Scheduling Concern

[Gogetterr]

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Hello everyone, I am an incoming pre med and it is time to begin creating my schedule for the Fall. As of now, I have it as
Bio 1/ lab
chem 1/ lab
calculus 1
and possibly english
-13 or 16 hours

* Would doubling up be too much from the start? I have a solid background in Calculus 1 and backgrounds in the two science courses. Is this fine, or should I reconsider? And to keep the english or remove it?

 

[Espressso]

Keep the English, that will be your easy A.

 

[italiancowgirl]

You know yourself, no one can tell you how to be successful. Talk to your advisor and focus on exploring the world and your interests while being successful in your coursework and you can be ready for whatever lies ahead.

 

[Gogetterr]

Thank you two for the responses. I am just concerned about being overwhelmed from the start and not having time to enjoy my freshman year, but I will say that I am a strong science and math student.

 

[Cookiess]

I would do the English class along with Calculus 1 and either Bio 1 with lab or Chem 1 with lab. I wouldn't take both Bio 1 with lab and Chem 1 with lab since it's your first college semester and you want to have to time adjust to college life/classes. If you do well during your freshman fall semester, then you can add on a 4th class for the spring semester but I would start slow at first so you don't overwhelm yourself right at the beginning. Lab classes also tend to be time consuming as well so that's why I would pick either the Bio 1 with lab or Chem 1 with lab, but not both for your freshman fall semester.

 

[MoDiddy]

Currently at a top LAC and took Biology I and Chem I + Labs in the fall.. Had no strong background in either Biology or Chem and finished with A's in both. It's not going to be easy but the key is to review the material everyday and really stay on top of it. You can do it!

 

[Gogetterr]

Hmm thanks guys. The problem is bio isn't offered in the spring and if I were to postpone chem, I would fall behind on the chem sequence for the MCAT. Thoughts?

 

[confidentandgood]

Two questions:
- Does your college accept AP/IB credit for Calculus I?
- Is it possible to take Calculus as a summer course?

Either way, I wouldn't postpone Chem. Many of its concepts carry into Orgo. I think Chem and Bio are doable, even with the extra work of two labs, if you have a strong background in both. However, remember that you are adjusting to a new environment, and work or extracurricular activities (if you are looking into either) should also be taken into account.

If you do choose to stick to the schedule you have now, and the workload becomes too great, definitely withdraw from whatever you need to before it has an effect (at my college, if you withdraw from a course before a certain deadline, a "W" won't appear on your transcript). If you pull through with everything and aren't happy with your final GPA, consider a lighter workload for the spring semester.