Is my fall semester course load too much?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hey guys, I've been thinking about my potential course choices for the fall and feel kinda anxious... I'd like to major in the Geosciences and on the department site they recommend that freshman take CHM 201 or 207, PHY 103, and MAT 104 for their fall semester. There's also this FRS seminar that qualifies as one of the department's required introductory courses that I really, REALLY (times a googolplex) want to take. Plus, I'd rather take an FRS that satisfied the intro course requirement than take another 200-level intro GEO class later on.</p>

<p>The problem is, I also want to learn Chinese (and kind of need to in order to satisfy the language requirement) and was assigned a writing seminar for the fall. I've read from the Student Course Guide that CHI, WRI, and PHY take up loads of time and are difficult and that the math department is terrible... so I'm a bit stressed out. Five courses? That seems like I'd have no time for extracurriculars. :(</p>

<p>Fall:
CHI 101
PHY 103
MAT 104
FRS
WRI</p>

<p>I also feel kinda intimidated by all my brilliant Princeton classmates, haha. I scored a 5 on AP Chem and AP Physics B junior year and 5 on Calc AB senior year (800 MSAT), but I don't have any experience in the topics covered by Physics C or Calc BC since those courses were not offered at my school, and I didn't really want to self-study for them. My calculus teacher was amazing though, truly one of the best in the nation (I think she received an award?), and many of her former students say that Calc II was a breeze because she had already taught them much of it. Is Princeton's Calc II harder because it's "Princeton"?</p>

<p>I'm thinking of applying for a term change for the writing seminar, but I'm not sure if I have a compelling enough reason for one...</p>

<p>So yeah, apologies for my lack of conciseness... but please, any advice or insight would help. :) And if you could refer me to anyone who is currently majoring in the department, please do! There are hardly any Geoscience majors compared to Econ haha.</p>

2

<p>Yes, Calc II is harder because it’s Princeton. </p>

<p>I think you should write and ask. Couldn’t hurt. Just try to let them know exactly how earnest/passionate you are about the FRS in geosciences and all of the rest of these conflicts.</p>

3

<p>Alright, will do. :slight_smile: I sincerely hope they’ll allow for a term change. Thanks Ray!</p>

4

<p>If you’re good at math, MAT 104 is fairly easy, especially compared to MAT 201. It will take up less time than all of your other courses (save the freshman seminar). Chinese and Physics in particular are tough and time consuming. You might have a tough time convincing your adviser that you can take 5 classes, but I would say that if it is overwhelming, you can always drop a class up to the 9th week in (which you can, by the way, if you didn’t know). That might reassure them.</p>

5

<p>Chinese is going to KILL in this particular setup. Deflation is also super tough in the Chinese department, so you’re going to have to work even harder for an A than you would have to normally. But if you’re really interested in Chinese, I would try pushing 104 to the spring since it’s offered both terms. I made the mistake of not taking Japanese in the fall of my sophomore year and had a wait until the next fall to begin (setting me back in my goals) since the 101-102 sequence requires a fall start.</p>

6

<p>well, this is a great fall schedule. please do not make the mistake that you can do a hard version of a course. no one will really care</p>

<p>princeton is hard. and you’re up against the best, don’t ever forget… i had a similar fall schedule, but took 4 classes (and glad i did).</p>

7

<p>So what did you choose? I would also have suggested to only take 4 courses the first semester. Also it is best not to take more than 2 very heavy workload courses per semester. Mix technical and non technical courses. If you are in doubt about a course please go talk with the instructor. This is very useful because you’ll learn how accessible he or she is.</p>

<p>Good Luck.</p>