<p>Hello, everyone.</p>
<p>My Orientation at College Park is in just a few days, and I'm still afraid that I don't know my left from my right when it comes to what classes I should and shouldn't (or can't) pick. Right now, I've gotten into the Honors College's Gemstone, and my tentative plan is to double-major in Math (on the Statistics track) and Government & Politics.</p>
<p>I've been told that it's a bad idea for a freshman to try to take more than 5 classes in his first semester. With that in mind, I've drawn up the following plan for what to fill out at Orientation:</p>
<ul>
<li>GEMS 100 (mandatory, from what I hear)</li>
<li>ENGL 101 (Academic Writing)</li>
<li>ECON 200</li>
<li>MATH 340</li>
<li>MATH 310</li>
</ul>
<p>Am I biting off more than I can chew with such an arrangement? If there are any technical issues you find (like a freshman signing up for a sophomore-and-higher-only class) please tell me ASAP!</p>
<p>Also, right now, I'm only registered for a single major in Government & Politics. How do I add the Mathematics - Statistics Track to that?</p>
<p>You might as well wait til next semester if u want econ200. Alll the classes are fioled exceot an online course. And my advice is to jot take an online course</p>
<p>“I’m still afraid that I don’t know my left from my right when it comes to what classes I should and shouldn’t (or can’t) pick.” No worries - you are not expected to know everything before orientation - that’s what orientation is for.</p>
<p>FYI, it’s not the number of classes, per se, as much as the number of credits that you want to limit for your first semester. Minimum is 12 credits for full-time status, and most people say to take no more than 15 credits the first semester. </p>
<p>Credits generally determine work load. Work load perception is also determined by your personal strengths and type of classes you are taking. So, if you are strong in math, and taking math classes, you should be fine. </p>
<p>However, you mentioned that you are currently “registered” as a Govt and Politics major…adding a second major is something you will have to discuss with your adviser at orientation. Here is the link to get a sense of a double major from math department [Department</a> of Mathematics - Double Major](<a href=“http://www-math.umd.edu/double-major.html]Department”>Department of Mathematics - Double Major). I don’t know what the process for applying is, but you should be aware that one of the classes you mentioned, MATH310, has a specific note: “Restriction: Must be in a major within CMNS-Mathematics department. Additional information: Math majors may not use this course to satisfy an upper-level requirement.” So, you may have an issue signing up for this class before your double major in math becomes official. Another thing to consider is that rather than have a double major in math, you can have a minor in math. Given the workload I have heard about GEMSTONE, you might not want the added stress of a double major.</p>
<p>Re 13accus’s note about ECON200 being filled up: it may be possible that this is one of the classes that saves a few seats for each orientation and opens them up only on the morning you sign up for classes. No guarantees, of course, but it is possible. It is also important to note that the waitlists for some sections are pretty small, so it is worth signing up for a waitlist if you really want this class. People constantly change their schedules throughout the summer and the list moves pretty steadily in the late summer. My son’s place on a waitlist was in the teens for one class his first semester and he still got in by the time school started.</p>
<p>Just curious though, if you are a govt & politics major, why aren’t you planning on signing up for intro gvpt classes? Go to page three of this pdf document to see the recommended 4 yr plan for gvpt majors <a href=“http://www.ltsc.umd.edu/majorguides/GovernmentPolitics.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ltsc.umd.edu/majorguides/GovernmentPolitics.pdf</a></p>
<p>That seems like a good number of courses to me, but are any of those particularly fun classes? I would recommend taking at least one class that you’re going to really enjoy taking - it’ll make your semester a lot better. </p>
<p>Where do you stand on gen eds? Unless you’ve placed out of most of them with AP credits, those are a good thing to get started on, and they could be a good way to fit in some fun classes. Many classes that fall under the I-Series or Scholarship in Practice categories might be on subjects that you really enjoy, so you could find fun classes that still fulfill requirements.</p>
<p>And I agree with maryversity that you should consider taking a gov class. I’m a GVPT major too, so PM me if you have questions about what classes to take! There a bunch of specific ones you need to take in the first 3 semesters, but after that you just have to take 9 gov electives so you have a lot of room to explore. That’s another option for fitting in a fun class - if you find one with room, a gov class about something you really care about could be great for adding variety and fun to your schedule :)</p>
<p>I took 6 classes my first semester, and it was fine. Personally, I’d recommend taking ECON 200 and ECON 201 at the same time.</p>