Why Are Pre-med Students Considered Difficult to Teach?

So I read somewhere that pre-med students are often considered the most difficult to teach in college. Is there any truth to this? If so, why might this be the case?

The perception that pre-med students are 'difficult to teach' can often be traced back to a number of potential factors:

1. High stakes: Pre-med students are under a lot of pressure. They're aiming for medical school admissions which is highly competitive. This means every grade counts, making these students more anxious about their academic performance. This pressure might manifest as them being more demanding or more intense in their interaction with instructors.

2. Curriculum Intensity: The pre-med curriculum is rigorous, encompassing biology, chemistry, physics, and math, as well as requiring lab work and often research. This high intensity workload can lead to stress and anxiety, which may in turn impact the classroom dynamics.

3. Individualistic Mindset: Some argue that the competitive nature of pre-med studies fosters an individualistic mindset, which may make group tasks or teamwork more challenging.

4. Fixed Mindsets: Due to the nature of pre-med studies being heavily rooted in facts and memorization, some students might have more of a fixed mindset as opposed to a growth mindset which focuses on learning and understanding. This may make teaching them more nuanced or abstract concepts more challenging.

These dynamics, however, are not limited to pre-med students, nor do they apply to every individual within this group. There are plenty of pre-med students who are receptive to learning and collaborate well with others. It's important to avoid generalizing and instead, take each student on their own merits.