<p>I have a question regarding signing up for classes at Pitt. Are Honors classes typically more difficult than regular classes (i.e. Chemistry), should I sign up for non-honors classes my first year and see how it is? Can someone give me some advice?</p>
<p>Chemistry was a nightmare last year (fall of 2009) for anyone who had not completed AP Chem in high school. My daughter ended up taking it pass/no credit and was happy that she made that move. I don’t know whether it was any better this year. Physics is also all new–if it is even offered. The honors college dean taught that, but Alec Stewart passed away about a year ago. Those are the only two honors courses my daughter has taken. Most of her courses don’t offer honors sections.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t see a huge advantage in taking honors course, especially when you can’t know what the difference is because you haven’t been on campus to hear how the classes are. I’m personally going to start with all regular myself for the first semester and see from there. If I later hear that I class I need to take is better in honors, like it’s a significantly smaller size or has a highly recommended professor, then I’ll take them later.</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure but I talked to a counselor at Pitt and she said that you would spend probably 3 hours a day studying without honors classes but with honors classes it would be around 6 hours a day. I dont know if there is any truth to that statement but that’s what she told me.</p>
<p>Hi mvarkey, </p>
<p>Honors classes tend to go at a quicker pace than the regular sections, and spend less time covering more basic concepts. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you register for the honors section and find that it’s not for you, within the first two weeks of the term, you can drop the honors section and register for a regular section without penalty.</p>