I want to major in a business field or perhaps mathematics, but I’m really not set on anything yet. I’m gonna sign up for the following classes in the fall semester:
-Required health class (1 unit)
-Calculus 1 (3 units)
-Pre-major Advising (1 unit)
-Econ 101: Principles of Microeconomics (3 units)
-First Year Writing Class (3 units)
-MUS 110 - “introduce non-music majors to representative major works in the Western classical music canon” (3 units)
-Freshman Seminar: Neuroscience (3 units)
What I’m contemplating right now is whether or not I should take Calculus I and my First Year Writing Class in different semesters (maybe the former to be taken in the spring instead). I didn’t take calculus in high school. My writing is decent, but it’s still something I need to work on (most I’ve written is 8 pages minus the works cited in MLA). Suggestions?
In the spring, I would probably take macro (if econ 101 goes well), an introductory history course, an additional business course (if, again, micro goes well), a science course (neuro, envronmental, or astronomy) with no lab, and a lighter class like PE or something.
@NASA2014 “All first-year students enroll in a one-credit hour course called PACE 101[ Pre-Major Advising Connections at Emory Program] in their first semester. The course provides an introduction to the liberal arts at Emory and academic opportunities, introduces students to the Emory community, helps students understand College curriculum, requirements and policies, and offers strategies for managing time and health.”
This course load isn’t really double. Calculus 1 and Principles of Microeconomics and maybe introduce non-music majors to representative major works in the Western classical music canon are the only courses you’ll be taking next semester. Not sure how is your writing, do you like writing essays?
@incomingfreshmanboy do you have access to an academic advisor, and/ or first year student advising worksheets/ checklists for GenEd and potential major requirements? How many credits/ classes per semester are suggested for first semester students at your school? Where I teach 15 - 17 credits is standard for first semester students, and 15 - 19 credits is for more advanced students in good academic standing. If you have access to an advisor at your school, they should be able to help to make sure your schedule seems doable. Where I teach/ advise, I would say that schedule could be doable for a first semester student with solid time management skills, however, it may or may not be where you are attending school. Check wit an advisor if you can.
I think the health and advising courses will have no work outside attending the classes. My daughter had a freshman class that was a 1 credit class and all they had to do was swipe their IDs when they attended different activities around campus - sports, music concerts, student government activities, etc. Easy.
I think the others are a good balance. You want some classes that have quizzes and tests, some that have written assignments. You don’t want 5 courses that all have a lot of reading and papers, don’t want 4 courses that all have labs. Mix it up, and you seem to have a good mix.
@KatMT I do, and she recently emailed me to set up a 30 minute appointment via phone call or skype. Unfortunately, I am overseas so my U.S. phone is out of service, not to mention that I have limited internet access. I will not be back in the U.S. until a week before move-in day. I actually plan to email her today about my circumstances, and hope that she is willing to communicate through email.
Personally I would keep it. I did 18 credits for 6 semesters. I know many people here recommend starting at 12 or so credits but that never made a lot of sense to me. I found it beneficially to reduce to 15 credits the semester I had a 3 credit internship that required 10 hours a week at the internship. My last semester I had my 6 semester internship (over 20 hours a week plus transportation time), internship weekly seminar (no additional credit but required), senior seminar which involved a big project, and 1 more 3 credit class to maintain full time status for financial aide. Had I started out with just 12 credits there was no way I could have managed my last semester needing 18 credits. I never took or wanted to take summer classes and internships were not allowed in the summer