Can I get advice on my first semester schedule?

[deleted822674]

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Hi! I'm an incoming freshman at UC Berkeley and I just signed up for classes. Unfortunately, due to having one of the last registration times, I was unable to sign up for an english course for my first semester. I'm planning on taking: Chem 1a(gen. chem), Math 1a(Calculus 1), Africam 27ac (course about minorities in America--meets a graduation requirement), and Intro to Human Nutrition (I don't really get any graduation credit for this unfortunately--it was one of the few open courses that fit into my schedule). Thanks for any advice and help!

 

[drbatsandwich]

Do you have AP credit for general biology? I'd get it started if I were you, unless its not available. Those lectures are usually huge and full of freshmen so I'd be surprised if it's unavailable!

 

[deleted822674]

Do you have AP credit for general biology? I'd get it started if I were you, unless its not available. Those lectures are usually huge and full of freshmen so I'd be surprised if it's unavailable!

Most people--students and advisors alike--have told me to not take general bio during my first semester (and even first year) because they generally consider it to be the hardest pre-med required course sequence. Thanks for the advice, though! 🙂

 

[ciestar]

Soc/psych might be a better choice than nutrition.

 

[Blanky]

Gen chem 1 and calc are two great classes to get out of the way. Did you already pass out of algebra or can you take it? Easy science gpa boost and gets you into the college rhythm.
I am heavily against the bio + chem for your first semester... you have plenty of time to ramp things up! Chem 1/2 -> Orgo 1/2 -> Biochem is he longest sequence and its great that you are getting that started! Once you feel comfortable with your class load you can add biology and physics into the mix.
Remember to major in what you enjoy! Do well and take the prereqs and you will be fine. Do not overload on ECs at first until you are steady getting 3.7+ GPA semesters. If you arent able to get the ECs in, then you can easily take a gap year for the MCAT and ECs.

 

[Blanky]

So yea... Chem1/calc and then add some easy credits at first and start off with a 4.0!

 

[deleted822674]

Soc/psych might be a better choice than nutrition.

Unfortunately those are all filled up 🙁 Hopefully course registration won't be as much of an issue for me in the future haha

 

[deleted822674]

So yea... Chem1/calc and then add some easy credits at first and start off with a 4.0!

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely keep it in mind as I alter my schedule! 🙂

 

[deleted822674]

Gen chem 1 and calc are two great classes to get out of the way. Did you already pass out of algebra or can you take it? Easy science gpa boost and gets you into the college rhythm.
I am heavily against the bio + chem for your first semester... you have plenty of time to ramp things up! Chem 1/2 -> Orgo 1/2 -> Biochem is he longest sequence and its great that you are getting that started! Once you feel comfortable with your class load you can add biology and physics into the mix.
Remember to major in what you enjoy! Do well and take the prereqs and you will be fine. Do not overload on ECs at first until you are steady getting 3.7+ GPA semesters. If you arent able to get the ECs in, then you can easily take a gap year for the MCAT and ECs.

There might be a scheduling issue with the nutrition course. Would it be bad to take 3 courses and a few 1 credit hour freshman seminars instead?

 

[drbatsandwich]

When I was first in college long ago I took a bunch of anthropology and linguistics courses because I found them interesting! Unless you really could benefit from the freshman seminars, maybe look into getting your general education humanities requirement over with? You'll need a certain number of "electives" in the end to get a degree, so it won't hurt to take classes that will fulfill general education requirements but aren't necessarily geared towards a premed curriculum (although if you can kill two birds with one stone it'll save time). I even took a 1 credit "advanced swimming" class my first semester because I got 45 min of cardio 4 days a week for a grade. Have fun, and explore things that interest you. Protect your GPA!

 

[Blanky]

There might be a scheduling issue with the nutrition course. Would it be bad to take 3 courses and a few 1 credit hour freshman seminars instead?

Yea bud, anything easy to fill the credits up. You have plenty of time to add psyh/soc classes later.