Is my schedule too easy

[bottlecap1990]

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1st semester
Gen Chem I
World Civ
English 101
College Algebra

2nd semester
Gen Chem II
Gen Bio I
English 102
Trig

Next semester (fall)
Orgo I
Gen Bio II
Pre Calc
Gen psychology

I just finished my second semester and I have gotten all A's in all of them including the 1st semester. I also worked 12-16 hours a week during that time. I just registered for my next semester in fall but do you think it is too easy?

I am planning on taking 3 labs in the spring (Orgo II, Anatomy, Calculus, and physics and maybe an elective)

do you think this is fine?

 

[PharmOl]

I used to work full- time and carry 16-18 credits every semester. It's up to you, of course, but you have to demonstrate ability to succeed at a heavy activity load.

You have to have a Calculus lab? What's that? lol

 

[MoElyassi]

i thinks it's fine.. and yea.. what's calculus? lol

 

[bottlecap1990]

LOL I said I am taking 3 labs (Orgo I, Anatomy physiology, and Physics) but I am also taking calculus I hahaha.

 

[PharmOl]

But seriously, what's your reasoning to have such light load? Don't you want to get all this out of the way sooner?

 

[bottlecap1990]

I do want to get all these things out sooner but I am just scared I will ruin my GPA by getting b's or c's. I would rather do this than having to retake or drop courses.

 

[duckgoquack]

i don't know many other PP student's schedules other than the ones in my school, but when comparing ours, it looks on the lighter side. if you want to compare:

first semester:
calculus
writing (certain class required by my school)
gen chem I
gen bio I
chemistry lab

second semester:
gen chem II
gen bio II
writing
intro. to microeconomics
comparative political economy
pharmacy convocations

fall 2010 semester: (i'm actually trying to take it easy this semester to be free for orgo II and orgo lab in the spring)
organic chemistry I
gen psychology
intro. to macroeconomics
intro. to international relations
elements of physics
>> trying to add basic stat for research (closed right now)

sorry, edit: didn't see you got all A's. if that's the case, you should definitely take more. you can handle it, so why not do it? i'm assuming you weren't studying your butt off this year, and even if you have to study more next year, it'll be worth it. in the future, i'm pretty sure your potential employers are going to look at rigor of courses, or if you still need to get into pharmacy school, the admissions people will also. getting all A's in relatively easy classes isn't as impressive as getting A's and B's in a harder workload.

 

[bottlecap1990]

I really do want to take more but I will also be working (possibly as a tech). Now I am working as a cashier at a drycleaners about 12-16 hours a week. I might juggle two jobs while trying to complete this prereqs. Seriously though, I don't understand why pharmacy school cares how many courses you are taking per semester. I want to be able to understand the materials profoundly and taking a lot of courses at the same time isn't a good idea IMO.

by the way I did study my butt off for chem and bio, not so much for the rest LOL. The math that I took last semester was a 4 hour saturday class but it wasn't bad since its only trig.

I want to try putting in one more course this fall but I don't think there is a time for that. I also go to the gym 3 times a week LOL

 

[kinipela35]

Seriously though, I don't understand why pharmacy school cares how many courses you are taking per semester.

They care because once you are in, you will be taking a heavy courseload of mostly science classes and they want to see if you can handle it and still perform well.

 

[Passion4Sci]

They care because once you are in, you will be taking a heavy courseload of mostly science classes and they want to see if you can handle it and still perform well.

^^

Yep.

Anyone could take pretty much any course and do well in it if it's their only one, or one of only two courses.

The real academic prowess shines through when you carry 16-18 science units with multiple labs and still achieve high Bs/As.

 

[duckgoquack]

Seriously though, I don't understand why pharmacy school cares how many courses you are taking per semester. I want to be able to understand the materials profoundly and taking a lot of courses at the same time isn't a good idea IMO.

i'm really glad you're actually aiming to understand the material, but the problem is that there are people who are taking more than you are and STILL understanding the material just as well - that's the difference your admissions deciders (um, there's probably better word for that) and employers will see in the future.

don't be afraid to add some more for at least one semester. since you seem to grasp how important this is, and have drive, i think you'll make it happen. also, i went to the gym three times a week last semester too 🙂D) and just ran outside the other three days i couldn't make it and still ended up with A's and B's in my classes, so it's definitely possible. (i didn't work at the time, but i pissed away a lot of hours going out or doing nothing, so i think it evens out, lol)

 

[work24]

I used to work full- time and carry 16-18 credits every semester. It's up to you, of course, but you have to demonstrate ability to succeed at a heavy activity load.

You have to have a Calculus lab? What's that? lol

I'm sorry, I just had to ask. How is it logistically possible to carry 16-18 credits if you worked M-F 9-5? Does your school offer a great amount of night classes?

 

[streetpharm1990]

I want to commend you on your intentions but yes it's too easy. You have to be more disciplined and maybe set a schedule for your studying. You have a schedule for class, and a schedule for work. So you need to have a strict study regimen, many people are studying working and raising families. I work part-time carry 17-18 credits per semester, and I'm a single parent of a 2 year old. You know how I do it? I have a schedule. You have to study during your lunch break, in between classes, right after class. Also for example if you get off of work at 7pm; schedule from 8pm-1am everyday. I hope this helps, good luck.

 

[chemguy79]

I'm sorry, I just had to ask. How is it logistically possible to carry 16-18 credits if you worked M-F 9-5? Does your school offer a great amount of night classes?

I worked 40 hours a week in an optometrist office while taking 15-18 credits a semester during undergrad. Fortunately, Chemistry courses were offered TTh during undergrad and I was able to take an 8AM Biology lecture MWF or a section at 530 MW. Online courses are more common now than when I was in undergrad, so it's presumably even easier to accomplish that with respect to scheduling. Whether or not you are successful with that is a much different story, but I managed a 3.4 with a BA in Chemistry while minoring in Biology so it's definitely possible. Of course, most people on SDN are typically more motivated since we're actually seeking out this website, so it may not be a huge surprise that we have pretty involved schedules.

With respect to the OP, your schedule was a bit light for your first two semesters. However, depending on your Organic course it seems about right for the Fall. Organic Chemistry labs can be incredibly long and could require more prep time than your lecture course.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I'm sorry, I just had to ask. How is it logistically possible to carry 16-18 credits if you worked M-F 9-5? Does your school offer a great amount of night classes?

yay for the assumption that "Full time" means 9-5.

Plenty of "full time" employees work split shifts, 4 10s, etc. Typically "full time" just means 40 hours per week, not necessarily where they are, right? Back in undergraduate, I would work 20 hours on Saturday and Sunday alone. Throw in a couple 8s during the week (Perhaps 8 PM to 4 AM? You never know...) and voila, "full time."

Very closed-minded of ya.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

hmmm I'd love for my schedule to be too easy.

 

[work24]

yay for the assumption that "Full time" means 9-5.

Plenty of "full time" employees work split shifts, 4 10s, etc. Typically "full time" just means 40 hours per week, not necessarily where they are, right? Back in undergraduate, I would work 20 hours on Saturday and Sunday alone. Throw in a couple 8s during the week (Perhaps 8 PM to 4 AM? You never know...) and voila, "full time."

Very closed-minded of ya.

no, i am closed-minded or maybe I should have asked "if you were to work M-F 9-5".
i'm so glad you had fun with your attempt to belittle someone over some petty issue. here are some internet props. 👍👍👍👍

 

[Passion4Sci]

no, i am closed-minded or maybe I should have asked "if you were to work M-F 9-5".
i'm so glad you had fun with your attempt to belittle someone over some petty issue. here are some internet props. 👍👍👍👍

No desire or intent to belittle you whatsoever, just to give you a different perspective, since you're accustomed to people working "full time" meaning that they work from 9-5 M-F is all.

No need to have your feelings hurt.