19 Units for fall semester

Student Lounge College Life
1

I was originally going to take 14 units (only 9 transferrable), and that made me consider taking more units. Then i found out i could start my major pre requirements already and i strongly considered taking another class. This semester i’m taking:

English 101 - 3 units - pretty self explanatory, not too difficult, good teacher
History 118 - 3 units - as hard as english, good teacher, no essays, just quizzes, 30 pages reading a week
Mass communications - 3 units - Easy A, easy teacher, Do the work and get an A. Not much work.
Math 101 (before pre calc) - 5 units - NON TRANSFERRABLE (units dont count), should be easy, not worried about it much

I was considering taking Chemistry. Its a 5 unit class. It would definitely be my hardest class. If i don’t take it, i can have a better chance at getting As in my other classes, but i also feel really terrible how im not only not starting my major classes, but im technically earning 9 freaking credits for the semester. I took two classes over the summer and got an A in both, so i kind of experienced the college work load.

The thing im worried about is. What if i have an english paper, a history test, a mass communication project, and dont understand a section of math, and its all due in a week , then throw in chemistry which is not going to be easy for me. I guess its all time management, and in the end depends on how disciplined i am. If i could take another class that wasn’t chemistry i would, but chemistry is my only choice. I didn’t struggle in chemistry in high school, but i wasn’t too great. If i was considering a general ed class, id probably end up taking it. But because chemistry is a very difficult class, i don’t know what to do.

What advice can you guys give me. Should i take a workload of 14 units and earn 9 units. Or get a 19 unit workload for 14 units.

And no im not a chemistry major

And really, i think it might just get harder after this semester. If i don’t take it now. I’ll have to take it in spring. I’ll have Calc 1, General Physics, English, and Chemistry 110. Thats 18 units, but 4 classes instead of 5.

Yeah im gonna take it.

2

Why are you taking these other non transferable courses?

3

Its only 1 non transferable course, math 101. I have to take it because i never took high math in high school. The other classes are apart of the IGETC

4

That’s what I figured, but wasn’t too sure. That’s a lot of units altogether. Have you planned for summer class to spread things apart? But if you have to, I agree it would be best to take chemistry this semester since your next one sounds even more packed. Chemistry is a huge class, with lots of new concepts, lab work, and dedication so be prepared.

5

Are you sure you’re allowed to take the class before precalculus (MATH 101) fall semester, skip precalculus, and then take Calc 1 spring semester? Or am I misunderstanding something?

It will likely be easier to take Chemistry this semester over next semester. Take a look at the syllabus for each class on the first day and make a note of all assignments, due dates, and exams. You should know after the first day of each class if you will have a paper/exam/project/homework for every class in the same week, and you can either plan accordingly or you can drop a class.

Also, if you’re worried about the workload, maybe you could take Mass Communications or History next semester instead and then take Chemistry this semester.

6

You’re only taking 9 transferable credits, but you’re still taking 14 credits as far as your actual workload is concerned.

My advice would be to take chemistry now. I had a semester with General Physics I, Calculus I, General Chemistry I, Intro Anthropology, and Beginning Spanish I, followed by a semester with University Physics I, Calculus II, General Chemistry II, General Cultural Anthropology, and Beginning Spanish II.

Having all of these math/science courses all at one time was not always pleasant. However, make sure you pay attention to the prereq for the chemistry class. Sometimes a general chemistry course will have a math requirement, as there is a pretty good amount of algebra in it.