While I understand and wholeheartedly agree with the adage that one should not believe everything they hear, the rumors that swirl through the air regarding this course are numerous and, honestly, quite deafening. They proclaim that the aspiration to receive an A in this course is comparable to finding a grain of salt on a sandy beach; that the coursework is strenuous and whittles at the fervor to learn of many. Whispered laundry lists of past students who have dropped out of the class or even went as far as to change their major because the pressure of it all was insurmountable slink along with the wind, waiting to come across an open ear.
Although the brief paragraph above displays some of the common remarks made about this course in a hyperbolic manner, the reputation of CH 101 is a daunting one. And that is a statement which is irrefutable.
So today I am asking–out of both curiosity and fear of what is to come in a couple weeks–that anyone who has experience with this class please share a bit of their experience. Is it as academically challenging as people make it out to be? Is it as emotionally taxing? Does it often hinder the student’s excitement and passion for knowledge in this subject matter?
I am aware of the fact that there are multiple factors which influences the experience one has in a class. Therefore, I expect responses revealing an array of emotions towards the course and know not to think that my experience will turn out to be exactly like someone else’s. However, I do believe that gaining a collection of honest stories or reviews on this subject will provide an objective perspective for anyone interested in taking/is required to take this class.
[FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE CURIOUS AS TO MY MAJOR]
Currently I am enrolled in the College of Engineering and have a strong interest in biomedical engineering. Now, it has come to my attention that a fair amount of BMEs end up switching their focus. If you have any insight or running theories as to why that is, feel free to add it to your comment. If not (or you simply do not feel like including it), that is cool too.
Thank you all for your help!
Okay so hopefully this helps you out. I haven’t taken CH101, but I have witnessed it. I have seen the tears, dreams shattered, and majors changed. I work in the Chem Department and I’ve seen upset students crying in the office. But the point of this is not to scare you, but to tell you why it ended in disaster for these students.
Remember in high school everyone really wanted to be a doctor? Yeah CH101 is intended to test you how much you REALLY want to be a doctor. Honestly, if you don’t put the time and the effort in your work that’s when you will struggle. I have friends on both sides of the spectrum. Ones who excelled and others not so much (who eventually switched majors). I’ve seen the coursework for 101 and its pretty hardcore, but if you are studious and dedicated then you’ll do fine. There aren’t multiple choice questions on the exam and I believe you cannot use a calculator. (People will complain about that ALL the time). The basic point is that you can’t be premed/engineering major and expect to go drinking/partying every day or the night before an exam and expect to get an A unless you’re a secret genius. You can still have fun, but you must learn to balance partying with coursework. This is why so many engineers on the internet always seem to say that its hard to find enough time for themselves…it’s a difficult time consuming major.
Well this is my attempt to help you out, I hope it did, but as cliche as it sounds you’re not really gonna know until you’re in the full swing of the class. And as for people changing they’re focus most of the time its because they found an interest somewhere else especially since as a freshman you have that special intro engineering class. I met a BME major who switched to Computer Engineering simply because she liked it better. I know some people who switched to CompSci since they preferred it over engineering. (Yaaay CompSci is my major). Since CompSci peeps and engineering peeps are friends since we’re involved in the same stuff, we talk. Most people switch to Mechanical Engineering since it’s “easier” and has a more broad focus. BME is known as a more rigorous program, but I know some people are still sticking with it and are happy. You seem like a very smart person from that on point vocabulary so I think you’ll do well. Good luck!
^
Yeah I’ve met so many people in freshman year who wanted to be doctors or study BU’s top biomedical engineering program, but they quit because of CH101.
Sometimes it’s surprising to see how one semester can completely alter one’s life aspirations. I think they assigned ALEKS over the summer? Hope you finished it.