Making a significant academic shift can be both daunting and exhilarating. For me, the journey from studying Biomedical Science to Human Biology was precisely that - a mixture of fear, uncertainty, and ultimately, satisfaction. I was unsure whether I was doing the right thing or not. This transition marked a pivotal point in my educational journey, shaping my perspective and aligning my studies with my passions. Now, I am glad that I made the transition.

My initial choice

When I initially chose to study Biomedical Science, it seemed like the perfect fit. The field promised a wealth of knowledge about the complexities of the human body and the mechanisms of disease, areas I thought I found fascinating from school. The allure of contributing to medical advancements and the potential career opportunities further convinced me that Biomedical Science was the right choice.

Take a tour of the Queen's Medical Biology Centre!

However, as my first year progressed, the reality of my coursework began to set in. Lab work was not my forte and I always longed to learn more about the human body. I found myself struggling to maintain interest in many of the modules, which therefore meant my interest in studying decreased.

While some topics were intriguing, a huge portion of the curriculum felt disconnected from my interests and left me feeling unexcited and stressed out. I had anticipated an exciting dive into subjects that would keep me engaged and motivated, but instead, I felt a growing sense of discontent. In first year I found this hard to comprehend, as dealing with so many other changes to my life was difficult on top of this.

Switching to Human Biology

Amidst this academic struggle, there was a silver lining. I had shared a common first year with human biology students, some of them being my friends. We were made aware that we could switch to the course in second year if we wanted. It was something I knew, but never considered at first. The course explored the intricacies of human physiology, anatomy, and had options for a choice module.

Find out more about Sarah's course

Unlike the broader scope of Biomedical Science, which often delved into molecular and cellular processes in exhaustive detail, Human Biology offered a more focused and holistic understanding of the human body, which is what I was interested in from the very start.

"This transition marked a pivotal point in my educational journey, shaping my perspective and aligning my studies with my passions."

When I finally considered switching courses, I realised Human Biology aligned much more closely with my interests and academic strengths. The more I learned, the clearer it became that my passion lay in understanding the human body rather than the microscopic details of cellular processes.

The right decision

Despite my growing disinterest in Biomedical Science, the decision to switch to Human Biology was not easy. I was scared. Fear of making the wrong decision was a strong emotion. Would this move derail my academic progress? Was I simply running away from the challenges of Biomedical Science?

Find out more about Human Biology at Queen's

After much contemplation and numerous discussions with academic advisors, family, and friends, I decided to take the leap. I switched to Human Biology, driven by the hope that aligning my studies with my true interests would reignite my passion for learning and lead to a more fulfilling academic experience.

Reflecting on my academic year now, I can confidently say that switching to Human Biology was the right decision. Although Human Biology is still by no means easy, I found the content more interesting which made it easier for me to study this year. I still don't know what I want to do in the end, but I don't get too stressed about it!

I would recommend studying something you love, instead of looking at the end goal. If you feel like it isn't a burden to work or study and you enjoy your course, that's a win! Life is too short to be unhappy even if it means being successful in the end, the journey there is just as important!

Find out more

Study Human Biology at Queen's

Information on changing courses

ROI students: Admissions Guide

More blogs from ROI students

Sarah Geraghty Human Biology | Undergraduate Student | Galway, Ireland Hi! I’m Sarah and I’m from Galway. I’m in my second year of Human Biology. I love studying in Belfast, but it took me a while to settle in! I am outgoing and am always up for getting involved in anything!