Freshman 2nd Semester Course load

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi everyone, I am currently a freshman at Radford University in Virginia. I came from a competitive private high school in Northern VA, but didn't try in high school as I obviously should have. Now I'm at college and something just totally changed in me: I'm actually studying, actually doing my homework, and going to all of my classes. </p>

<p>My first semester course load (which I'm currently taking now) consists of: Core 101 (English 101), History 102 (World History since 1500), Math 114 (This is easier than math I did in high school and I'm really frustrated that I had to take this class since it was the last math available, but so be it), Univ 100 (Required freshmen study skills class-unless you drop it), Music 123 (The art of jazz-my elective), and Sociology 110 (Intro to Soci). </p>

<p>These classes add up to a total of 16 credits. At my school you must take a minimum of 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. </p>

<p>I've been pondering a significant amount about what I should take for my second semester here. I've already had my meeting with my advisor and she basically gave me a list of 5 suggested courses including: Core 102 (English 102), Chem 101 (Intro to Chem), Political Science 120 (Intro to American Govt), Coms 130 (Intro to Comm), and Theatre 100 (Theatre Appreciation). This is a total of 5 classes (the average) for 15 credits. </p>

<p>After looking through the course catalog a whole lot and thinking of my options I concluded that I really do not want to take the majority of these courses. I want to take: Core 102 (as suggested), Phil 111 (Intro), Political Science 120 (as suggested), Psychology 121 (Intro), Spanish 101 (Intro-because I took 3 years of italian in high school, not spanish), and Mathematics 151 (Calculus and Analytical Geometry 1/2). This is a total of 6 classes for 18 credits. </p>

<p>A couple of reasons for my change in courses from what my advisor gave me: 1. I want to express more determination by taking on a more rigorous load, but not killing myself. 2. I didn't want to take Comm and Theatre as my advisor suggested because quite frankly I may very well change my major next year from Broadcast Journalism to something under business, and minor in Broadcast Journalism instead because I feel like that will give me greater opportunity to ultimately succeed after college.</p>

<p>Some things to consider: 1. I am thinking about transferring after the year which is why I want to take another math course next semester equivalent to calculus at other schools so I will fulfill the requirements (since this math course is tougher than others for freshmen it requires at least a 550 on the Math portion of the SAT, which I exceed) 2. I want to go above average by taking 18 credits to make my second semester more academically rigorous and to make sure that I'll have at least 30 transferable credits for my prospective schools in mind (One three credit class from my first semester definitely will not transfer). 3. As I said earlier, I really did not try in high school and academically this school is not very challenging at all for me, which is part of the reason I really want to take on these classes and appear as a strong transfer applicant. </p>

<p>Basically what I want to know is: 1. Does this course load look well balanced especially as I am looking to transfer? 2. It definitely does not look like an "academic suicide" course load to me, does it to you? 3. Any other feedback or suggestions are welcome, especially if you think I should drop a class or add something else instead for more variety, etc. </p>

<p>Thank you very much, and sorry about the length!! :)</p>

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<p>Any suggestions/comments?</p>

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<p>Why not go back to your advisor and talk with her about your proposed changes - not because you are planning to transfer, but because these other courses are more aligned with your personal interests and future professional goals and you want to challenge yourself. See what she has to say about the course load. Keep in mind too that she may have had reasons for suggesting some of these classes (to fulfill distribution requirements perhaps?) but she may have different suggestions if she has a better understanding of what interests you.</p>

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<p>Consider taking:</p>

<ol>
<li> Comm 130–Intro to Communications</li>
<li> Chem 101—Intro to Chem and sign up for the Lab section.<br></li>
<li> Math 151</li>
<li> English 102</li>
<li> PSC 120</li>
</ol>

<p>If you’re thinking about switching majors, add an introductory level course in this major.</p>

<p>If you’re planning on transferring for your sophomore year, wait and begin your foreign language sequence there.</p>

<p>This schedule of courses combined with your current semester’s schedule of courses will get a good chunk of the standard general ed. requirements out of the way.</p>

<p>Go back and speak with your advisor again. Be sure to let your advisor know that you are considering changing your major.</p>

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<p>M’s Mom- Thank you very much for the response. I am definitely going to speak to my advisor again and talk to her about my proposed changes. I know she may have had these courses in mind for a few reasons, and I agree with her suggestions, a part from Theatre which I just do not want to take. Thank you again, I really appreciate your input. </p>

<p>NySmile- Thanks so much for your response. I was actually just thinking today (before I saw your response) of possibly switching Spanish out and actually taking a Communications course, because I know I will at least still minor in something under communications. So, I definitely agree with that part of your list! In addition, I really want to take the math, english, and political science, as you listed. The only 2 things I’m hesitant about with your suggestion are: 1. My school for some reason puts a high emphasis on student’s not to take a math and science in the same semester (especially freshmen). That’s the only reason I was thinking of opting out of science for next semester, even though I do think I could handle the work load well. 2. I really want to take 6 classes next semester instead of 5, do you think this is okay?</p>

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<p>bumping this</p>

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<p>my first year at Stanford I did not work, so I took the max permissable load of 20 Units per quarter. I did have a safety net not available at most schools – at that time at S you were allowed to drop a class up until 5pm the day before the final exam without any transcript notation. At that rate I would have finished college in 3 years, but I slowed down after that year because I worked a significant number of hours.</p>

<p>I say go for it.</p>

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<p>@DunninLA Thank you very much for the advice! It just gets frustrating here because this school isn’t very academically reputable so consequently I think my advisor probably expects I just can’t handle an above average course load. And, I don’t blame her, I didn’t try in high school so I can’t blame anyone who doubts me. </p>

<p>Would you say taking an intro to chemistry course at the same time as a calc 1/2 course would be too much? I don’t really have to take a science next semester to fulfill requirements for any of my intended transfer schools, but I do want them to see that I’m not just trying to get easy A’s. Given that you went to Stanford I’m sure it was a world of difference compared to my school though, haha!</p>

<p>Thank you again.</p>