<p>Hi, I was wondering how Dartmouth students feel about the workload. I understand, of course, that at any top-notch institution like Dartmouth there will be a lot of work and it will be difficult. But do students find the work to be manageable or is it completely overwhelming? Especially with the trimester system, does it seem like you are always studying for a midterm or final? Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Its totally reasonable. Its not pressure cooker (i.e. Chicago, MIT, or Swarthmore), but its not a cakewalk either.</p>
<p>The workload depends on several factors. Some majors have more work than others. Some people find studying for a multiple choice test way more intensive than writing a 10 page paper. Some people are really good at working quickly and efficiently, while others are slow readers and slow writers. Also, a good high school that challenged and prepared you can make college seem like a breeze (students who went to Andover and Exeter sometimes feel this way), while others come not knowing what a thesis is.</p>
<p>Yes, the term system does make it feel like you are always studying for a midterm or writing a paper. </p>
<p>I found my first terms here to be a bit overwhelming -- I wasn't a master yet at picking classes according to my interests and strengths. However, after a bit of time you manage to master the workload and still find plenty of time for fun.</p>
<p>3 classes and feeling overwhelmed? Really????????</p>
<p>Well Dartmouth is on the quarter system so we learn the same amount of material (oftentimes more than students at other colleges) in less time. A term for us is 10 weeks long instead of 15 weeks.</p>
<p>friedokra:</p>
<p>Prior to posting, you might want to research the issue which has been discussed on cc before.... </p>
<p>While at first glance three courses appears lighter than other schools on the quarter system, including Stanford, UofChicago, and many UC campuses, what you fail to understand is that Dartmouth's classes are compacted academically. For example, a typical Frosh Calc (or Chem or English) course is taught over a full year at most colleges, whether it be a semester or quarter system: Frosh Chem is Frosh Chem, taught Aug-May or Sept-June. But, at Dartmouth, a full year of Frosh Chem is compacted into two quarters, as is Calc, etc. So, yes, under the D-Plan students take fewer classes, but each class moves a much faster pace than it does at, say, Stanford. And, by the end of each year, a student will have completed nine courses.</p>
<p>Thanks. I understand that. It means for faster reading and such. There is much debate in academia about the benefit of such plans. Furman University has a similar program and they also take 3 classes per trimester and also offer a summer quarter. I make no judgment on it per se, I was merely suggesting that while the class may be shorter and more intense (less time to cover the same material), there are only three classes to balance out the work load. Whereas at many other schools on a pure semester system, where many classes are NOT a year long but only a semester long, it means they have 5 classes and go to class 3-4 weeks longer. Of course, there are always powder puff courses even at Harvard Princeton Yale and Dartmouth, as there are at Kansas and Kentucky. One can study "Women's Issues in the 1950's" and have that cover a History requirement. Fine if you are a feminist and/or women's studies major, but hardly the stuff of Medieval History of a Civil War Seminar course.</p>
<p>I am not suggesting the poster was doing that, however. My point is that work load is relative to the type of course you are taking, the professor who teaches it, and perhaps the college you attend (but maybe not.)</p>
<p>Maybe I am digging a deeper hole. I know a kid at NCState who is an engineering student who is truly working his tail off. I know another kid at NCState who signed up for bowling this semester. Fact. That is my point.</p>
<p>A lot of colleges have gotten rid of the classic great books core requirements over the years, much to my regret. Its now a "feel good" kind of pc environment. At some prestigious schools its now possible to graduate without ever haven taken not only Western Civilization, but ANY history course. That is very sad. So workload is relative.</p>
<p>NCState? Furman?</p>
<p>Prestigious.</p>
<p>Dude, prestige isn't everything. And where does prestige even factor into this discussion?</p>
<p>
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Of course, there are always powder puff courses even at Harvard Princeton Yale and Dartmouth, as there are at Kansas and Kentucky. One can study "Women's Issues in the 1950's" and have that cover a History requirement. Fine if you are a feminist and/or women's studies major, but hardly the stuff of Medieval History of a Civil War Seminar course.
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</p>
<p>The difference is at Dartmouth, this class comes with a reading list of about 20 books, midterm exams in about the 3rd and 7th week of the term, a final exam and at least 2 papers- all in the course of 10 weeks. My D took a classics class where the professor gave over 250 pages of reading a night and a quiz at each class meeting to see if the reading was done (in addition to 2 mid-terms, finals, 2 papers and a presentation).</p>
<p>Second the calss structure is different. A student can very easily take 3 classes at Dartmouth and depending on the classes (science labs are about 4 hours, O-chem labs are 6 hours not counting pre and post lab time) the professors X-hours (an additional hour outside of the regularly scheduled class, that the professor can hold class) it is very easy to have 3 classes and have your days full.</p>
<p>
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At some prestigious schools its now possible to graduate without ever haven taken not only Western Civilization, but ANY history course. That is very sad. So workload is relative.
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<p>Not the case at Dartmouth because all students must have to meet distribution requirements in order to graduate and courses in western civ are part of that requirement.</p>
<p>friedokra:</p>
<p>not sure why you are picking on NC State (or D, for that matter), but if your freind in Raleigh HAS to take two PE courses for a graduation requirement from the Uni. More importantly, the Phys Ed courses are only one unit -- unlike the typical class which is 3 or 4 units. And, finally, the Phys Ed requirement is an addition to the normal course load of 120 academic units required to graduate; thus, a grad has a mihnimum of 122 units to fullfil his/her BA/BS.</p>
<p>I am not picking on NCState. I have a great deal of respect for them. Particularly in Engineering. Its a top rated school in that discipline and also Veterinary Science.</p>
<p>I was merely pointing out that what one takes has a lot to do with workload. Yes, PE is a requirement at some schools. But not all.</p>
<p>And for that other person who mocked the prestige of NCState and Furman, they obviously have no idea what they are talking about and are rather caught up in the narcissism of the elitist mentality that permeates at SOME schools with SOME students there, but by no means all students.</p>
<p>Besides, in this day and age, graduate school is what counts anyway.</p>
<p>Whether grad school or undergraduate school is more important is a subject that has been debated on CC before. If it were only grad school that mattered, there would certainly be less competition for spots in the more selective colleges.</p>
<p>If there are any "powder puff" courses at Dartmouth, my son can't seem to find them.</p>
<p>Haha, 'powder puff' courses. I doubt they come by in large numbers at any Ivy :)</p>
<p>friedokra:</p>
<p>sorry, but you ARE picking on said schools, bcos you are assuming facts not in evidence, mom. PE is an additional class at those college that require PE, not a replacement for an academic class. But, maybe your friend IS taking a light load. Regardless, WHAT does that have to do with D? Your "point" is not relevant without facts....</p>
<p>
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If there are any "powder puff" courses at Dartmouth, my son can't seem to find them.
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</p>
<p>It seems like your kid has taken a class or 2 with mine because she hasn't found one either. In addition, if there is a professor who uses his/her "X" hours every week, she has managed to take a class with them.</p>
<p>
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Besides, in this day and age, graduate school is what counts anyway.
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<p>In my experience at grad school (one ivy and one top 50 school), I was often left scratching my head as to how some people managed to make it through undergrad. Once admitted to grad school, it is really, really hard not to get a passing grade-I knew people who never showed up, got incompletes and made up the work (the same cannot be said for undergrad, especially undergrad at Dartmouth as my D could line up a bunch of people who would beg to differ).</p>
<p>
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Of course, there are always powder puff courses even at Harvard Princeton Yale and Dartmouth
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<p>Please help out the incoming Frosh by identifying such courses. It would be a big help to them. :D</p>