I’m an incoming pre med freshman and my schedule is currently this:
Bio 172, Chem 130, Perspectives on Women’s Health, and Vampires and monsters (that’s an amcult freshman seminar).
I’m planning on majoring in biomolecular science or biology, not sure exactly which yet.
So obviously two of those classes should be pretty easy, but I’m really worried for bio 172 and chem 130. I’ve just finished IB in high school and I did well, so i have a good work ethic and am prepared to study really hard, but I’ve heard that it’s really hard to get an A in either of those classes. Is it a mistake to take both bio and chem at the same time first semester freshman year? I also am going to be working and hopefully joining the Daily/other student orgs, so I want to make sure I have time for everything. Is it doable for me to get A’s in those classes or should I swap out Bio 172 for the first year writing requirement and take english 124 instead???
@lilah11235813 Well just FYI most of the first year writing classes are closed atm…
Either way, I think it will be challenging, but it certainly won’t be impossible. As long as you keep that good work ethic from high school I’m sure you’ll do great in both of those classes. It will be a fair amount of pressure to do well in these classes since they are both pre-med related classes, but I don’t see why one wouldn’t be able to do well in both. The average for both classes is around a B, and around 20-25% of kids should be getting an A in the class. A lot of pre-med students have to double up at some point for science classes (including myself), and so while I wouldn’t recommend it first semester of freshman year, it certainly is not impossible for you to do well in both.
I think you’ll be fine. As someone who struggled with AP Chem in high school and didn’t do well on the national exam, Chem 130 is not that hard. Many students are required to take it at some point or another (many, many LSA majors, engineers need science credits, kines students have to take it) and it’s not quite a weeder class like BIO 171/172 are for pre-med or Calc 1 is for Ross and Calc 2 is for engineering. It’s a passable class and if you’re comfortable in chemistry you’ll do fine. Just put in the effort.
As for bio 172, I passed with a C with no background in biology and poor studying habits. I wanted to take it to cover my basics because I wasn’t quite set in a major yet, and I took it first semester of my freshman year, when I was still learning what it meant to REALLY pay attention in class and how to REALLY study material. I came from an tiny high school with two AP classes and no IB program, and I was used to getting A’s with flying colors and little effort, and that carried over into college for a while. There was a lot I could’ve done to do well in that class. If you have a background in biology, especially IB, and you know what “studying” in college really means, then I think you’ll be okay with that and Chem 130.
Women’s health will be fairly easy, maybe just time-consuming with papers or something and you’ll find time for activities. You’ll be fine with this schedule. If you change your mind, 124 is closed but 125 (they’re not all that different), still has scattered spots here and there, but I would recommend taking that second semester with your current schedule. It’s an easy A class as long as you put in the effort, but it’s a lot lot lot of time to write those dang 12 page papers.
Chem 130 should be relatively easy. My D took 210 and 215 in her freshmen year and they are a lot harder. Bio172 is also not that bad. My D did not take AP Biology in high school (actually no biology in junior/senior) and yet got an A in BIO 172 (which is required for certain engineering majors).