Psychology of the Scientist: XLIX. On Becoming a Student—Again

Abstract

The author describes the difficulties he encountered when, as a full professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, he wished to enroll as a medical student and obtain an M.D. Forced to take classes in chemistry and zoology to make up his “undergraduate deficiencies,” he soon learned first-hand why students complain so bitterly about poor teaching and why they are often forced to cheat in order to “beat the curve.” The author concludes that the quality of undergraduate instruction might improve if all professors occasionally took courses as well as giving them.