<p>So my Advising and Orientation session is over and done with--I no longer have the luxury of speaking face-to-face with an advisor without a 45 minute drive. I am currently signed up for a FIG that has 15 credits: Architecture Appreciation (ARCH 150), ENGL 111, and PSYCH 101, and of course that silly FIG class that doesn't seem to be of much substance.</p>
<p>I originally wanted to take PHIL 100, but couldn't find a way to make it work. But just recently I found a schedule including ENGL 301, ENGL 297 (Humanities Writing Link), and PHIL 100. I want to major in English so the 301 class will satisfy a pre-req. Though as an incoming freshman, is this a hefty course load? It's the same amount of credits as the aforementioned one, but both PHIL and ENGL 301 require quiz sections and a large percentage of the grade consists of tests and quizzes (i.e. mid-terms and final). I'm looking for some advice from someone who has been there and done that, and knows generally what it's like to take a full load of classes.</p>
<p>I never took a fig but lots of people I know did. I don’t feel like I missed out on anything. Almost all of them just thought it was okay. I don’t know of any of them that still keep in touch with people from their figs (on the other hand, they go out of their way to avoid them sometimes lol.) They complained about the group work and time it takes - just not worth it. On a positive note, I think figs are a good way of getting into a lot of prereqs that may otherwise be full autumn quarter.</p>
<p>As far as English is concerned, I’d say stick with your fig for now, for many reasons.
I know I’m a really strong writer, so I thought 131 would be a joke. It was, for the most part, but what sucked was how subjective the grading was. Turned out to be my lowest grade for the quarter. A good friend of mine is also a really good writer and took 281 but again got shafted by the professor. So I’m not a huge fan of UW’s English department. I know people who did 111 and 121 as well. I heard good things about both of them - 111 because they like the reading as opposed to writing, and 121 because you just “volunteer”, with hardly any writing.
Also, you may have a change of heart after freshman year and want to change majors. I know you might be set on English wholeheartedly, but it is nice to keep options open. The fig would be good to keep your gpa up (theoretically) so you could apply to other majors, if you choose to do so. Also, you might find another interesting subject.
Also, I’m pretty sure there are no English finals. Just the portfolio. But you’d better do damn well on it because it’s usually 70% or so of your final grade. Don’t know about you, but I’d much rather study and take a final than go bug-eyed writing and editing a couple papers several times.</p>
<p>As far as whether or not it’s a big course load I think it’s totally do-able. I took 15 credits (3 classes) coming in as a freshman and I wish I got it up to 18. I did 18 credits (4 classes) the last two quarters and felt like I did the same amount of work as in autumn quarter. (Granted, I had math 126 in autumn… that was a bad idea… don’t do math 126 unless you need to.)</p>
<p>Just my two cents, you can take it for what it’s worth. In the grand scheme of things, this one quarter of classes probably won’t make or break your entire life (unless you’re planning on graduating on an accelerated schedule or something). Just take what you think you’d most enjoy.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. In my case, I’m coming in with a bunch of AP credits and will be a sophomore after the first quarter’s credits are completed. So in a way I have to satisfy pre-reqs for a major sooner than most, although I have when, til 105 credits to declare? That’s seems to be a flaw of sorts in the AP system. Kids are excited that they have so much college out of the way, and right away must begin taking classes far above the high school level. </p>
<p>But you’re right, I’ve thought about it a lot and still believe this choice of classes to be fine. The social aspect of the FIG really doesn’t matter to me, that isn’t necessarily why I’m doing it, though on the other hand, I have only 6 other people from my school going to UW, so I won’t know hardly anyone.</p>
<p>Ahh I see now. Yeah I had pretty much the same case as you then, I suppose. I came in with sophomore standing because of AP credits. Fortunately I came in knowing what my major would be so I started taking upper division classes starting winter quarter. The upper division class actually turned out to be my highest grade, so don’t necessarily be afraid to venture there early during your college career.
Sorry if that seems kinda contradictory to what I said before. What I’m trying to say is that it would behoove you to use autumn quarter just to test the waters. If all is well, then sure, look into more advanced classes for the next quarters.
And don’t worry about meeting people. I came from the other side of the country not knowing anyone coming in here, but I made tons of friends (especially in the dorm!) =D</p>