. And one thought above all: College is so much harder than I thought it was.

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The Final Final: Finals Week at Vandy!!!

Dec. 22, 2015—During a stay at Washington University at St. Louis for Multicultural Celebration Weekend, I stayed with six sophomores. As I walked around the dorm, one of them told me that her room reflected the state of her mind. During Finals week, she told me, she couldn’t even see her bed under all the clothes, papers, and books. Horrified, I swore that this would never be me.

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Chem Lab: One of the Best Parts of Being Pre-Med!!!

Nov. 26, 2015—CHEM LAB IS SO MUCH FUN. There’s something exciting about making your own green crystals, extracting iron from cereal, or measuring the ascorbic acid in orange juice. When I drew out the magnetic stirrer from the cereal extraction today, actual iron had accumulated on the sides of the magnetic stirrer. I love those moments when chemistry becomes so real to me

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Random Things I’m Learning at Vandy: Almost-Thanksgiving Edition

Nov. 21, 2015—Sperries, squirrels, and The Most Important Four Questions of the First Four Weeks.

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