<p>If you were at my school, you’d get 4h for physics, 3h for genetics, 5h for orgo (w/ lab), and 3h for history, also totaling 15 hours. I have a few thoughts for you going off that makeup of hours. </p>
<p>1) If you want to stick with your biochem major, then you’ll have to stick with calc-based physics. Assuming you want to leave your options open (so you could stick with biochem or switch back to biology later), this is a good way to go because chances are you’d still be able to get a bio degree even with the harder physics.</p>
<p>2) Have you ever taken 2 lab sciences at the same time? Your school might be different, but at mine, the hours spent in lab are IN ADDITION TO the hours spent in class–so a 4h physics class which includes a lab would meet 3x a week for lecture (3h), 1x a week for discussion (1h) and then approximately 3h a week for lab. That’s 7h of class but only 4h of credit. Organic chemistry worked the same way: met 4x a week for lecture (4h), 1x a week for discussion (1h) and then approximately 4h a week for lab–8 or 9 hours of class but only 5h of credit. Do you know how lab classes at your school work? Is there any way you can find out how structured your lab is (ie, will formal lab write ups be required every week, or is it more of a “once you leave lab, you’re done with lab” type of thing?)? If it turns out that you think 2 lab sciences in a semester will be too tough (it will require a lot of work, but I’m sure many people do it every semester), look into taking one of the labs a different semester (if it’s possible to split them up.) Where I am, it’s typical for students to take organic 1 (just the lecture component) in the fall, then take organic 2 (the lecture componenet) with organic 1’s lab component in the spring. Will your school allow you to split them up? If so, that might be a way to lessen your load for next semester a little bit. </p>
<p>3) Since the semester’s starting so soon, no reason to juggle your schedule around now. By this point, I think your best bet is to give it a week and see what you can handle. It would probably be a good idea to do some research now though. I would recommend figuring out when the last possible day to drop a class without penalty is (financial or academic). For us, it’s about a week and a half after classes begin. Then, I would see if any syllabi are available online before classes start, or send an email to you future professors requesting the syllabus (profs love this–shows lots of initiative and insinuates that you’ll actually read it). With the syllabi in hand, you’ll be able to see how each of your classes graded assignments pan out. It might be good to make a calendar too. Now that you know how assignments/tests/papers would overlap, you can make a better judgment about which class to drop should it come down to that. If you end up deciding to drop a class, choose to drop the one which you could easily take spring semester or which isn’t required for your major. If that’s a little confusing, perhaps this example will help. </p>
<p>Let’s say classes start August 23 and you have until September 1 to drop a class without penalty. You receive copies of your syllabi and notice that, unfortunately, all your physics tests fall on the same day as all your genetics tests. Now that you know that information, you can go to a full week of classes to determine what to do. If genetics is really easy, then it might not be a problem for them to overlap, and you can stick with it. If genetics seems like it will be hard–dull professor, book that’s really hard to read, bad location, notoriously challenging tests, anything–then don’t be afraid to drop it and take it again a different semester. In this example, as long as you drop before September 1, you’ll get all your tuition money refunded and the class won’t show up in any way on your transcript. </p>
<p>4) Is there any specific reason you’re taking 15 hours? Do you need to maintain a certain number (or status as a full time student) to keep scholarships or aid? Financial aid would probably have the answer to this question if you’re unsure. </p>
<p>5) Plan to meet with each of your professors within the first month of class to tell them what’s going on with you. Frame it just like you framed this note–that you’re thrilled you had such a wonderful freshman year and are a little apprehensive about this challenging courseload you’ve undertaken for this semester. Chances are your professor will be sympathetic and willing to help you out, perhaps by giving you tips or helping you understand material so you don’t fall behind. Plus, knowing your professors will make it easier to ask for help later on, should you need it. </p>
<hr>
<p>Even though I don’t know you, it doesn’t seem like you’re in over your head. On the contrary, actually–it seems like you’re well aware that you’re potentially getting yourself into some hot water and are looking for a way to avoid that. It’s a very responsible thing to do! I just outlined what I would do if I were in your situation–how I would prepare myself and what I would do to create exit strategies. I’ve also found that the semesters when I’m the busiest are usually the semesters when I do the best–I don’t know if it’s because I’m more focused, or I manage my time better, or I’m not lazy, or all of the above–but I do know that my hardest semesters have turned out to be GPA boosters rather than bricks. It’s possible! Just work hard!</p>