<p>General chemistry was really challenging in my opinion. I had Professor Wolfman who is regarded as the best teacher but the most difficult. It was so much tougher than my honors chemistry class in high school and he really makes you work hard to understand the material. Every test was a series of short answer questions where you had to do all the work out in order to get full credit. You can’t get by with just memorizing material, you really have to understand it. It’s supposed to be an excellent class for those who are pre-med because it will help you a lot on the MCAT but it can be a GPA killer. The other teachers test differently I think, I know McFadden is all multiple choice.</p>
<p>I worked really hard and studied for hours and managed to get an A so it is not impossible. Everything is scaled since the averages on the tests were usually below 70. It’s kind of an essential class so if you are thinking of anything science related or med school, definitely get it out of the way as soon as possible. It won’t be easy but so many other freshman are taking it too you will find tons of people to help you out in the dorms.</p>
<p>Yeah I have heard Wolfman can be pretty difficult…I have Mohanty who apparently is so-so. Do the discussion sessions help? Am i supposed to be in the discussion session with my general chemistry professor? Because I have a completely different professor for the lab, chem lecture, and discussion section.</p>
<p>I only knew a few people who had Mohanty and they didn’t really have any strong feelings either way for him. Discussion for me wasn’t that important but everyone always goes because attendance gets factored into your grade and can only help you. It’s just a good place to get help and go over the mathematical stuff since lecture is purely note-taking.</p>
<p>You’re supposed to have the same professor for lecture and discussion but don’t worry too much about that now. They’ll go over everything with you the first week of class. It’s important because you get all tests and quizzes back in discussion and the discussion is based off of what you learn in lecture that week. For lab it doesn’t matter who you have because you don’t even have a professor really anyway, just a grad student to watch over you.</p>
<p>Alright thanks so much. I called and they said I definitely need to be in the same class for discussion and lecture class. My portal classes updated immediately, but the classmate roster has yet to change. Hopefully this isn’t a sign that I did it wrong. thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Lacey, I’ve switched classes a couple times and it always takes a little while for the classmate roster to switch. As long as you’re schedule is updated, you should be fine :)</p>
<p>Oh okay, I was really worried I had messed up my schedule haha. One last question, what is this blackboard vista that I keep hearing about? What is it used for exactly?</p>
<p>blackboard vista is an internet tool thing that a lot of professors use to put assignments and things on the web. You can access it from My Services on portal, it’s actually the very first top link. Every professor uses it differently but most post assignments and use the calendar for scheduling exams. It can be really useful if your professor is dedicated to using it. Some also post your grades which is awesome because you can get them as soon as they are done being graded. it’s a good way to keep on top of things with your classes but there isn’t really much you yourself can do with it, only your professors.</p>
<p>Anyone know how these professors are: McFadden (gen chem), taghian (molecules & cells), reed (calc), Garcia (lit and society), and miller (ctk) are in terms of difficulty & workload?</p>
<p>Reed is supposed to be the best for calc. McFadden is also supposed to be the easiest for gen chem but the subject in general is very intensive and difficult so it still will be a challenge.</p>
<p>Another problem: I’m going to arrive at BC on Aug.28 at around midnight, what should I do to check in and get into my room in the upper campus? I’ve already filled in the ‘early-arrival’ form and get approved.</p>
<p>Reed is wonderful for calc… a good teacher and super easy. McFadden is the easiest of the gen chem teachers, and also a really great guy and a decent teacher- not too exciting, but if you manage to pay attention you’ll learn.</p>