<p>As an incoming freshman, what do current students recommend for their class schedules?
Maximum/Minimum gaps?
Maximum/minimum days?
Morning/noon/evening classes?</p>
<p>And any other tips for incoming freshman? </p>
<p>As a CS major I plan to take Math21 (assuming I get in lol), ECS 30, and ECN1 but I do not know what class I should add.</p>
<p>Regarding morning/noon/evening classes, some classes are only at a certain time, so you can’t choose what time to have your class at unless there are multiple teachers teaching a course, but generally, there aren’t many night lecture classes–most lectures tend to be in the morning or afternoon, while labs and discussions can be held at night (depending on whether the student signed up for an evening lab or discussion time). For example, when I took ABI 102 and 103, the course was only offered at 8am because there was only one professor teaching the course, and this quarter, the only choices I have for 118C was to either take the 7:30am class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or take the 8am class on MWF. </p>
<p>You cannot choose the maximum/minimum days either. Lectures will either be MWF (sometimes just MW) or TR (R stands for Thursday), along with any labs or discussions you may have. The MAT 21 series has always met on MWF to my knowledge, along with a day that you choose to have your discussion on. ECS 30 also meets MWF, along with a discussion section. ECN 1 meets TR, along with a discussion section. </p>
<p>Depending on how your classes are scheduled and how many different sections and professors are teaching the class, you may not get to choose how much of a gap you have between classes. For example, last quarter, all my classes were back-to-back. My 8am ABI 103 class was taught by one professor, my 9am ANS 124 class was taught by one professor, and my Physics class was taught by one professor. There was no other lecture times I could choose from, because they taught only at a specific time.</p>
<p>This really varies depending on major, etc. I am going to classes on only Monday and Wednesdays, 10:00-4:00 this quarter. But I am not taking any science or math classes. Last quarter I went Mon. - Thurs. And my first quarter M/T/TH. I have never gone earlier than 9:00 or later than 6:00. But this will all depend on when classes you need are being offered. Sometimes you just don’t have a choice. My first quarter I took only 12 units so I could get used to UC Davis and the quarter system. I prefer morning classes at 10:00 or 11:00 and leaving by around 4:00. I think it is nice to have at least one big gap in the middle of the day. Last quarter I didn’t on Tues. and Thursdays, going from 10:30 - 4:30 and it was hard. My advice would be to take a light load your first quarter. Remember you may take a certain number of classes Pass/No Pass (unless you are in engineering) so a really hard class you can just worry about getting the equivalent of a C which takes some pressure off. At orientation they will go over your schedule options with you. I suggest taking at least one class out of your major to get GEs out of the way and also to explore other fields for fun.</p>
<p>I’m a current linguistics major who intends to add CS as a double major, so I may be able to help you a little as far as CS goes. Feel free to PM me if you want any advice on that specifically.</p>
<p>First off, I would recommend that you either keep those classes or only add a seminar class. Don’t overextend yourself fall quarter; save the higher unit loads for later, when you’re adjusted to college and the quarter system.</p>
<p>As has been said, a lot of times you won’t have a choice when it comes to class times. If you do have a choice, think about what type of person you are: Are you a morning or an afternoon person? For me personally, I’m a morning person and try to get my classes in the morning, if possible.</p>
<p>Spacing depends on your personal preference. I like having all my classes tightly scheduled if I can, but sometimes gaps are unavoidable. I have a few friends that like to have a couple hours between classes if they can. It just depends.</p>
<p>For days, as always it depends on what’s available, and again it depends on preference. I like having my schedule spread out throughout the week, others like having a few busy days and then nothing (or almost nothing) on other days.</p>
<p>So, my ultimate advice: Experiment with class times, schedule gaps and what days your classes are on to the best of your ability and find out what works for you. Of course, sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) you’ll need to go against your preferences.</p>
<p>If you can, minimizing gaps between classes is so amazing for your free time 
But first quarter that is most likely not a choice. I prefer to have my classes earlier since I have commitments at night.</p>
<p>Also, there is a class search tool (google UC Davis GE search tool) that can help you find classes that satisfy certain requirements and can help you plan out your schedule. Also, if you don’t already, use ninjacourses.com. It is the best class planning tool ever made. Seriously. Saves you hours of time.</p>