Staff Writer Daniel Ortega-Venni, who has confusingly decided to double major in two vastly different fields, has decided to share his (perhaps obvious) wisdom about what makes these classes so different.

I hate to state the obvious, but as someone who’s majoring in Computer Science-Mathematics and Creative Writing, STEM classes are VERY different from English classes. Yeah, the content’s super different obviously, but the general vibe of just walking from a Computer Science class to a creative writing class is enough to give me a mood whiplash. Allow me to present to you all, for scientific analysis and perhaps a few laughs:

STEM classes vs. Writing Classes

People:

• STEM: Why does no one talk to each other? Literally, the only people I see talking to each other are the people that come in with friends or study buddies already. If you’re like me and know no one in that class, you’re basically screwed unless you clumsily introduce yourself to the person next to you. (Emphasis on the clumsy because I’m super antisocial)
• Creative Writing: OK, if you were to say “well no one talks to each other in writing classes either,” you might have a decent argument, but just for the first few classes. We’re all writers here, we’re all unbearing our souls to the people around us, and it’s hard not to start talking about other things and forming some sort of (temporary) bond.

Grades:

• STEM: People (and this includes me) are constantly worried in these classes, even if there’s a curve. That’s what’s on everyone’s minds (unless they’re the 1% that understands all the material). And, somehow, if you fail an exam the curve will get you a B+? I’m not complaining, that’s saved me multiple times, but it really begs the question – why is this class necessary if you only need to know 30% of the material to pass it anyway?
• Creative Writing: No one cares about grades. As long as you write, as long as you show up, as long as you have something to say, you’re good. Unlike in STEM, everything’s subjective and if you don’t agree with something, just back it up and you’ll be fine! We’re all here to have fun while we write and read!

Teachers:

• STEM: STEM teachers are either sorta goofy or dull as hell. And, for some reason, they always seem to have office hours when I’m in class? Don’t forget that they always want new people to speak when it’s clear that only 1% of the class understands what’s going on at any one point. It’s not that I don’t want to speak; it’s just that I swear they’re going to judge me so hard if I ask a question that’s supposed to be obvious from day one.
• Creative Writing: Creative Writing teachers are legitimately the most laid back people on the planet. “Do some reading! Play with the structure in your stories! Come see me if you have any questions!” They’re like the parent of the group but in a non-suffocating way. I repeat, we stan creative writing teachers.

You might be reading this and thinking “Why is this guy torturing himself by majoring in these two different things?” To which I reply…that’s a very good question.

science via Bwog Archives