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I was wondering if the following schedule can be handled the first semester of freshman year...

Chem (the very first one)
Computer Aided Design
Multi-var Calculus
Ancient Greek Philosophy

It all adds up to 24 hours of lecture/lab/discussion each week, and I'm just a little worried I'm going to get totally stressed out or not have a life at all. Any thoughts?

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 01:22 am: Edit

While that schedule is possible (this coming from the woman who took organic and physical chem as a freshman), there are some downsides. First, you don't really have a blow-off class. Do not underestimate the importance of one: it will get you through the rough times, assure you of one good grade, and let you know that you're getting somewhere.

If you have the pre-reqs for multi-variable (very rigorous BC calc is needed), go for it.

If Ancient Greek Philosophy is not a course
numbered one or 101 (whichever system applies), don't take it... you will be graded against stronger writers, more efficient readers, and students with better skills.

However, those are four classes, and none of them sound overwhelming. Unless one of them is fairly easy (depending on your school, chem or philosophy may be), switch out one for something introductory/freshman level.

By Shyarra (Shyarra) on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 12:29 am: Edit

Geez...you sound smart. I'm taking Chinese, Honors Social Justice and Euarasian Politics, and I thought I was going to be overwhelmed!

By Pãezinho (Pãezinho) on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 12:34 am: Edit

I have no idea how hard college courses are going to be, and you guys are already scaring me! I was planning on taking:

methods of applied mathematics I
intermediate calculus
mathematical methods in the brain sciences
intensive portuguese
advanced beginning chinese

i'm guessing this will be really difficult?

By Justin185 (Justin185) on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 11:46 am: Edit

When was a first-semester freshman I took Calc I (math 190), Chemistry, Computer Science 100, and a freshman writing seminar (Philosophy 100). Second semester I took Calc II (math 192), Physics I, CS 211, CS 212 (programming project course), and another freshman writing seminar. I also took some phys ed courses. Sophomore year was more courses.

This coming semester I am taking statics, differential equations, circuits, microeconomics, thermodynamics, and history (civilization before 1500). I will be junior (but will get my B.S. in 5 years) and will be pursuing mechanical engineering, after switching from computer science at my previous school. I transferred over the summer after two years at Cornell. The workload was heavy but I handled it without much difficulty. The exams were my problem. Also the courses at my new school won't have any TA recitation sections, only lectures.

So even though you may have a lot of classes, you can find a way to make everything fit together.

By Flipflop (Flipflop) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 04:44 am: Edit

I'm in mechanical engineering too. =)

By Huntsmanhopeful (Huntsmanhopeful) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 03:36 pm: Edit

My advice on the Multi var calc, if you found the Calculus BC class to be an absolute joke, and you went beyond the curriculum and covered vectors, take Multi var. I took it this summer, but I never covered vectors, and Multi took quite a while to get used to. This is only the advice of a rising senior in high school at a pre college program, so I don't know how the class will compare to mine, but from what I've heard, an actual college class takes more time covering each topic. Multivariable is much different and a lot harder than calculus 1 and 2, and if you have any doubts about your courseload, I'd suggest taking calculus 2, treating it as a semi-blow off class and then taking multivar

By Flipflop (Flipflop) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 04:39 pm: Edit

When I went to orientation, a lot of the students and staff also suggested that we not skip calc 2 but not because of vectors. The main reason was that most Calc BC classes don't cover differential equations which we did. But I might take your advice anyway. Math is my strong point, but I finished calc BC more than a year ago and haven't touched it since. I'll see how the first week or two of multi goes, and if it's too difficult, I'll switch out and shouldn't be behind in calc 2.