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There have always been stereotypes and assumptions that come with each major. Communication majors don’t actually learn anything. Elementary education majors have it easy. Computer science majors only learn how to play video games. Sports management major is only for athletes. This is due to the unfamiliarity of the unknown. When there is a lack of information about a specific topic, there is an automatic reaction to judge. 

I sat down with Mary Yarkosky, biology major; Lizzie Hartman, psychology and human services major; and Sam Schmitz, kinesiology major here at Grand View University to squash the rumors and stereotypes that come with their majors.

What are the stereotypes and thoughts that come to mind when you think of a Biology major?

Hartman: “I think being in the major would be pretty difficult. I feel like there would be a lot of hard homework involved in the classes. I had a tough time even in Biology 101, which is the most generic biology class here at GV.”

Schmitz: “I would say that if you want to get into anything science-related, I would think someone would be a biology major. It is a broad major that covers everything. Their homework would consist of a lot of lab reports that require long and extensive deep thinking. Lastly, I think people that are super predominant in that major are geniuses.”

Biology insider, Mary Yarkosky

“The biggest misconception about the major is that it is so hard or that we are all geniuses. There are so many people in my class that are, but I’m not one of them. One of the difficult parts of the major is all of the things you need to do outside of class that is not an assignment and not worth points. This major is about you getting your shit together and getting it done because you want to get it done and be successful yourself. I want to graduate with a bachelor’s in biology and hopefully take an accelerated bachelor’s of science in nursing program.”

What are the stereotypes and thoughts that come to Mind when you think of a psychology and human services major?

Yarkosky: “I kind of see human services as a human resources job. Within the major, I think the homework is studying behaviors and why people react the way that they do. I believe there are a lot of case studies to do within the psychology major, but with human services, I would say more papers to write. A lot of people say if you want to go the easy route take psychology because a lot of us think it is second nature to us.”

Schmitz: “I always think of a therapist. They take a lot of notes and need to know all of the technical terms within the brain. I think human services sounds pretty easy, but with psychology, it is a little bit more complicated.”

Psychology and human services insider, Lizzie Hartman

“Psychology is the study of humans and who they are. Being in that major you pretty much work with people all the time. Human services is more making sure every person is in the right home and that you are always willing to help. I love that I will get to work with people. I love people, and I do not think I can go a day without talking to someone. I would say the biggest stereotype is that people believe that psychology and human services majors can only be therapists or psychologists. We can do so many other things to help people become better versions of themselves, and there are so many other jobs that do not get as much credit as psychologists or therapists.”

What are the stereotypes and thoughts that come to your head when you think of a kinesiology major?

Yarkosky: I believe they make workouts and learn the anatomy of the body. I see it almost as one step below a biology major. They definitely learn more about the body a lot quicker than a biology major.”

Hartman: “They definitely work with people but on the physical health side of things. A lot of their work is hands-on and learning how the body and muscles move which creates motion. I see people working with anything that has to do with athletics.”

Kinesiology Insider, Sam Schmitz

“Kinesiology is the study of how your body moves. It does have a lot do with exercise, but it also involves how to be healthy in general and how to help others be healthy too. As a person gets more into the major, it involves biomechanics and much harder classes. The misconception of the major is that it is just for athletes that want easy classes that talk about sports or nutrition. It is much harder and more in-depth than that. The end goal is to be a physical therapist. I love helping athletes or people get back to living their best life.”