Incoming college freshman in need of advice

Colleges and Universities A-Z Florida State University
1

I’ve happily committed to FSU. But I have very dire concerns, my main concern being the academic rigor for my freshman year.

I was accepted to honors, which requires me to take certain classes. I applied for UROP (time demanding), and I will find out if I am accepted or not by mid summer. I was recently invited for Bryan Hall, which also requires me to take certain classes. On top of that, I have the Freshman Scholarship. In order to retain this scholarship, I must take 15 credit hours each semester. Except I currently have 26 AP credits, and more (~25) to come once current testing is over, so I guess my introductory college course exemption from AP credits are out the window…

Am I in over my head? With all these classes I will have to take, possibly along with UROP, extracurriculars, volunteering, etc., it just feels overwhelming. It’s my first year, I want to have fun and enjoy the college experience while also maintaining a strong academic profile. Any thoughts?

My problem stems from my housing number (4500+), and I applied for the Bryan LLC to get better housing. After seeing my academic options, I’m not sure if I should decline the invite and accept my horrible housing number or stick with Bryan and deal with the requirements. What seems best?

Am I giving myself an unnecessarily large workload for freshman year? What should I do? Isn’t freshman year supposed to be easy, fun and relaxed? I start at FSU this summer, if that’s useful information.

MAJOR: biochemistry
CAREER: medicine

Thank you!

2

Is your window to choose housing BEFORE the deadline to commit to the LLC? Since you have been accepted into the Honors program you are eligible to live in Landis Hall, which is honors only. Even with a number in the 4000s you could still get a spot in Landis as they typical admit around the same number of honors students as spaces in Landis. If you are feeling uneasy about this you could contact the Honors Program directly and speak with them about availability in the honors dorm. They used to guarantee a spot in Landis or Gilchrist but I am not sure if that still applies.

15 credits is not tough to maintain if you balance your classes. UROP counts as 1 credit pass/fail each semester. There is also a required 1 credit Honors colloquium that is pass/fail spring semester. When you get to orientation they will give you a sheet where you can see the general education requirements. Slot your AP credits into that and see which GE credits are left and use those to fill in around your core science classes.