So, I’m having a little trouble about my confidence with my course selection. So I am an incoming freshman and I have chosen to take Chem 101, Calc 1, Philosophy, and English 101. I am pre-pharmacy and currently a biology major. My issue is that I took AP chem last year and struggled (C up until last semester got a B) but since I had just learned chemistry this school year… I felt like taking Chem was a good idea because I just did it (even tho it’s not the same thing). Same with Calculus ( dropped out of AP and just took honors).
A lot of freshman are taking easier classes this first semester but I am worried that if I have a gap in between my calculus and chemistry learning… it’ll be a struggle if I take it later in my college career. I want my gpa to be the best it can be and the only way I can do it is by playing my cards right.
So, I’m asking am I making the right decision? I mean, I know it depends on my work ethic and my capacity for the subjects but does it make any sense? What were some of y’alls experiences? What would you do if you were me?
I think you should take both Chemistry and Calculus. At my school, USciences, the advisors actually recommend taking the general science classes at the school rather than using AP credit. Their belief is that the students should relearn information they’ll need for later courses.
In your case, as a pre-pharm, I’d do chem again. One, you took AP Chem so you should have no problem mastering Chem 101 material. Two, you’re going to probably take organic chem next year. General chem should give you at least some background for orgo (even though the two are very different).
I’m a physical therapy major, so I don’t really need chem for where I’m going. In fact, I actually took Calc BC and used it to clear Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry from my schedule so that I can take later classes earlier. If I were you, I’d do both chem and calc as you took both of them in senior year. Take them while it’s still fresh in your mind.
Be wary of the courses as they’re much different from high school chem and calculus. Exams have a lot more content and multiple chapters will be put into an exam. Spend time making sure you understand the material AND practice the concepts through the textbook. Find backexams for your instructors (usually posted on the class website or from other students).
In the end, it’s all up to you. But, I recommend you do both Chem 1 and Calc to make sure your GPA is as high as it can be. Remember, if it’s too much for you, you have the option to drop or withdraw from the class.
Your instincts are correct. It is best to go ahead and take Chem and Calc while the subjects are fresh on your mind.
Typically a beginning Chemistry class in college is a weed-out class, and the grading is such that the average test score is around 40-60. So students freak out and think they know nothing and worry and stress. If that happens, what you need to do is just pay attention to where you land in the mix, because those grades will be scaled. So was the 60 the highest grade? Then a 55 is pretty good, and could be the equivalent of a B. Just pay attention to the syllabus and how grading is done in the class so you can track how you are really doing. Be prepared to go to tutoring sessions on campus as needed.
Calculus may take a bit of time for the homework. My daughter aced it in high school, but made a B in college (re-taking it) because she didn’t always finish her homework, and it counted 45 percent of the grade. Again, pay attention to how your grading will be done, and juggle your time accordingly.