Sophomore schedule...too much?

[neature]

I am a rising sophomore and am trying to finalize my schedule for next year. I thought I had my schedule figured out (which is a difficult feat at a small school with limited class options), but have been told that it is too difficult.
Side note: I am a bio major and minoring in chem and religion

Fall
Cell bio
Organic chem I
Calc-based physics I
Independent study in religion (requires 30+ page research paper)

Spring
Organic chem II
Calc-based physics II
Biochem
Religion course (with community service requirement)

What do you think? I know that it will not be an easy year, but is it really too difficult/ambitious? I will also be volunteering at 3 hospitals (varies between 8 and 12 hours a week) and working at a nursing home (only 4 hours every other week so I have time to study).

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[DocJuan]

Depends on your study habits? This seems like a pretty normal schedule. The 30+ page research paper seems a bit much though. Is it a thesis class?

 

[neature]

Depends on your study habits? This seems like a pretty normal schedule. The 30+ page research paper seems a bit much though. Is it a thesis class?

It is not a thesis class, but rather just an independent study that a professor offered for me in which we will be exploring the relationship between religion and medicine. The long research paper is just part of the independent study.

 

[xanaxfordays]

Is lab included in organic Chem 1? At my school lab class took up more time than my lecture. If no lab I think you are fine. Although second semester might suck.

 

[neature]

Is lab included in organic Chem 1? At my school lab class took up more time than my lecture. If no lab I think you are fine. Although second semester might suck.

All of my science classes will have a lab (varies between 2 and 4 hours), including organic chemistry. It definitely takes up a lot of time during your week.


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[xanaxfordays]

I mean if you can Handle 3 intense labs go for it. I myself probably couldn't. YMMV

 

[TheStallion16]

4 classes per semester is fairly standard. Getting all the requirements in for med school is going to require taking hard classes simultaneously. I had very similar schedules each semester while being a D1 athlete. It's doable

 

[masnerj]

Just my opinion but I see no reason to take biochem sophmore year...first of all its probably the most important class for the mcat so I would take it with a light schedule to maximize learning and secondly I would take it after u finish up orgo sequence. First semester looks fine...cell bio shouldn't be too bad but I would Def delay biochem till first semester senior year


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[TheStallion16]

Just my opinion but I see no reason to take biochem sophmore year...first of all its probably the most important class for the mcat so I would take it with a light schedule to maximize learning and secondly I would take it after u finish up orgo sequence. First semester looks fine...cell bio shouldn't be too bad but I would Def delay biochem till first semester senior year


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Good point, taking Biochem as a sophomore really isn't necessary. I took it spring of Junior year right before the MCAT

 

[DrChef94]

My second year looked very similar to yours in terms of class choice and lab demand, except I was taking 5 classes (full credit hours), and also working in a lab around 20 hours a week. It's doable if you know how to manage your time correctly.

 

[TheBiologist]

I took my sophomore year:

Calc II
Calc Based Physics I
Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics

Calc III
Calc Physics II
PChem (for life sciences)
Constitutional Law (out of interest)

I got 6 A/A-'s and 2 B's - GPA was a 3.73 I am an auditory learner though so I don't do that much studying other than doing some practice problems before the test; The studying involved if you are a heavy note taker/studier would be very gruesome, so assess where you are on that spectrum

 

[Elfie]

I mean, that doesn't look bad by any means. I'm a rising sophomore this fall as well and I'll be taking:

Cell bio+lab
Evol bio+lab
English
Intro to Sociology
Genome research

I think the key is going to be time management. I don't know what else you're involved in (clubs, work, etc.), but if you're *just* doing school that should be fairly easy to accomplish I think.

 

[wanderingorion]

Nah, I did a schedule similar to that my sophomore year as well. Just manage your time well, especially if those courses have labs attached to them.