<p>Topic. As a current high school senior, I am sort of worried about how I will handle my experiences. And I do have some questions. Since I will likely attend an in-state public school such as UNC or NCSU (Albeit I may end up being accepted at Cornell or MIT), then my AP credits are going to allow me to either graduate early or allow me to take a lighter schedule. </p>
<p>So here's where my first questions comes in. For the first semester, I plan on taking an introductory English course, Newtonian physics with calculus, Calculus III, and an introduction to programming. Would this coursework be a stress-less and decent for a 1st semester freshman? I do plan on using this semester to start adapting to college-level work and campus life. I mean, at the moment I am sort of burning myself out with stress because I am overloading myself with courses in high school (For the past two years I have been taking 4 APs and 1 honors per semester, while the average college-bound kid here takes 2 standards along with 2 honors), so I want at least one or two semesters after summer vacation to cool down before going full-burst again.</p>
<p>Another question would be how rigorous is the college workload? I plan on double-majoring in computer sciences and applied mathematics, and mathematics is one of my main strengths. And how should I balance my free time and study time?</p>
<p>Something else I forgot to mention: Summer school! If the college offers, would it be a good idea to evenly space my courses between the semesters and summer? </p>
<p>Well, you seem to be very academic and a high-achiever, so it probably won’t be as bad as you think. (it might be harder with Cornell or MIT, though) </p>
<p>My advice would be to keep your schedule full but not unbearable. Personally, I dropped my calc class this semester, (I went to a very small high school, and though I was bright in math there, I feared I wouldn’t live up to my achievements at my much bigger university) and I truly regret it. I’ve been so bored with only 3 classes, and i wish I would’ve challenged myself. Typically, we tend to doubt what we can handle, and in all sincerity, college is what you make it. If you pay attention, do what you’re supposed to for class, and maybe a little more, you’ll be fine! </p>
<p>However, I am going to take classes during the summer, and I’d recommend that as well. It’s a good way to get ahead. (or to catch up because you’re going to France next year, in my case :D)</p>
<p>I’d say don’t doubt yourself and your abilities. I got a 5 on the BC calc test last year and could have gone straight to calc 3 this semester. Instead I retook calc 2, and I kind of wish I hadn’t- it’s absurdly easy and I’m getting 95s on tests without studying at all where the class average is a 60 (and I’ve always been a reasonably intelligent fellow, but constantly wrecking the curve is completely new to me and not something I ever thought I’d do…lol)</p>
<p>So challenge yourself! The fact that you’re thinking about this now means you’re way ahead of where I was at this point past year and you seem like a smart student. I think you’ll be able to tell very early if things are too overwhelming, in which case you can drop a class with no ill effects.</p>
<p>You don’t need to worry about graduating early or anything else now. Take it easy senior year like everyone else (but don’t fail), sign up for all those classes, then you can drop 1 before the deadline if it’s too much. I find a good method regardless what year you’re in is sign up for 15-18 credits then inevitably some class will be not as advertised, so you can drop it and stay full time. By a few weeks in, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.</p>
<p>If you’re burned out already maybe skip on the summer classes, unless things change by then.</p>