Why I Chose Ophthalmology

This video is all about residency and why I chose to specialize in ophthalmology. I tell you what kinds of things to think about when choosing a medical specialty, what I wanted in a specialty, and why I liked ophthalmology. I also give you a run down of residency so far! Hope you enjoy!!
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More info at AndreaTooley.com
Instagram: / adoctorinthehouse

[@karenc.8622]

Thanks for sharing. You are so nice and truly an inspiration. I am 43 years old and guess what I'm doing in two days? I'm taking the MCAT. Isn't that wild? I haven't given up on the dream and people like you just affirm my decision so thank you so much for making this channel and sharing your personal experiences. I wish you the best of luck in all you do. Please send some good vibes, prayers or whatever my way for the MCAT, I need it! LOL

[@mimik9948]

It's 7 months after! Did u get into medschool?!

[@user-fi3mh6bg5p]

probably not

[@candy_apple8931]

K Carter congrats !! ^.^

[@munmunsha1]

douchebag!

[@Stoneface_]

K Carter did you get accepted

[@ThaliaRam]

I've always been interested in being an internist, I'm just not sure what sub-specialty I'm most interested in, but I've always had a particular interest in Infectious Disease so I was really happy when you uploaded the interview with Dr Tosh. Thank you so much for uploading all these helpful videos, I hope that someday I can be a doctor as generous and caring as you are :)

[@isaacb182]

Thanks for sharing! This is the most helpful take I've seen on Optho so far

[@deekshathoratDOCYOU]

So beautifully put! I am taking up ophthalmology and this got me so excited for my journey ahead. Thanks!🤩

[@thekcski]

I love your passion when talking about your specialty. Thank you for all your videos, truly inspiring! :)

[@laura_medlife7311]

You're such an inspiration to all of us medical students❤ Thank you!

[@jillcampbell8410]

I think you're just amazing! Total doctor, fashion (and life) goals right here!

[@triciatakanawa]

Andrea, I'm not sure if you know just how helpful your videos are... Thank you for making them!

[@jasonlawrence6927]

This is great! Thank you for sharing! I am a pre-dental student and am applying (have applied) to dental school this cycle and I found it interesting that your passions for opthalmology are in line with my desire to pursue dentistry. The continuity of care for patients, dexterous and artistic nature, and the focuses/skill driven aspects of each procedure are just a few of the reasons why I love dentistry! Thank you for taking us along on your journey and best of luck as your become an outstanding ophthalmologist :)

[@jakearbon5518]

Thank you for the video! I really enjoyed listening to your perspective.

[@kyleemariemakeup]

You're so sweet and down to earth! As an incoming college freshman, you've sure provided a lot of great advice that I'll be taking with me :)

[@sam33naR]

Hey Andrea, thank you so much for all the insightful information, and for taking the time out to answer our questions! You're my favorite doctor! :D

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+Sameena Rahman Thank you!!!

[@loventalent13]

You're so awesome, Andrea! Never stop posting :)

[@giannajanine2439]

can you please do a video on the pros and once of popular specialties? or maybe like a surgery vs. medicine video? :) thanks! i absolutely adore your videos, I'm in high school and i have never been more sure of my decision to become a doctor !

[@cc_isgreat671]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I've watched this video twice now! I'm also very interested in Ophthalmology.

[@candy_apple8931]

It's amazing to see how happy she is talking about her carrer. It's inspiring! she seems passionate

[@hifabiola]

thank you so much! I cant help my smile from the beginning of the video cause you speak out my mind. hopefully I can go to ophthalmology soon. :)

[@atanasbogoev]

Hey Andrea, great video! I really love what you do and how you inform people! Information is the most powerful tool we human can use! Btw. i am going into Ophthalmology Residence myself. Hopefully we can see each other on some big conference in the future! Keep being awesome! Best regards, Atanas Bogoev

[@emelysommer6438]

Love your Videos! Always watch them during my study-breaks for motivation! :D Greets from Germany!

[@docdoc7949]

Hi! I'm an Italian med student. I'm in my last (sixth) year of med school. In Italy there is not such thing as pre-med. your videos are so good and I can tell you are a great doctor just listening to you. I'm also interested in surgery but I like clinic as well. It's now time for me to choose a specialty but I haven't decided yet even though general surgery is now my first choice. But I also like paediatrics and internal medicine. My greatest fear is not to be able to have free time. XP

[@johnlocke2038]

Wow! I've watched some of your other videos but I never realized you ended up going to Mayo! That's so awesome! Great job!!!

[@andddrewsays]

Im currently in paramedic school and think very highly of any MD. With all these LCD, phone, TV screens our eyes are getting worse everyday. Optho will always be in the need.

[@luindared9227]

You are so nice. Thank you so much for sharing this aspect. I am a med student who is going to have a Oph resident interview and I am kinda nervous what type of reasons I should mention in an interview so this is an inspiration. You’re facial expression is so good.

[@Lamzicles]

Would love more tips about getting into ophthalmology due to it being really competitive! Love this video, keep it up!

[@kabdirahman5741]

Outstanding! you've just made me proud, i am MD and i wanna do opthalmogy but thinking what to know before that! I hope you should do more about opthalmology.

[@drexler4340]

Great video! I really heard your passion come through. Would love to know more about other specialties as well. If you could find other residents in other specialties to interview that would be great :).

[@dontaskhazel]

I worked at an optometrist office as a tech, and I loved what the optometrist did but I always wished I could be part of doing more. I never considered ophthalmology, but your video made it really sound perfect to me. Vision is so important, and to be able to help people with their eyes and vision would be so rewarding! I also love the ability to do surgery, but not super lengthy ones. I’m still a sophomore biology major, but I’ll definitely be looking into this specialty more, thank you for posting this video!

[@dannynguyen1129]

Great video like always!

[@jng41687]

Thank you for the video! I'm currently an MS3 at UF debating ophtho and this video helped a ton.

[@ChadboyX]

you are amazing, i have an ophthalmology residency interview tomorrow. thank you for the insights

[@Peyton_Urich]

This is so inspiring! I hope to pursue Ophthalmology!

[@LuisCarrillo-yt1hr]

I am a first year medical student who's interested in Ophthalmology. Thank you for this, it really helped!

[@andreacz576]

Great video as per usual!! I think it would be very useful if you could do a video focused on extracurriculars for premeds/med students. Have a lovely day!!

[@daniellejack4109]

I've fallen in love with ophthalmology for ALL of the reasons that you have just said, I couldn't have said it better myself. My first time in the OR for strabismus was the moment I knew this was the specialty for me (especially after being in orthopedic surgery...too savage for my liking). Hope to meet you at an ophthalmology conference some day!

[@linlinlin100]

Love your videos and you are just such an inspiration! i am internal med dr now, finished residency but wanting to continue and become nephrologist! P.S. you are one of tbe best looking ppl ever! Always looking so perfect! :)

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+Linda Kucane LOL Thank you!!! Congrats to you finishing residency!

[@nsturm100]

Great video. You are an inspiration!!

[@rachelzinha89]

Really video Andrea..!! Ophthalmology is really cool and I think it fits you perfectlyyy... I'm still looking on various specialties in the future such as Fertility Specialist OBGYN, Dermatologist, Radiologist, or Plastic Surgery...your videos HELP SO MUCH, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you can do an interview with a Radiologic Specialist soon!!! Lots of love, Rachel

[@rachelzinha89]

*Really GREAT videooo ='D

[@khaledking5408]

That's my dream specialty, this year is the 2nd time I try passing the residency exam to get ophthalmology, wish me luck

[@zelcoleman4140]

I pray you pass your residency exam

[@khaledking5408]

@@zelcoleman4140 thank you very much ❤️

[@anahavana931]

Good luck!

[@rajendranv8715]

Me too, ophtha love

[@khaledking5408]

Today I started my ophthalmology residency, dreams do come true

[@sallysong3048]

Loved this!

[@AdvancedOphthalmologySurgery]

Congratulations! You will in a few years perform life changing surgery! The gift of vision! enjoy your path and good luck in your career :)

[@polinaandreyeva6500]

Thank you so much! You are so inspirational ))

[@zain90s]

Thanks for this video. I also want to be an ophthalmologists :). I absolutely love the anatomy of the eyes. I graduated from medical school in the UK, July this year. I am currently a Foundation year one Dr (House officer). Doing my research, trying to learn more and get involved with things that would help me understand ophthalmology better and hopefully get involved in the speciality. Your video had inspired me more. Thank you

[@aboramba3447]

great work, very helpful videos

[@TTuach]

I must say that your video is very informative. I have a dream of becoming a Dr and Ophthalmology is my favorite specialty. Thanks, your message has inspired me to keep the dream alive.

[@anudariotgonbayar9746]

Hello! I am a first year medical student. I want to become an ophthalmologist. Thank you for your videos. They are very inspiring!!!

[@kellyheartspink25]

Hey Andrea!!! Absolutely love watching your videos! Do you think you could share your experience from your Match Day? I think that would be really interesting to hear about!

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+kellyheartspink25 Here are 2 blogs that I wrote about it! www.andreatooley.com/2014/01/match-day/ and www.andreatooley.com/2014/03/match-day-again/

[@jonjones6749]

Andrea I just kinda stumbled onto you're channel. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure . I am 54. 2 years after being diagnosed with the severe heart issues i developed Hypermature Cataracts in both eyes. These were Aggravated by my heart issues. In the matter of a couple months i went completely blind in both eyes. I could only see a human hand about a foot away, and then only the color change , not really seeing the hand. I had to wait a bit for my Cardiologist to clear me for the Cataract surgeries , I had a local but was also given a sedative and they did one eye and then 2 weeks later did the other eye, I know what its like to be blind and I know what its like to get my vision back and when i did it was the happiest day of my life. we take sight for granite. My Ophthalmologist is in incredible Doctor he did surgeries 2 days a week and did the right eyes one day and the left eyes the next day. He preferred it that way. I never even felt as much as a scratch in my eyes afterword. No feeling of sand in my eyes or anything. You can understand why he is my hero and favorite Doctor. You will have many very rewarding moments in you're career as at times you will be giving blind people sight again. I think you will love it and thank you for choosing Ophthalmology.

[@SomethingNick]

I loved the idea of ophthalmology! Unfortunately my shaky hands are not suited for microsurgery, but it's nice to know passionate people like yourself are in the field :)

[@GabrielOliveira-ib3nd]

Hello, I'm a high school student, I'm 17 and I'm from Brazil. I have to say that your videos are awesome, they tell exactly what I was expecting to hear. I have to admit you're a brilliant woman. My dream is to become a physician one day, as well, and your videos encourage me to keep studying hard to reach that dream. Your channel is very interesting, the more videos I watch the more I get enthusiastic and hooked on Medicine. I wish all good things📚📝🔜🚑🏥🇧🇷🇺🇸!!!

[@kaitlinhaslam9004]

I loved hearing all about ophthalmology and your love for it. I never even considered that specialty but it seems so interesting. Can you please do a video with a Nurse Practitioner like your PA video? Also, do you think the fact that I'm coming from community college in my first two years, will affect my chances of getting into medical school? Thanks for all your awesome videos and insights!!

[@srahman2610]

I saw your videos when I started my medical school. Now I'm watching again after completing med school to find idea about postgrad!

[@winonadaphne6445]

so useful, thank you!

[@kate503090]

Can you please make a video about your patients and what was really exciting about what you need to fix on them !

[@thegarbageman21]

Wow ophtho... congratulations! How about a video on the state of medicine today, at least for you? I am in IM intern in a big city and one of the biggest things that shocked me once I started really working in hospitals is the reality of healthcare today. Every hospital / region is different but I think its important for people (especially pre-meds and med students) to know what they are getting into so they can make the best decisions for them. Going in for the "glory of being a doctor" isn't quite what it used to be. The system can be very frustrating as well as the people involved (docs, nurses, patients, etc). The most frustrating part for me is how powerless I am sometimes despite being the one caring for the patient. Don't get me wrong I love my career choice but its a lot of ups and downs for me personally :). And thank you for all your videos they take a lot of effort and GL in your career.

[@iuliamaria5758]

I'm also passionate about ophthalmology since I pay regular visits to my "eye doctor" and I want to walk the same path that you walk currently. Good luck and I hope you become a very good physician

[@justtoolit6051]

Thank you for this video! I want to become an Ophthalmologist.

[@elizabethbaek4147]

Hi Andrea, thanks for your video. This is the first time that I am commenting on youtube - I was so pleasantly surprised at how similar our reasons are for wanting to pursue a career in ophthalmology!! I wish you all the best :)

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+Elizabeth Baek Thank you! Are you an ophtho resident?!

[@elizabethbaek4147]

+Andrea Tooley :D no not yet, I'm a final year med student working towards it... If I'm lucky enough to become one, maybe our paths will cross someday!

[@msmagrabi]

This is a great video, and it does list all the "right" reasons to be an ophthalmologist. Usually, when one is asked the question why one chose to be an ophthalmologist, they usually give you the answer that means literally nothing: "because ophthalmology combines medicine and surgery". While this is very true, it just really doesn't mean anything. Most medical specialties (apart from pediatrics and general medicine) do combine medicine and some form of surgery or procedures. But the real beauty of ophthalmology is about how fascinating the eye and sense of vision are, about the elegance and intricacy of surgery, about how meticulous you need to be, about the perfectionism involved, about the very steep learning curve to master even the basic examination skills, about how challenging it is to learn and excel in microsurgery. You mentioned all the right reasons. As an ophthalmologist (currently a fellow), I will refer whoever asks me "why ophthalmology " to your video.

[@user-ph4wy8hf1m]

You speak so interesting ☺️ Thanks

[@keniavanegas1635]

Hi Andrea! My question for you is: What is it like working at Mayo Clinic?

[@IbrahimMohamed-kp5ih]

u r amazing .. i am in my first year of ophthlamolgy residency and i can say that i love it much more now ...any info about these organization u spoke about ??

[@dikshyabohara2960]

Hello, i am opthalmology resident first year in Nepal and so happy to know that you are enjoying it.

[@suldanhajjinuur5218]

Doc! Can i have your number?

[@jcarlson2727]

the practical difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists is surgery. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists are trained and state licensed to manage any medical eye disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, etc. Both are allowed to prescribe any prescription eye drop and/or medication(s) taken by mouth (to manage eye disease), with few exceptions, including schedule controlled substances. Both have at least 4 years of eye specific training. Optometrists have the most formal optical training, however, they do not perform invasive surgery like ophthalmologists, thus a relatively shorter program. As an optometrist, who owns a private practice that does full medical eye care, who has worked in 8 clinics including 2 hospitals, who has worked beside optometry and med students and ophthalmology residents in all years in every sub-specialty... I wish you the best of luck with your fellowship - not too many in plastics = $ :)

[@dxml9554]

Hey Andrea, First off- I am a Canadian viewer here and I love your videos :) In medical school was it rare for people to get accepted on their first try? Do you remember or can you gauge what the average age was? I am 23 and I am applying again and feel a bit old haha! But websites tell me (like Florida med) that the average age is actually 24-25. Thanks :)

[@bclarky12]

Thank you for the videos Dr. Tooley. Does your fellowship give you the qualifications to participate in See International, or similar endeavors such as the Himalayan Cataract Project when you become an attending physician and have a vacation period? Thanks!

[@alissakivan4722]

hello, my cousin is born with optic nerve hypoplasia but she's so so smart and is applying to PHD in USA. We live in Lebanon, Middle East and sadly nobody here works on finding cure for this or at least helping her and thus i'm encouraged to become an ophthalmologist. thank you for the video.

[@Honeypepper.]

Ophthalmology is very interesting, I first got interested after doing 9 month course in Ophthalmic Medical Assistant

[@thesurgeon8012]

Got ophtha finally🤗

[@aaronscarpa7469]

I am a first-year medical student. When I started in July, ophtho was the farthest thing from my thoughts, but now that I've learned about it, I am very interested in exploring this possibility more. What recommendations do you have for me at this point? I am already exploring research projects, but what other recommendations/advice do you have?

[@albertojoseriverapadilla1303]

Hi Andrea, my question is that in one of your previous videos interviewing Dr. Sandra Lee, you guys commented that Dermatology and ophtalmology field have similarities. What are those?

[@samanthaglawson6629]

Hi Andrea, I really enjoy your videos,they are so informative and help answer a lot of questions i have. One major decision I am about to make is deciding between PA school and medical school. I have all the requirements for PA now but not medical school and id have to take the MCAT. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a physician for as long as I can remember. And I was very close to an MD (he is also an ophthalmology resident!!) who taught me many things about the medical field i didnt know. One question I have that pushed me away from medical school is: is it really hard to get accepted into a residency program? If I go to medical school I know for sure I would want to do ophthalmology or dermatology but I hear they are the hardest programs to get accepted into. What was your experience like getting accepted into residency programs, and if you didnt get ophthalmology, what would you have chosen?

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+Samantha lawson It's true that ophtho and derm are competitive, but if you know from the start that those are the fields you are interested in, you can just make sure to work extra hard, do research, etc. and you will be fine! I only wanted to do ophtho and so I made sure to get the grades I needed to be competitive for ophtho. If I hadn't matched into ophtho I would have taken a year off to do research and then re-applied. Good luck!

[@enochbrown8178]

Dr. Tooley, I am curious. How did you do on the USMLE Part 1? Also, did you get honors in all or most of your clinical rotations and if so, could you give some tips?

[@roshanspsycho]

Thanks you so much for these videos. They're super helpful! I became interested in neurosurgery ever since I observed a neurosurgeon perform Burr holes on a patient in the ED while I was working as a tech. My only reservation is the time it will take and at times I wonder if I have the skills to perform at that level.

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+Ro S You can do it!

[@fridahype]

+Ro S a burr hole in the ED... no one does burr holes outside a OR

[@its.shanice9740]

I’m 13 and I want to study ophthalmology thanks for this video😇❤️

[@tannerroser7412]

Do you have a video “stuff about residency I wish I had known in medical school?”

[@groovyheart19]

Great Video! I'd love to know the areas you weren't so interested in...

[@eru46dpd]

I know you''re going to become an ophthalmologist, but if you were to pick four other specialties you wanted to go into what would they be? Thanks.

[@watchout2214]

sorry i'm doing a research about chalazion and i'm mentioning directions of how an eyelid should be to prevent a chalazion, are these correct? the mebiomian glands of the eyelid are healthy and opened up the mebiomian glands exits of the eyelid are perfectly opened up

[@ketakipawar7557]

wow... great video.. you are so sorted... thats really good. do u upload these before going to work ? just guessing. ..

[@ketakipawar7557]

+Kate Ledbetter i mean she knew what she wanted to do since such a long time.. its rare

[@kate503090]

+Ketaki Pawar so do I ,I want to go in to surgery what are you in

[@ketakipawar7557]

+Kate Ledbetter im in oral and maxillofacial surgery

[@kate503090]

+Ketaki Pawar that's so awesome !!!!!!

[@andrewthiyam8602]

Hello Andrea, I have a Qs for you, Are Nepafenac drops (NSAID) helpful in treating a corneal abrasion?? I had a corneal abrasion and have been using Nepafenac drops for about 2 months now.

[@sovereign775]

Hey Andrea Tooley, I have a question about Opthalmology residency hours. What was your schedule like after intern year? I know this can be a hard question to answer based on rotation but an average would be awesome. 7am-4pm? Longer? I'm an MS2 in my second year, halfway through my clerkship. I hate the work life balance and it is mentally killing me. Not to say I would choose a field for the lifestyle during residency but my health is my #1 priority and I can't enjoy my work if I don't take care of myself first. Thus I was wondering how tough Opthalmology residency is compared to PM&R for example? Thanks.

[@justink3810]

Surgery has always interested me so much, but I really want a family. What are some other surgical specialties that I can balance work and family? By the way... Love your videos! Starting my undergrad as pre-med and I can't wait!

[@sovereign775]

Justin K Urology and ENT

[@mochugles]

Hey Andrea, can you also tell us a little bit about fellowships? Will you be doing a fellowship once you have completed residency? Also, is a fellowship required?

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+moe c I haven't decided about fellowship yet!! There are so many different ones and they are not required, but if you want to specialize even further in your field, then you can opt to do one. I'll keep you updated if I decide!

[@ericalee926]

mayo for opthalmology or neurology is my dream residency!!!

[@carsoncrooke1287]

I’m in high School and thinking about possibly pursuing a career in the medical field. I wanted to ask you what was your degree you graduated with in college? Thanks

[@ariyonschreiber]

Could you do a video on how to obtain a ophthalmology residency?

[@salmansater7855]

Hi Dr. T , could you please make a video that would explain shadowing ( how we can do it in highschool , what is it , who do we have to talk to, what to expect ) it would be a huge huge help to me and really anyone whos interested in looking into mrdicine while hes still in highschool. I personaly cant wait to see this it would mean the world

[@AndreaTooleyMD]

+Salman Sater Great idea!!

[@musiii12mn]

Hi! Am a medical residence GP and I have been working around 2 and half years in Sweden and am hating it because of the load. I have interest in dermatology since the beginning but I couldn’t get a place for residency . How can you prescribe the ophthalmology ad do you recommend it for me? Thanks!!

[@Prog47]

hey doc I'm an international med student studying in Czech rep. Duration of med school is 6 years. However, I will finish in 8-9 years. Does this matter when getting residency? Will I get asked about it? And will they think I'll be a worse doctor because I didn't finish on time?

[@edgarlozano6534]

How hard is it for an american international medical graduate to get a residency in ophthalmology? I would love to get a residency in ophthalmology! Great vid btw!

[@nadam2830]

hey andrea thank you for sharing your experience with us this was really helpful and motivational! i wanted to ask you about the orbis organization, how can i volunteer whats the process if i wanted to volunteer in India. from Saudi Nada

[@nadam2830]

+Nada m i'm a 5th year medical student

[@DanielCMM]

is primary care a dying field? i like outpatient general medicine but i've heard and read that is going down and internist see themselve in the urge to specialize. Can you tell us a little about it? Thanks.

[@jithukrishna18]

hi... what all things that cud help us to get into residency programme in mayo clinic....like in internal medicine..is it just score...or research publication? hopingfr a kind response.... thank you..

[@salmansater7855]

thank you so much umm Im really bad at math like a D , is that gonna ruin everything for me and make it harder on me in med school

[@Arkyark672]

i went to my optometrist today and fell in love with it for some reason. i know i want to be a physician but their is something different about optometry that i liked. i dont know how to explain it. i guess like you said it's its own thing(the eye).

[@Arkyark672]

+TheDopestGamer yeah i get the difference i think i used the word physician when i should gave said doctor. but do optometrist and ophthalmologists go to different schools?

[@Arkyark672]

+TheDopestGamer yeah i get the difference i think i used the word physician when i should gave said doctor. but do optometrist and ophthalmologists go to different schools?

[@katelyn371]

+Nish Heard a physician is the same thing as a doctor. Those are interchangeable words. optometrists go to optometry school which I believe is a school you apply to after you get your bachelor's degree. ophthalmologists get a bachelor's, then apply to medical school for four years and then do residency in ophthalmology for four years. An optometrist is not a doctor

[@Arkyark672]

+kkkatlyn thanks for clearing that up because that really confused me.

[@eyerockifyful]

Optometrist are definitely doctors, they are listed as optometric physicians by medicare and receive their doctorate of optometry. The main difference between ophthalmology and optometry is that ophthalmologists do surgery and Optometrists can do everything related to eyecare aside from surgery (in most states).

[@rular888]

can any one help me? do opthalmologist work a normal schedule like 8 to 5 because I want to have a family but I don't want it to be consumed by being a doctor and also will I be able to take like 2 to 3 weeks off for summer vacations with my kids? thank you for your help.

[@susantrusan6748]

Hi Andrea! Can you please do a video with an optometrist and compare it with ophthalmology? Similar to the videos you have done with other healthcare professionals.

[@vinitavincentkuruvila1119]

Firstly an optometrist does not go to med school. It's a four year degree :)you work at the opticians. at least where I come from in Ireland. And opthalmologist is a doctor who went to med school 6 years plus 6-7 years residency :)

[@saraaMoh]

silly question but do I pronounce the "p" in ophthalmology?

[@CrazyPCgaming]

when im older i want to become a dermatologist because i already know alot about the skin, and i'm interested in SKIN

[@sdusa9643]

Thank you, I really enjoyed your video, I'm going to be ophthalmology in one day, but I'm still studying Biology. 😭