Is this too much for Freshman year?

[seals44]

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With undergrad starting in a couple weeks, I just wanted to run my schedule by some more experienced people to see if I'm being too idealistic.

Going into my "freshman" year, I have 34 credits from a much easier state school during high school, at a 4.0 GPA. That includes A's in classes such as calculus 1, but I am questioning how much that can be an indicator of success at my new university, as the calc I took was easier than AP calc, etc. I think I am going to try to graduate in 3 years at my new institution, and also get in on the old MCAT.

With that said, my schedule is as follows:

Bio 1 - 3 credits
Bio 1 Lab - 1 credit
Chem 1 - 3 credits
Chem 1 Lab - 1 credit
Physics 1 - 3 credits
Japanese 1 - 5 credits

A note: I have studied Japanese on my own quite a bit and have seen the department. I know for a near fact that the class will be very little to no work at all for me, except for the time commitment of going to recitations.

I also plan to do a bit of research, as well as start an EC.

Is it possible to get a 3.7+ in this semester and still have a decently active social life? I know it depends greatly upon the individual, study effectiveness, etc, but I'm looking to see if it's possible period, and if anybody here has done it. Any general advice is welcome.

 

[Mornhavon]

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[Josh7]

With undergrad starting in a couple weeks, I just wanted to run my schedule by some more experienced people to see if I'm being too idealistic.

Going into my "freshman" year, I have 34 credits from a much easier state school during high school, at a 4.0 GPA. That includes A's in classes such as calculus 1, but I am questioning how much that can be an indicator of success at my new university, as the calc I took was easier than AP calc, etc. I think I am going to try to graduate in 3 years at my new institution, and also get in on the old MCAT.

With that said, my schedule is as follows:

Bio 1 - 3 credits
Bio 1 Lab - 1 credit
Chem 1 - 3 credits
Chem 1 Lab - 1 credit
Physics 1 - 3 credits
Japanese 1 - 5 credits

A note: I have studied Japanese on my own quite a bit and have seen the department. I know for a near fact that the class will be very little to no work at all for me, except for the time commitment of going to recitations.

I also plan to do a bit of research, as well as start an EC.

Is it possible to get a 3.7+ in this semester and still have a decently active social life? I know it depends greatly upon the individual, study effectiveness, etc, but I'm looking to see if it's possible period, and if anybody here has done it. Any general advice is welcome.

I'll say to you what I say to everyone. If you are good at studying and put forth enough effort you should have no problem with those courses. That looks like a pretty typical freshmen year course; maybe slightly harder than average. You should still be able to have an active social life...

 

[Bcranger]

Certainly possible. Have you taken biology, chemistry, physics in high school? I arrived at undergrad with AP credits for all the core sciences but decided to retake them all for 1) A good review of the material and 2) to placate med schools that prefer applicants to take the college course as the standard of AP courses varies a lot across the nation.

I ended up taking bio, chem, physics all 3 with labs, a scientific writing course, and an honors research applications course. The semester was a breeze for me, hardly any studying required. In addition to the courses, I started up research with about 16 hrs/wk average and a few other EC involvements, including a good 15 hrs/wk at the rec center.

Now if you have not taken bio, chem, and physics in high school, then it may be a rough semester for you. All my peers thought it crazy to take 3 sciences with labs first semester of freshman year (and they still do so it really depends on your background IMO). Eventually though you will probably end up taking more than 3 science courses a semester so I don't see anything wrong with your schedule besides alloting space for transitioning into the college life 😉

 

[seals44]

Are you a Super Saiyan?

The sad thing is that, as a planned Japanese major, I had to look up what that meant. Not really into anime/manga haha.

Certainly possible. Have you taken biology, chemistry, physics in high school? I arrived at undergrad with AP credits for all the core sciences but decided to retake them all for 1) A good review of the material and 2) to placate med schools that prefer applicants to take the college course as the standard of AP courses varies a lot across the nation.

I ended up taking bio, chem, physics all 3 with labs, a scientific writing course, and an honors research applications course. The semester was a breeze for me, hardly any studying required. In addition to the courses, I started up research with about 16 hrs/wk average and a few other EC involvements, including a good 15 hrs/wk at the rec center.

Now if you have not taken bio, chem, and physics in high school, then it may be a rough semester for you. All my peers thought it crazy to take 3 sciences with labs first semester of freshman year (and they still do so it really depends on your background IMO). Eventually though you will probably end up taking more than 3 science courses a semester so I don't see anything wrong with your schedule besides alloting space for transitioning into the college life 😉

I have taken all three, but most were sophomore/junior year, and to be totally honest, I have forgotten nearly everything.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Dude you're fine, especially if you're committed to studying.

I might drop the physics though, but it really depends on who you are.

 

[Genetixx]

I agree with dropping Physics. Maybe replace it with an extracurricular course instead to harness your studying habits (if you want to play it safe). I don't really see a need to take all three courses at once since you're a freshman.

If you're in a hurry for whatever reason, this is a doable but tougher than average schedule. Remember: one of your main priorities as a pre-med should be to get the highest grades possible and not so much to finish as fast as possible. So make sure you're balanced, don't rush, and aim for those A's!

 

[AdrianVeidt]

If you don't know what Super Saiyan is, I suggest you drop at least one of those classes and use that time slot to recover your lost childhood by watching Dragon Ball Z.

 

[Bcranger]

Biology will likely be your biggest time commitment if you have forgotten everything. And biology is probably the one you want to retain the most information from for the MCAT. It's a lot easier to cram the chemistry/physics although ideally you should be familiar with all 3 subjects so well that you do not need more than a brief content review for verification purposes the summer before taking the MCAT.

It really depends on your major(s) and 4 year plan. I think if you think you can handle it, it would be a good idea to take all three freshman year so you can have a long time after taking the class where you simply review and review. If you are keen on taking the class and forgetting everything, then it may be better to take the courses down the road...

 

[vsankuratri]

If you don't know what Super Saiyan is, I suggest you drop at least one of those classes and use that time slot to recover your lost childhood by watching Dragon Ball Z.

+1 No Dragon Ball Z at all? Next you're going to tell us you never watched Power Rangers.

 

[Josh7]

If you don't know what Super Saiyan is, I suggest you drop at least one of those classes and use that time slot to recover your lost childhood by watching Dragon Ball Z.

Pretty solid advice here.

 

[deleted393595]

With undergrad starting in a couple weeks, I just wanted to run my schedule by some more experienced people to see if I'm being too idealistic.

Going into my "freshman" year, I have 34 credits from a much easier state school during high school, at a 4.0 GPA. That includes A's in classes such as calculus 1, but I am questioning how much that can be an indicator of success at my new university, as the calc I took was easier than AP calc, etc. I think I am going to try to graduate in 3 years at my new institution, and also get in on the old MCAT.

With that said, my schedule is as follows:

Bio 1 - 3 credits
Bio 1 Lab - 1 credit
Chem 1 - 3 credits
Chem 1 Lab - 1 credit
Physics 1 - 3 credits
Japanese 1 - 5 credits

A note: I have studied Japanese on my own quite a bit and have seen the department. I know for a near fact that the class will be very little to no work at all for me, except for the time commitment of going to recitations.

I also plan to do a bit of research, as well as start an EC.

Is it possible to get a 3.7+ in this semester and still have a decently active social life? I know it depends greatly upon the individual, study effectiveness, etc, but I'm looking to see if it's possible period, and if anybody here has done it. Any general advice is welcome.

Not bad

 

[TrojanBacteria]

With undergrad starting in a couple weeks, I just wanted to run my schedule by some more experienced people to see if I'm being too idealistic.

Going into my "freshman" year, I have 34 credits from a much easier state school during high school, at a 4.0 GPA. That includes A's in classes such as calculus 1, but I am questioning how much that can be an indicator of success at my new university, as the calc I took was easier than AP calc, etc. I think I am going to try to graduate in 3 years at my new institution, and also get in on the old MCAT.

With that said, my schedule is as follows:

Bio 1 - 3 credits
Bio 1 Lab - 1 credit
Chem 1 - 3 credits
Chem 1 Lab - 1 credit
Physics 1 - 3 credits
Japanese 1 - 5 credits

A note: I have studied Japanese on my own quite a bit and have seen the department. I know for a near fact that the class will be very little to no work at all for me, except for the time commitment of going to recitations.

I also plan to do a bit of research, as well as start an EC.

Is it possible to get a 3.7+ in this semester and still have a decently active social life? I know it depends greatly upon the individual, study effectiveness, etc, but I'm looking to see if it's possible period, and if anybody here has done it. Any general advice is welcome.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want to graduate in 3 years? Unless you have a specific reason to, it's usually better to have that extra year for activities and coursework. If you want to avoid the new MCAT, you could always just prep for it earlier and take it before 2015 without having to breeze through college.

Your schedule actually doesn't look too bad. Especially since that Japanese class will be easy for you. You only have 2 labs, which is busy but manageable. As a science major, I've gone through 2 labs every semester successfully so far (possibly 3 next spring, yuck!) so it's definitely do-able. It might be tough to juggle that with research and ECs for your first year though. My suggestion is to go ahead with your plans and if you feel that it's too much once school starts, you'll just have to drop a few things. Classes are your priority.

 

[SBuck53]

With undergrad starting in a couple weeks, I just wanted to run my schedule by some more experienced people to see if I'm being too idealistic.

Going into my "freshman" year, I have 34 credits from a much easier state school during high school, at a 4.0 GPA. That includes A's in classes such as calculus 1, but I am questioning how much that can be an indicator of success at my new university, as the calc I took was easier than AP calc, etc. I think I am going to try to graduate in 3 years at my new institution, and also get in on the old MCAT.

With that said, my schedule is as follows:

Bio 1 - 3 credits
Bio 1 Lab - 1 credit
Chem 1 - 3 credits
Chem 1 Lab - 1 credit
Physics 1 - 3 credits
Japanese 1 - 5 credits

A note: I have studied Japanese on my own quite a bit and have seen the department. I know for a near fact that the class will be very little to no work at all for me, except for the time commitment of going to recitations.

I also plan to do a bit of research, as well as start an EC.

Is it possible to get a 3.7+ in this semester and still have a decently active social life? I know it depends greatly upon the individual, study effectiveness, etc, but I'm looking to see if it's possible period, and if anybody here has done it. Any general advice is welcome.

My personal advice, and this is nothing against you, would be to drop one of those courses in favor of some extra time.

Depending on the type of person you are, transitioning to a full time college class schedule as well as adjusting to life in college might take a bit of time, and taking a bit of pressure off of your first semester classes might be good.

Totally your call though if you feel pretty well prepapred, just my two cents

 

[MossyFiber]

Do you care if you get Bs? Because you probably will.

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you don't know what Super Saiyan is, I suggest you drop at least one of those classes and use that time slot to recover your lost childhood by watching Dragon Ball Z.

Yeah, if you don't have basic japanese vocabulary like kamehameha, Namek, and Beeg Ban Attak!, there is no way you are going to be able to handle it.

 

[Bcranger]

Valid point here ^^

 

[seals44]

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want to graduate in 3 years? Unless you have a specific reason to, it's usually better to have that extra year for activities and coursework. If you want to avoid the new MCAT, you could always just prep for it earlier and take it before 2015 without having to breeze through college.

Your schedule actually doesn't look too bad. Especially since that Japanese class will be easy for you. You only have 2 labs, which is busy but manageable. As a science major, I've gone through 2 labs every semester successfully so far (possibly 3 next spring, yuck!) so it's definitely do-able. It might be tough to juggle that with research and ECs for your first year though. My suggestion is to go ahead with your plans and if you feel that it's too much once school starts, you'll just have to drop a few things. Classes are your priority.

I am fortunate enough to have my 4 years of undergrad financially covered by my parents, but if I can complete it in 3 years, I get to keep that extra ~$25,000 and apply it to med school, which will not be covered. And I've been considering a gap year too. But primarily, it would be that huge financial benefit.

 

[tn4596]

Yea graduate in 3 years and use that money to travel in your gap years, you will have plenty of time in college for ECs if you don't have to work.

 

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

Dude, skip the Japanese unless you want to meet more weabboos than you can count on your hand. If you don't know what a super saiyan is, prepare your body because you might become one...FIRST DAY OF CLASS.

 

[seals44]

Dude, skip the Japanese unless you want to meet more weabboos than you can count on your hand. If you don't know what a super saiyan is, prepare your body because you might become one...FIRST DAY OF CLASS.

I know, that's the only thing I'm not looking forward to. I don't plan on hanging out with anybody in my major haha.

 

[fmannan93]

I know, that's the only thing I'm not looking forward to. I don't plan on hanging out with anybody in my major haha.

Dude, that's not cool. You can never be a doctor with that kind of attitude.

Same for SpaceHamsterBoo

 

[fmannan93]

But, in response to the OP, it certainly is possible.

I took Chem 2, Evolution (300 level BIO), and Genetics (300 level BIO) all last spring (of my freshman year) with labs, 18 hours total. (I also pledged a fraternity!)

I finished with a 3.889 GPA, higher than my 16-hour first semester (3.76 GPA).

Ration your time well and study hard. As for my social life, pledging a fraternity speaks fro itself.

 

[advair250]

Did I read something wrong? But he's only taking 4 courses, sure Japansese has more credits for it, so we'll say 4.5 courses. Two labs is nothing to worry about either, there a little bit of work but generally free marks if you show up and aren't hungover.

How is that a harder than average course load? That is average, if not less.

I hope you are all kidding when you're telling this guy he'll have no life, or get B's ect ect.


To the OP, that is not a bad term at ALL. Don't be scared or worried by what the other posters are saying, you'll be perfectly fine with plenty of time outside class for EC's and having a social life.

 

[omare61]

Guys, I am kinda scared now. My schedule is similar and it is in a tier 3 state school:

Bio 101 (3)
Bio Lab (1)
Chem 101 (3)
Chem lab (1)
Calculus 101 (3)
Communications (3)
University college (1)

is this too much in your eyes? I know many people from my university with this same schedule. I am trying to get Straight A's.

 

[advair250]

@Fmannan93, am I missing something? You also only took 3 classes with labs, are you considering that a hard term?

I am so very confused now, not to be flaming or calling anyone out on purpose, just super confused LOL.

 

[advair250]

@omare61

No that is perfectly fine, at my university, that is perfectly standard. You're load is actually less, since that's really only 4 classes + 1credit seminar(University college)

 

[fmannan93]

@Fmannan93, am I missing something? You also only took 3 classes with labs, are you considering that a hard term?

I am so very confused now, not to be flaming or calling anyone out on purpose, just super confused LOL.

I'm sorry for the confusion.

I took 6 courses total. I was highlighting those three courses because they were each 4 hour hard sciences.

I also took a 3 hour Honors course (Medieval/Renaissance Philosophy), 2 hour Chem lab, and a 2 two hour social psychology course.

I took 18 hours total.

 

[fmannan93]

Guys, I am kinda scared now. My schedule is similar and it is in a tier 3 state school:

Bio 101 (3)
Bio Lab (1)
Chem 101 (3)
Chem lab (1)
Calculus 101 (3)
Communications (3)
University college (1)

is this too much in your eyes? I know many people from my university with this same schedule. I am trying to get Straight A's.

That is a pretty standard first semester schedule. It certainly is possible to get straight A's. Like I said before, ration your time well.

 

[funtertaining15]

With undergrad starting in a couple weeks, I just wanted to run my schedule by some more experienced people to see if I'm being too idealistic.

Going into my "freshman" year, I have 34 credits from a much easier state school during high school, at a 4.0 GPA. That includes A's in classes such as calculus 1, but I am questioning how much that can be an indicator of success at my new university, as the calc I took was easier than AP calc, etc. I think I am going to try to graduate in 3 years at my new institution, and also get in on the old MCAT.

With that said, my schedule is as follows:

Bio 1 - 3 credits
Bio 1 Lab - 1 credit
Chem 1 - 3 credits
Chem 1 Lab - 1 credit
Physics 1 - 3 credits
Japanese 1 - 5 credits

A note: I have studied Japanese on my own quite a bit and have seen the department. I know for a near fact that the class will be very little to no work at all for me, except for the time commitment of going to recitations.

I also plan to do a bit of research, as well as start an EC.

Is it possible to get a 3.7+ in this semester and still have a decently active social life? I know it depends greatly upon the individual, study effectiveness, etc, but I'm looking to see if it's possible period, and if anybody here has done it. Any general advice is welcome.

Well, if you have a good background in Chem, Bio, and Physics, I guess it's doable, but I would replace one of those sciences with another requirement. I agree w/ dropping Physics. At my school, taking those 3 sciences would be overkill, but that's just my school.). I took two sciences my first year; my first semester was bad; I did much, much better second semester, but I've talked with pre-health mentors and was advised not to take too many sciences if you don't have a really good backgound in them or AP credit of 4+. I don't know how rigorous your classes will be, but my gen chem class was just bad, as the average grade in the course was a C+, but if you read reviews and get some insight on the professors and the courseload, you might be able to pull it off. Adding reseach and and EC would make for a very tight schedule, so just think about what you really want to do and how you want to do it. Talk to an advisor and see if he/she can help with that. 🙂

 

[advair250]

@fmannan That makes MUCH more sense haha, I was like...what is the world coming to?!

As an anecdote, at my school the following is a pretty standard freshman science student schedule:

Biol1 w/lab
Gen chem 1 w/lab
Phys 1 w/lab
Calc 1
Elective(usually english, or some other arts requirment)

That is considered standard, and many pre-meds opt to do more (esp if they want to do honours ect).

 

[fmannan93]

Also, to OP.

わたしも日本語をべんきょうしますよ！　

 

[BadgerBadger]

Also, to OP.

わたしも日本語をべんきょうしますよ！　

I can only hope that is a complex sentence of ill-meaning and derogatory statements.