Bio, Chem, AND Calc? HELP.

[intangible]

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I've been a ghost on these forums for a really, really, really long time.
I'm a freshman in college now—and for the first time, I'm logging into SDN for help.

I'm taking Bio I/lab, Chem I/lab, Calc I, Music Appreciation (core curric. requirement), and an Intro to College course for my first semester.

Naturally, I'm freaking out because as a high school student I never took AP sciences or maths because I knew I'd have to take them in college. I did, however, take most of the humanities AP, so I've knocked out English completely with a 5. 🙂

But this heavy math/science schedule is kind of worrisome. Was it inordinately difficult to take this courseload in one semester? Was the transition inordinately difficult? Any advice for a scared-****less bio major?

Thank you!

 

[sakabato93]

I've been a ghost on these forums for a really, really, really long time.
I'm a freshman in college now—and for the first time, I'm logging into SDN for help.

I'm taking Bio I/lab, Chem I/lab, Calc I, Music Appreciation (core curric. requirement), and an Intro to College course for my first semester.

Naturally, I'm freaking out because as a high school student I never took AP sciences or maths because I knew I'd have to take them in college. I did, however, take most of the humanities AP, so I've knocked out English completely with a 5. 🙂

But this heavy math/science schedule is kind of worrisome. Was it inordinately difficult to take this courseload in one semester? Was the transition inordinately difficult? Any advice for a scared-****less bio major?

Thank you!

I once took a semester where I took multivariable calculus, physics II (calc-based), upper division biology (animal physiology), and physics I lab and still got a 4.0 (also had a Japanese class).

Taking a lot of sciences in one semester IS doable... But I did it during my fourth semester after having established a good sense of how to handle school.

Reason I give my example is to let you know that the schedule you have is definitely doable if you are disciplined. But if you really are afraid, its okay to drop calc or something and then take it later.

All you need to know is that ADCOMS only care about GPA; they care very little about courseload/difficulty.

 

[kickster]

At many colleges, the standard for premed, bio freshmen is bio w/ lab, chem w/lab, and calc. It's definitely doable, you'll just have to put the necessary time in. That said, you seem to take to the non-sciences much more, so why are you a bio major?

 

[Pandapurse]

It's definitely manageable, I took a similar course load my second semester of freshman year. Just manage your time between the classes and you'll be fine.

 

[The Milkman]

All you need to know is that ADCOMS only care about GPA; they care very little about courseload/difficulty.

you sure about that?

 

[intangible]

At many colleges, the standard for premed, bio freshmen is bio w/ lab, chem w/lab, and calc. It's definitely doable, you'll just have to put the necessary time in. That said, you seem to take to the non-sciences much more, so why are you a bio major?

I didn't say I liked them. 🙄 I took the non-sciences in high school because I knew I'd be wasting my time taking Bio or Calc in high school because some med schools won't even take your pre-med reqs in AP credit. Plus, a 3 doesn't look as great as an A in a class. 🙂

 

[opitzmzp]

Efforts to overcome the, maintaining sense of normalcy

 

[sakabato93]

you sure about that?

I mean, its not black and white. Courseload and difficulty are considered, but they don't justify low GPAs. If you take a hard semester and get a lower GPA compared to premed standards (<3.3), ADCOMs will see it as irresponsible, which it frankly is.

 

[sakabato93]

I didn't say I liked them. 🙄 I took the non-sciences in high school because I knew I'd be wasting my time taking Bio or Calc in high school because some med schools won't even take your pre-med reqs in AP credit. Plus, a 3 doesn't look as great as an A in a class. 🙂

Not a waste of time. Gets your feet wet in the sciences. Its important for success in college. (Notice I said important and not critical)

 

[The Milkman]

I mean, its not black and white. Courseload and difficulty are considered, but they don't justify low GPAs. If you take a hard semester and get a lower GPA compared to premed standards (<3.3), ADCOMs will see it as irresponsible, which it frankly is.

Right, I agree with that. But they would definitely favor a 3.8 in a very hard schedule than a 3.8 in an easy schedule.

 

[sakabato93]

Right, I agree with that. But they would definitely favor a 3.8 in a very hard schedule than a 3.8 in an easy schedule.

Oh most definitely. I made a post like that once a few months back:

Also, courseload isn't that big of a factor, unless you get a stellar GPA. If you have a >3.85 GPA after consistent 17hr+ semesters, ADCOMs may be a little impressed. However, they won't let you use taking 17hr+ as an excuse for getting a subpar GPA (<3.6).

A tough semester is a double edged sword all depending on GPA. A great GPA shows competence, responsibility, and intelligence. A bad GPA shows the opposite.

My point is plan your semesters to maximize your GPA because in the end that's all that matters. Don't bite off more than you can chew, especially in the beginning. Eventually, you should be able to chew a lot, though.

 

[Juxxtaposition]

It really depends on where you go. Generally, you want to take it easy your first semester. I, being the neurotic premed that I am, was told the same thing and didn't listen and although I got all As, it was an extremely stressful time because adjusting was like a class in itself. My second semester I took an even harder class load and it felt so much easier just because I was used to college.

 

[The Milkman]

Oh most definitely. I made a post like that once a few months back:



A tough semester is a double edged sword all depending on GPA. A great GPA shows competence, responsibility, and intelligence. A bad GPA shows the opposite.

My point is plan your semesters to maximize your GPA because in the end that's all that matters. Don't bite off more than you can chew, especially in the beginning. Eventually, you should be able to chew a lot, though.

Yeah, when I read your first post it came off as if you were saying that ADCOMS don't think any more positively of you if you're acing tough semesters. But everything you're saying I agree with now!

 

[Tear It Up]

dude that's nothing...

 

[sakabato93]

Yeah, when I read your first post it came off as if you were saying that ADCOMS don't think any more positively of you if you're acing tough semesters. But everything you're saying I agree with now!

Its my bad for being lazy in that first post, haha.👍👍

 

[zeppelinpage4]

I've been a ghost on these forums for a really, really, really long time.
I'm a freshman in college now&#8212;and for the first time, I'm logging into SDN for help.

I'm taking Bio I/lab, Chem I/lab, Calc I, Music Appreciation (core curric. requirement), and an Intro to College course for my first semester.

Naturally, I'm freaking out because as a high school student I never took AP sciences or maths because I knew I'd have to take them in college. I did, however, take most of the humanities AP, so I've knocked out English completely with a 5. 🙂

But this heavy math/science schedule is kind of worrisome. Was it inordinately difficult to take this courseload in one semester? Was the transition inordinately difficult? Any advice for a scared-****less bio major?

Thank you!

Relax and take a deep breath, you'll be fine.

It was standard for most freshman bio majors at my school to take Bio 1/lab, Chem 1 (no lab), Calc I, and an Engl/writing course.

You need to study and put the work in, but it is completely manageable if you stay on top of the work. 🙂

 

[yehhhboiii]

my first semester was a little rougher than that and it was tough. just stay on top of your work and keep up