<p>So, after attending my freshman orientation today, I got a lot of problems in my schedule due to math, and my adviser was horribly unhelpful.</p>
<p>I don't know whether or not I should continue math, especially because I'm ridiculously undecided. I mean, I like math, so that's not a problem. It's whether or not it'll be useful to me. I know the math I want to take (second semester calculus) is a prerequisite for quite a few advanced science/computer science courses, areas in which I have entertained the idea of majoring in. I'm considering being a psychiatrist as well, so I would probably major in some science to continue on to pre-med. I'm not taking any biology/chemistry courses currently, because they would *never *fit.</p>
<p>The math is a five credit course, with three days of lecture and two days of discussion, and it really conflicts with a lot of other classes I would like to take. I'm also taking two foreign languages at four credits each, so that's already 13 credits, and they "advise" us to not take more than fourteen our first semester. I'm already at 16 with my other class.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any input on math? I mean, if I don't need it, I shouldn't take it, but I don't really know if I won't need it...</p>
<p>Well, I'm a big fan of math, so take this advice with that in mind. I think it would be very useful for you to at least finish up calculus, which is, as you point out, an important prerequisite for many courses in the science/math/CS/econ realm (a realm you are interested in) and is also just an interesting course (in my opinion :)). However, overloading yourself first semester is definitely something to be wary about as well. You don't HAVE to take it this semester or not at all, right? You could always take it in the spring, or even later. If it conflicts with a lot of classes you are interested in this upcoming semester, I see nothing wrong with putting it off a semester and a lot of good (less demanding first semester schedule, greater flexibility about choosing courses). Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Well, one thing I will say is that if you're going to need Calc 2 at any point, then early on--while HS calc is still relatively fresh in your head--is probably the easiest time to take it. Same goes for languages, too, though, provided you're continuing them from HS. </p>
<p>Calc 2 shouldn't be a pre-req for intro bio/chem/CS/psych, so you won't run into big problems next semester if you wait (and are confident that your math memory will hold up). There'll still be plenty of relevant courses you can take. If you were taking those intro courses now and you thought you might need the math for a pre-req next semester, it would be a bigger problem.</p>
<p>I've been told that pre-meds really need to hit the ground running, so if that's a route you're seriously considering, then the lack of any first semester science or math does seem problematic. From a coursework standpoint, it might make more sense to start fulfilling the pre-med requirements and then, if necessary, switch out of that track rather than start exploring elsewhere and hoping to switch in. I'm pretty much anti-qualified to discuss pre-med coursework, so don't take my word for this, but if pre-med is a door you really want to keep open, it's something to look into.</p>
<p>My thoughts simplify into two things.
1. It would probably be a good idea to finish calculus.
2. You do NOT need to do so this semester, particularly if it means the difference between a properly challenging first term of college and a ridiculously hard, unsatisfying one. You have another 7 semesters ahead!</p>
<p>Personally, I'd drop one of the language courses (probably one you did not take in high school). If you are a premed you really want to take bio or chemistry your first semester of college. You can pick up a language any time. If you start premed early you leave youself more room to go abroad or do premed while pursuing a non science major. You also would want to take math if you are interested in a science or cs major. I was entertaining the idea of switching into chemical engineering until i realized that because I missed the intro course this past year, I would be a full year behind in the major requirements because each class is a prereq for the next, and can't major in it without either taking an extra year or super overloading on credits junior and senior year to catch up.</p>
<p>I'd drop at least one foreign language course, and take general chem or bio (unless you have AP credit in both). Also, a med school requirement is calc I and II, so I'd do it early just to get it over with.</p>
<p>The problem is, I'm ridiculously unsure. I've also thought about doing a linguistics or communicative disorders major in order to do speech language pathology. I'm really just trying to keep as many options open as possible, and one of those is pre-med, so it makes it difficult.</p>
<p>And while yes, the languages aren't necessary for anything, I do love them. I've been wanting to learn Norwegian forever, and I would hate to give it up. I suppose I could also find a non-school organization that teaches it, though.</p>
<p>I know I'm taking chemistry or biology *next *semester, at least. That's an absolute certainty. I know there's an accelerate course that combines the normal two semester sequence of introductory biology and chemistry, so that could be an option.</p>
<p>I just want it all, but I can't have it all. =P At this point though, I'm leaning toward taking the math. I hope it's an okay decision, considering my adviser told me to take no math or science course first semester.</p>
<p>specify, That is more than true. I think I'm just a little anxious to get it underway, and who knows, maybe my opinion of the language will change.</p>
<p>My only worry is that once I get in to my major(s) intermediate/advanced courses, I won't have time for a five day language class.</p>
<p>^My advisor said that it would be too much to take as a freshman first semester, because both math and science are four-five credits each, and they recommend not taking more than 14, so it takes up a good chunk of that.</p>
<p>Personally, I think that idea is a little silly, but that's just me.</p>
<p>I don't quite get the point of limiting freshmen to 14 credits. Don't you need 15 or 16 credits on average every semester to graduate in 8 semesters? And how is someone supposed to major in a science without taking math or sciences first semester? I would take your adviser's advice with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>Maybe there is a specific reason why your adviser recommended you not to take more than 14 credits and no math or science first semester. But my general adviser has no clue about the subjects I am interested in and I am sooo glad that I did always listen to her advice. Some of it was just waaaay off. Honestly, I know better than my adviser what I am capable of and where my limitations are. I take advice from members of my major department very seriously though.</p>
<p>Take Norweigan so you don't spend your first year wondering why you didn't do it or dreaming about taking it. How long is the add/drop period? Sign up for it and you can always drop it if it looks like it's going to get tricky. </p>
<p>I'm suggesting this because it looks like it's definitely one of those languages that won't be offered year round and everywhere. Math is offered every semester and everywhere so you can always take calc next summer. Med schools won't penalize for that just as long you fulfill the requirements.</p>
<p>I speak from experience of wanting to study Russian forever and signing it up over German. Now, as a grad student, I NEED German for my work but I don't regret taking Russian like that. :)</p>
<p>Those that didn't take Calc in high school usually take calc 1 in the fall and calc 2 in the spring. It appears that you took Calc I in high-school. Why not just take calc 2 in the spring? There should be more sections of it which should make it easier to fit into your schedule.</p>
<p>wow, pathetique, we're in pretty much the exact same situation. I want to do pre-med, or maybe linguistics, or psych, or anthro. I had to choose between Calc or Bio this semester- I chose calc. I'm afraid that if I skip a year of math I'll forget everything I learned in high school. (i have the same language problem too- but mine's with japanese) good luck!</p>
<p>BCEagle91, that's always a thought, but I would be taking bio or chem in the spring as well, so it'll be a cramped schedule. Or I could switch it around, but I'd rather get the three part calc sequence done, and I don't want to lose the knowledge I have, however likely or unlikely it may be, by waiting a semester. It is something to think about, though.</p>
<p>brieb08, I know! It's horrible! There's so much to do, and so little time in which to do it. =[ Good luck to you, too!</p>
<p>At my son's school, the CS major for Freshman year is Physics, Calc, Computing and English. The attrition rate is pretty brutal with 3 math/science courses per semester. Avoiding heavy pressure is definitely a route to less stress in the adjustment year.</p>
<p>Summer II hasn't started yet so you could try taking Calc II this summer and then figure out Calc III in the fall or spring or even next summer. I've found that Calc II is fairly easy to find in summer schools. Calc III is a lot harder to find. If Calc isn't available locally, you could try UIUC's online program called Netmath where you can take it online and start anytime you want to. It's Mathematica-based and it provides very good coverage.</p>