NARRATIVE POEM BY: Mohammed Bahs
ARTIST STATEMENT: Due to working in public health research, I am surrounded by many aspiring scientists, physicians, and researchers. Over the summer, I met a great group of undergrads who were pre-meds. They would tell me about the cruel and competitive environment of the pre-med track. This inspired me to write this piece and share with you all.
Jake, Ash, & Coby have been staring at their phones for the past hour
They’re supposed to be studying
Jake: “Okay okay lets start for real”
They have a chemistry exam tomorrow with nothing to show
Pre-meds and this is the deciding factor between a B and a B+
(They gave up on the A two exams ago)
They saw the reviews winter break and thought they could wing it
Like usual
No, no—this is Orgo, kiddos.
Why the group study? Is it ever effective?
Jake & Coby have been talking about The Batman
Singled Ash out
“20 years old wearing a hello kitty clip”
Shit talking other students, saying they don’t have enough clinical experience
They take one step forward, then ten back
Flip to a page, then scroll on Tik Tok
Ash, on her phone, watching Youtube
Looking at makeup vid—Wait.
That’s strange.
It’s a content creator who teaches Chemistry
Her laptop is on the table, so why not put it on that screen?
Ha! Ash, you sly-petty girl
These pre-meds are ruthless
I mean, take out the competition by any means, right?
She’s going to ace this exam,
While these fools debate who’s better, Bale or Pattinson
