Potential 4 year schedule... thoughts? ??

[PreMedBball23]

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Hello I will be attending a state school in the midwest as well as play basketball there (Division 3) and will major in Biomedical science. Does any have any thoughts on the following 4 year schedule. I apologize if this is a repeat post I just needed an answer


Freshman fall:
General chem 1
Precal
English 1
Art appreciation

Spring
General chem 2
General bio 1
Calc 1
Oral speaking

Summer:History 101

Soph Fall
Orgo chem 1
Organismal bio
Statistics
Sociology


Spring
Orgo chem 2
Ecology
Genetics music appreciation

Summer: Health

Junior fall
Physics 1 (Algebra)
Fundamental BioChem
Anatomy & Physiology 1
General psychology

Spring
Physics 2 (Algebra)
Cell bio
A&P 2
Intro to ethics


Senior fall
Evolution
Bio of cancer
English 2
Analytical chemistry

Spring
World culture
Biology Research
Immunology
Bio capstone seminar
Adv nutrition

 

[philosonista]

Unless you throroughly looked through the times at which these are typically offered, prepare for time conflicts that will make you have to improvise.

It might be more effective to have a general idea. Like first year gen chem, second year orgo. Then the rest of your requirements go onto a list that you work to fit in when they fit your schedule/make a balanced semester.

I've been a big spreadsheet fan planner for years, but my plans always come undone when the times are finally announced.

 

[vellez]

Not even the best advisor can plan out your whole college schedule this far in advance. Things change, courses spontaneously change semester...people change majors.

 

[xerei]

I love science. I love taking science classes. I want to learn as much science as I can. But your schedule looks so, so, so boring. Entire semesters where you're only taking science classes? Props if you can handle that. But oh my word.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

Physics, A&P, and biochem together... fun. Don't forget to account for all the labs. 3 labs at one time, along with that psych class will be pretty difficult especially if you are a DIII athlete. Have you taken into consideration summer training that might be involved that could conflict with your class plans? or travel for games that might conflict with lab dates which you can't make up? either way, i guarantee you 100% that schedule will change so don't bank on it.

 

[PreMedBball23]

I love science. I love taking science classes. I want to learn as much science as I can. But your schedule looks so, so, so boring. Entire semesters where you're only taking science classes? Props if you can handle that. But oh my word.

Do you suggest I change something? Drop genetics or cell biology?

 

[PreMedBball23]

Physics, A&P, and biochem together... fun. Don't forget to account for all the labs. 3 labs at one time, along with that psych class will be pretty difficult especially if you are a DIII athlete. Have you taken into consideration summer training that might be involved that could conflict with your class plans? or travel for games that might conflict with lab dates which you can't make up? either way, i guarantee you 100% that schedule will change so don't bank on it.

Will that be hard considering it is intro biochem and algebra physics? Should i drop cell biology or genetics?

 

[genericpremedstudent]

Will that be hard considering it is intro biochem and algebra physics? Should i drop cell biology or genetics?

This is what an advisor is for. I don't know anything about your school, the difficulty of classes, how hard they are to schedule, etc. It is so far in advance that its not even worth worrying about.

 

[md-2020]

This schedule looks brutal tbh.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

personally, if this were me, and I was an athlete, I would pursue some sort of liberal arts degree. One that doesn't have such a large impact on my sGPA and has less labs and is more conducive to the busy schedule of an athlete.

 

[tessellations]

Ultimately your schedule is up to you. I myself am a biochemistry major and will have a brutal schedule at times because of my requirements. That being said, I am not a student athlete, and time management is a strong suit of mine. Your schedule will likely change, especially as you realize your strengths (and have to deal with availabilities), and you might find yourself getting interested in an entirely different field. Don't pigeonhole yourself so quickly. Planning is not a crime, and it's a good thing to do, but be realistic. If taking a bunch of science courses thrills you, and you know you will be successful in them - go for it. But if you're doubting yourself, reevaluate.

That being said, what are your requirements? Are some of the science classes just ones you want to take? You might want to drop some if that's the case. In the end though, one man's brutal is another man's dream schedule. I'm taking three science courses next semester, and I'm pretty excited. Do what works for you. Feel it out this upcoming year.

 

[heebeejeebies]

I've heard about "having a 5 year plan", but wow.

 

[PreMedBball23]

Ultimately your schedule is up to you. I myself am a biochemistry major and will have a brutal schedule at times because of my requirements. That being said, I am not a student athlete, and time management is a strong suit of mine. Your schedule will likely change, especially as you realize your strengths (and have to deal with availabilities), and you might find yourself getting interested in an entirely different field. Don't pigeonhole yourself so quickly. Planning is not a crime, and it's a good thing to do, but be realistic. If taking a bunch of science courses thrills you, and you know you will be successful in them - go for it. But if you're doubting yourself, reevaluate.

That being said, what are your requirements? Are some of the science classes just ones you want to take? You might want to drop some if that's the case. In the end though, one man's brutal is another man's dream schedule. I'm taking three science courses next semester, and I'm pretty excited. Do what works for you. Feel it out this upcoming year.

All of those classes I'm pretty sure I have to take except cell bio or genetics I can choose either or. I think what looks like to much of is my junior year even though the physics class is algebra based and the bio chem is fundamental. The only labs my senior year are in analytical chemistry.

 

[PreMedBball23]

I've heard about "having a 5 year plan", but wow.

Lol what part looks overwhelming in your opinion

 

[PreMedBball23]

This schedule looks brutal tbh.

Which part or years?

 

[md-2020]

All of it bro. You're seriously stacking on some BCPM classes. Add in the fact that you want to be an athlete (idk about DIII but DI that in of itself was a major's time commitment) and holding a med-school worthy GPA will be incredibly amazing. Good luck.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

Where are you going to find time to volunteer and shadow doctors in that busy class schedule and training/game schedule?

 

[G.NA]

Lol what part looks overwhelming in your opinion

the entire idea of planning out your schedule for all 4 years before your freshman year has even started is ridiculous. not overwhelming, but ridiculous. re: what everyone else has said.
Post all you like about this but if your plans do not drastically change by January I will post a picture of me eating a banana on a headstand. srsly don’t be that gunner, plan out year 1 first.

 

[md-2020]

the entire idea of planning out your schedule for all 4 years before your freshman year has even started is ridiculous. not overwhelming, but ridiculous. re: what everyone else has said.
Post all you like about this but if your plans do not drastically change by January I will post a picture of me eating a banana on a headstand. srsly don’t be that gunner, plan out year 1 first.

People like the OP might actually take you up on that bet lol

 

[Lancer]

the entire idea of planning out your schedule for all 4 years before your freshman year has even started is ridiculous. not overwhelming, but ridiculous. re: what everyone else has said.
Post all you like about this but if your plans do not drastically change by January I will post a picture of me eating a banana on a headstand. srsly don’t be that gunner, plan out year 1 first.

This. Always leave flexibility

I never understand the ones who try to plan out their whole 4-year schedule freshman year. They're usually no longer premed after sophomore year

 

[heebeejeebies]

Lol what part looks overwhelming in your opinion

Not overwhelming, just a little naive. Plan your first year, speak to advisors and upper year students about courses and professors and adjust accordingly.

It's good that you're looking ahead, but by January of first year I had adjusted a lot in my approach.

 

[G.NA]

People like the OP might actually take you up on that bet lol

I know. looking forward to it. My hair looks really good on a headstand. more volume than i could ever hope to achieve otherwise... *swoons*

 

[tessellations]

All of those classes I'm pretty sure I have to take except cell bio or genetics I can choose either or. I think what looks like to much of is my junior year even though the physics class is algebra based and the bio chem is fundamental. The only labs my senior year are in analytical chemistry.

Take genetics, drop cell bio, and take an easier class instead. If you're not taking a gap year, you will likely start studying for your MCAT spring of your junior year, so save yourself a lot of time and effort then especially.

Our schedules are fairly similar to be honest, but you have the extra struggle of being a student athlete. Your summers are going to be CRUCIAL times to get clinical experience and do things such as shadow doctors. Volunteering though I feel is better left for the school year if you can swing it. And remember you are going to need to leave time for research on top of your class schedule. Ultimately, keep your GPA up. You are going to have it harder than most, but if you have good time management skills, and understand that you might not have as much time for socializing, it's doable. But you are going to evaluate if that's worth it for you. In my opinion, an important part of college is having fun along with the academics, but you'll have to figure that all out yourself. You've got time.

 

[PreMedBball23]

All of it bro. You're seriously stacking on some BCPM classes. Add in the fact that you want to be an athlete (idk about DIII but DI that in of itself was a major's time commitment) and holding a med-school worthy GPA will be incredibly amazing. Good luck.

D3 is no where near as time consuming as D1. Do u have any suggestions.

 

[PreMedBball23]

the entire idea of planning out your schedule for all 4 years before your freshman year has even started is ridiculous. not overwhelming, but ridiculous. re: what everyone else has said.
Post all you like about this but if your plans do not drastically change by January I will post a picture of me eating a banana on a headstand. srsly don’t be that gunner, plan out year 1 first.

Not necessarily my 4 year schedule just seeing what classes would be good to take and when. And that's cool

 

[md-2020]

D3 is no where near as time consuming as D1. Do u have any suggestions.

Major in something you enjoy. Nowadays almost half of the matriculating medical student population is not a natural sciences major, so don't choose a field of study solely for med school. Also, have fun in college.

 

[PreMedBball23]

Major in something you enjoy. Nowadays almost half of the matriculating medical student population is not a natural sciences major, so don't choose a field of study solely for med school. Also, have fun in college.

I sorta enjiy biology bjt I don't know which would be a bit easier between biomed and biology? Also should I take bio 1 and chem 1 together?

 

[genericpremedstudent]

D3 is no where near as time consuming as D1. Do u have any suggestions.

I was going to try out for my schools hockey team, which is just a club team, and even that schedule was too much. The travel would not have worked with any of my labs, which at my school account for 1/3rd of your grade in whatever class they are in. I'm sure the D3 schedule will be busier than a club team schedule.

 

[tessellations]

I sorta enjiy biology bjt I don't know which would be a bit easier between biomed and biology? Also should I take bio 1 and chem 1 together?

I took em' together and it was fine. But don't feel pressured into it if you feel like that won't work for you. As for your major, picking a major because it's easier seems like a surefire way to end up regretting it. Do what you love, because you are much more likely to succeed. If that requires you to try and take a few other classes, then do it. You don't have to be declared right out the gate. Also, sort of enjoy biology? Considering how much of a role biology plays in medicine I hope your understating your interest.

 

[PreMedBball23]

I took em' together and it was fine. But don't feel pressured into it if you feel like that won't work for you. As for your major, picking a major because it's easier seems like a surefire way to end up regretting it. Do what you love, because you are much more likely to succeed. If that requires you to try and take a few other classes, then do it. You don't have to be declared right out the gate. Also, sort of enjoy biology? Considering how much of a role biology plays in medicine I hope your understating your interest.

You didn't think it was overwhelming as a first semester for your first year? And I was understating it I like biology alot minus the plants but in this case they are both in the same department so I just want to pick one that's a bit easier considering at my school both majors take the same classes almost identically except for like A&P, analytical chem etc.

 

[tessellations]

You didn't think it was overwhelming as a first semester for your first year? And I was understating it I like biology alot minus the plants but in this case they are both in the same department so I just want to pick one that's a bit easier considering at my school both majors take the same classes almost identically except for like A&P, analytical chem etc.

I didn't. But I really like both chemistry and biology and had a good foundation in both from high school (I took AP Bio and Honors Chemistry). Don't blame you on the plants front, though, I hate plant biology. As for major, it depends on your preference. Some people find A&P helpful for the MCAT while others really don't. And if you aren't as thrilled by chemistry, analytical chemistry might not be enjoyable for you.