<p>Hi-my son is going to stanford in the fall. As a parent I'd like to know what things you feel you should've brought to the dorm ( or NOT brought) now that you're living there for a while. Things not obviously on the list of what to bring. Thanks-any insight will help me as a first time college mom.</p>
<p>I guess...
-small fridge
-tv would be nice but it definitely is a big procrastination problem
-movies
-a board game or two</p>
<p>Bring a camera! Preferably digital. There will be many opportunities to use it during freshman year.</p>
<p>Bring a towel/blanket to study on when it's nice and warm outside.</p>
<p>A couple more questions about the intro math and physics series:</p>
<p>marlgirl, how do you think your current physics classes would be (difficulty- and understanding-wise) if you had take 40 series physics instead of 60? Also, I've never really been exposed to optics, thermo, waves, or fluid mechanics...I went from a semester of mechanics in 9th grade to an entirely non-mathematical course in 11th grade to AP Physics C in 12th...would this cause problems in the 60 series?</p>
<p>Sly Si, since you took both 60 physics and 50H math, did the math series teach you what you needed to know for physics? For example, at the end of the year, were you able to actually solve differential equations as well as prove things about them? Did you get any physical understanding about things like div, grad, and curl, or were they covered strictly in abstract mathematical terms?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance...I know I keep asking about these sequences, but I really appreciate all the information.</p>
<p>My daughter asked some questions at the physics open house at admit weekend and this is what they told her:</p>
<p>Physics 60 series is theoretical treatment and basically for physics majors.</p>
<p>about 30% of eventual physics majors take the 40 series as freshman skipping some of them due to ap credit</p>
<p>It isn't a good idea to wait and take the 60 series until you're a sophomore.</p>
<p>And if you're thinking about majoring in physics the 60 series gives you a good idea of whether you will like it or not</p>
<p>The more theoretical math sequence is not necessary or recommended if you want to major in physics</p>
<p>I hope this helps --</p>
<p>skatearabia:</p>
<p>If you don't have at least some understanding of multi calc/diffeq, and you take the 50H series, you'll have to pick up a lot on the fly in physics. This is possible, as the physics classes are pretty good about teaching you to actually DO the stuff. But the 50H series does it all from an abstract standpoint. For example, we didn't even cover div/grad/curl, except as very special cases of a more general (and much harder) "exterior derivative", which we studied extensively.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information, guys. Every bit helps.</p>
<p>I do have a pretty good understanding of multivariable calc and diffeqs, but I think I've decided against 60 series physics anyway (in favor of 50H). I just read a little bit on the exterior derivative...all that abstraction sounds awfully intriguing.</p>
<p>Of course, this decision will probably last all of six weeks before something else happens to change my mind. Either way, thanks again for the help.</p>
<p>If all of that sounds "awfully intriguing" to you, you belong in 50H. Good luck figuring out what forms are next winter :)</p>
<p>Are you able to take the 40 series Physics courses without taking any AP Physics C exams? I've got a 5 on the Physics B, and I'm thinking of taking 40 (not 60 series), but I don't want to skip any of the courses in the series (my teachers were AWFUL)... so can I just start 41 in the fall with just a 5 on the B?</p>
<p>Absolutely.</p>
<p>I wanted to ask about fall IHUMS. Which would you recommend? I know visions of mortality and journeys are popular, but journeys has a totally new reading list this year--do you think that will make a big difference in the quality of the course? Also, what do you think of the Art of Living? </p>
<p>Also, is there a reliable website for looking up info on professors (for example, if I was choosing an introsem and wanted to see what students thought of the prof).</p>
<p>The only site I know of is <a href="http://www.ratemyprofessor.com%5B/url%5D">www.ratemyprofessor.com</a></p>
<p>Try here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=191138%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=191138</a> for IHUM info.</p>
<p>Ok, I looked through that thread and everyone pretty much hates "The Human and the Machine". I'm looking for something easy (I really dislike the humanities) and the only ones I found remotely interesting were "Technological Visions of Utopia" and "The Human and the Machine". </p>
<p>Between these two, which would you choose? Also, can you take a different fall IHUM in your winter quarter? The winter IHUMs seem boring.</p>
<p>There is a certain set of IHUMs offered in the fall. Then, for winter and spring, there is a different set of IHUMs that span those two quarters.</p>
<p>Human and the Machine was the easiest this year, but try not to let that be a deciding factor for you. Relatively, "Technological Visions of Utopia" is harder. It was a lot of work, but I had a great time in "Freedom, Equality, Difference" - it provided a comprehensive look at the nuances of legal philosophy. Definitely for IHUM choose the one with the most interesting reading list and faculty.</p>
<p>FED sounds awesome, even though I'm doing SLE... :(</p>
<p>What is "Journeys" like? I'm thinking about making it my #1 because Tobbias Wolff is one of the professors teaching it.</p>
<p>I've heard good things about Journeys. I don't think it's much work either.</p>