One of my friends recently got in touch with me to ask an urgent question:  how do I motivate myself to study molecular biology?  A fellow pre-medical student, my friend is passionate about medicine because of the potential personal impact she’ll be able to make … but significantly less enthusiastic about learning the minute details of RNA synthesis.

As I replied, I recognized what has worked for me, when my mind – which is more inclined towards creative brainstorming, writing, and filmmaking – is forced to endure hours of seemingly mundane memorization:  I always try focus on why I’m studying it.  In my friend’s case, she is passionate about treating patients, with an eye on working in underserved communities.  Thus, I encouraged her to let her passion for helping those in need carry her through the process of learning molecular mechanisms. 

Sometimes, this can be difficult if one feels far removed from the applications of their studies.  If this is the case for you, I would recommend seeking out opportunities to gain practical experience – whether volunteering in a hospital, interning at a news station or taking time to write poetry.  These hands-on experiences reignite your passions and provide jet fuel when you feels bogged down by the occasional drudgery of coursework.