Community college freshman year courses help

[icanandiwillbeadoctor]

Hi, I am attending community college in the fall and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on what classes to take? Right now on my list, I have Gen bio w/lab, Gen chem w/lab, Precalc, and Psych. I initially thought this was too few classes, but I am graduating hs this year so I don't know what college will be like and I don't want to overwhelm myself. I did take English 101 this spring semester while in high school and received an A. I am also taking a CNA class this summer to work part-time in the fall. If you have any advice or feedback to give me at any time please don't hesitate to tell me. I turned down my top choice because I would've been 30k in debt and to me, that wasn't worth it. Now I am in this scholarship program where I do two years at cc and transfer to one of their partner schools and my whole undergrad will be free. My family isn't supportive and it hurts a lot, but I made the right decision for myself. My advisor isn't of much help, but I have been trying to do as much research as I can so I can be successful. Thank you and stay safe

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[deleted1005514]

Your class list seems fine...why did you post this in the non- forum and not in the pre-med forum though? it will be seen by more people in the right place, and you’ll get better advice if it’s seen more.

What isn’t your family supportive about?

 

[icanandiwillbeadoctor]

Your class list seems fine...why did you post this in the non- forum and not in the pre-med forum though? it will be seen by more people in the right place, and you’ll get better advice if it’s seen more.

What isn’t your family supportive about?

I'm not so familiar with the forums so my apologies if I'm in the wrong one. My family isn't supportive because my hs career wasn't the best due to PTSD and they don't think that I can be successful. Honestly, I wasn't even supposed to graduate because I spent a lot of time in Intensive treatment and missed a lot of school, but I made a promise to myself that I would. I have a twin and they are happier for him than me. Although I got in just as many good schools and even graduated with a 3.6 GPA they never acknowledge my accomplishments and treat me as an outcast.

 

[deleted1005514]

I'm not so familiar with the forums so my apologies if I'm in the wrong one. My family isn't supportive because my hs career wasn't the best due to PTSD and they don't think that I can be successful. Honestly, I wasn't even supposed to graduate because I spent a lot of time in Intensive treatment and missed a lot of school, but I made a promise to myself that I would. I have a twin and they are happier for him than me. Although I got in just as many good schools and even graduated with a 3.6 GPA they never acknowledge my accomplishments and treat me as an outcast.

No problem, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something you might need to be advised on.

I’m sorry for your family’s response to your achievements. That can be very tough, but it’s good that you pulled through your ptsd and came out successful in the end. I hope you are continuing therapy, as during college stress things tend to resurface.

 

[icanandiwillbeadoctor]

No problem, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something you might need to be advised on.

I’m sorry for your family’s response to your achievements. That can be very tough, but it’s good that you pulled through your ptsd and came out successful in the end. I hope you are continuing therapy, as during college stress things tend to resurface.

Thank you for your empathy. I am still in therapy and will continue for a while. It's something that has drastically helped and I appreciate the little support I do have.

 

[jhmmd]

Hi, I am attending community college in the fall and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on what classes to take? Right now on my list, I have Gen bio w/lab, Gen chem w/lab, Precalc, and Psych. I initially thought this was too few classes, but I am graduating hs this year so I don't know what college will be like and I don't want to overwhelm myself. I did take English 101 this spring semester while in high school and received an A. I am also taking a CNA class this summer to work part-time in the fall. If you have any advice or feedback to give me at any time please don't hesitate to tell me. I turned down my top choice because I would've been 30k in debt and to me, that wasn't worth it. Now I am in this scholarship program where I do two years at cc and transfer to one of their partner schools and my whole undergrad will be free. My family isn't supportive and it hurts a lot, but I made the right decision for myself. My advisor isn't of much help, but I have been trying to do as much research as I can so I can be successful. Thank you and stay safe

Hi @icanandiwillbeadoctor, this seems like a good course load--gen chem and bio are a lot all by themselves, and pre-calc will be challenging too. A pyschology class should balance it out.

Are you sure that you want to be a CNA? 'Cause the work that doctors do is not very similar to what nurses do...be sure that you want to do research before committing to it. There are many types of research and it is pretty much a requirement these days; if you find the right type of research/the right professor it might be more rewarding. If you're interested in psychology as well as medicine you might like neuroscience research.

Make sure to get a LOR from your research professor; again the adage is that it's pointless to do research w/out a research LOR--it just plain doesn't look good to put research on your resume w/out a LOR.

Be sure to budget time in undergrad for a MCAT prep class as the MCAT is just as crucial as your GPA. FWIW, 4 courses/semester is NOT too little--I've taken as few as 3 courses a semester and that worked for me. You don't want to overwhelm yourself. 3-4 classes a semester should be just fine. Good luck! 🙂

 

[icanandiwillbeadoctor]

Hi, thank you for your reply! I am sure that I want to be a CNA. I understand that the work isn't similar, but I think it's important to have that experience. I will gain more empathy and compassion and see things from a different perspective. I will be looking into research and hope to start sometime within my first semester. I will be sure to get a LOR so thank you for that. I will make sure to prep and I actually want to ease myself in the summer of my sophomore year. I really appreciate your advice and you shared lots of good tips that I will be sure to follow. Have a nice one and stay safe!

 

[jhmmd]

No problem@icanandiwillbeadoctor. Just FYI, you don't have to be in nursing to develop compassion and empathy. Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions.

 

[DO_or_Die]

Hi, I am attending community college in the fall and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on what classes to take? Right now on my list, I have Gen bio w/lab, Gen chem w/lab, Precalc, and Psych. I initially thought this was too few classes, but I am graduating hs this year so I don't know what college will be like and I don't want to overwhelm myself. I did take English 101 this spring semester while in high school and received an A. I am also taking a CNA class this summer to work part-time in the fall. If you have any advice or feedback to give me at any time please don't hesitate to tell me. I turned down my top choice because I would've been 30k in debt and to me, that wasn't worth it. Now I am in this scholarship program where I do two years at cc and transfer to one of their partner schools and my whole undergrad will be free. My family isn't supportive and it hurts a lot, but I made the right decision for myself. My advisor isn't of much help, but I have been trying to do as much research as I can so I can be successful. Thank you and stay safe

I think that course load is fine as long as you're already strong in math as pre-calc/chemistry is a lot of math. Gen bio is a time sink for memorization. If you do start working I would recommend that you not work more than part time just so that you can acclimate to the pace of college and get all A's.

 

[jhmmd]

I think that course load is fine as long as you're already strong in math as pre-calc/chemistry is a lot of math. Gen bio is a time sink for memorization. If you do start working I would recommend that you not work more than part time just so that you can acclimate to the pace of college and get all A's.

Would agree with this. Doctors need strong math skills.