Hello,
Im an incoming freshman at UMass as a member of CHC. As of now, my schedule is all honors classes (5 classes, 15 credits). Is this a good idea or will I be overwhelmed with the extra work? Also, the only option I really have is to take Math 127 instead of 127H (Calc for soc sci) to take away an honors course but I’d rather have the small class size. Any input would be great
I definitely do not recommend taking 5 honors classes in a semester! Most people take one or two at most per semester.
You only need a few honors gen eds to graduate, don’t pack them all into the same semester.
Have you gone to NSO and officially registered for these classes? I can’t imagine them agreeing to that.
Of course, I don’t know how well you work, you may be totally fine in those classes, but then again this is your first semester, so you should take it easy to transition.
Some of the honors classes I have taken are admittedly very easy (easier than regular classes even), but others are difficult and a lot of work. For instance, I’m guessing you are taking Ideas that Changed the World, and that has a lot of reading (and depending on your professor, a lot of writing). It isn’t necessarily -hard- but it’s a lot to keep up with, especially if you are taking other heavy classes.
But of course I have no idea what classes you signed up for or your major or whatever, so I can’t say whether your specific classes are easy or not.
Also if you have 5 classes at 15 credits, I’m guessing you are taking at least one 1 credit class, and those are definitely not bad.
Also these are probably mostly 100 level classes. Not saying that means they are easy, but compared to like a 300 level class, yeah
(The honors classes I have taken so far were anthro 104h, bio 105h, honors 201, English writing 112h, and something called front page)
Smaller class size is appealing, but there is nothing wrong with larger classes. I think it’s nice to meet new people and round out / balance your college experience (almost everyone ends up taking and enjoying psych 100, which has 500 people in it!). Plus, if you have a good professor, it should still be an engaging class. And if you have discussion sections, you still kinda get a small class vibe. I personally love the anonymity of large classes (while also enjoying a balance with some intimate classes). Also, not all regular classes are large. Of course this depends on your major, but I’m taking some small regular lower level classes this semester. And this may interest you: in the spring, they often have “generic RAP classes” which are sections of gen ed classes just for freshmen, with 20-30 people in it. I knew someone who took a class through that. Had nothing to do with RAPs, so I’m not sure why it was labelled like that, but I think that’s a cool opportunity
As for math 127, I see that the honors version is with adena calden and the open non honors is with Merrick brown. As much as I would advocate for you to take a non honors class, I have heard good things about adena and not so good things about the other, so idk. Think about your math ability and if you can handle/ want to do extra math.
If you have any other questions let me know. I am a rising sophomore in the honors college.