Japanese 3 (5 units)
Calc 3 (aka multivariable) (4 units)
Linear Algebra (3 units)
Physics 2: Electricity and Magnetism (5 units)
I tend to struggle with math, but those courses are necessary for my major. Is this schedule a bad idea or should I drop Japanese? The reason I wanted to take Japanese is because in the Spring I’ll only need to take two classes (I’m a CCC and that’ll be my last semester before I transfer) and I wanted to take Japanese to fill my schedule (and Jp 3 is only offered in the Fall, Jp 4 only offered in the Spring), so I would need to take Jp 3 this Fall if I want to take Jp 4 next Spring. I really wanted to complete all of the Japanese language courses before I transferred, just as a personal goal of mine. I don’t even need it for any language requirement because I already took the first two and I’ve taken an AP foreign language test (in a language other than Japanese).
If it helps, the math courses are on the same days of the week, while physics and Japanese are on the same days (but separate days from the math courses) but physics is in the morning and Japanese is at night.
Also, I took Japanese 1 and 2 during my first year, and during my second year I wasn’t able to take Jp classes, except for a Japanese conversation class this past Spring. So I’ll be returning to that language from essentially a one year hiatus. But I wanted to retain that momentum from the conversation course and to take the language courses again before I further forget what I’ve learned.
Is it manageable? Are 4 year university schedules typically like this? I really can’t afford to not pass another math class again since they’re major requirements and prereqs for other major requirements and I can’t spend another semester here to make up for failed classes. Or should I just toughen up and take them all and stop worrying over something that is probably standard at 4 years?
Can you take Linear Algebra next semester?
If you struggle with math then why are you majoring in something that’s so heavy in it?
What is your major?
The two math classes are the problem, not the Japanese, which it sounds like you really enjoy.
Are both of these math courses required for the transfer degree or could you take one later?
For me personally, how heavy a schedule is depends on how spaced out the classes are. In the past, I’ve tried to aim for no more than two classes every day, but I had to give that up last semester when I realized I needed to meet my requirements. I know exactly what you mean about needing to take a class in the fall so you can meet the pre-req in the spring; two of the five classes I’m taking next semester are for the same reason.
But, next semester I have four classes on Tuesday/Thursday (and one on Monday/Wednesday), and ultimately I’ll be in class from 9:30 to 12:30, and 2:00 to 5:00. But even that’s preferable to last semester, when my Tuesdays and Thursdays went from 9:30 to 2:00. Trying to find a way to eat between classes is very stressful.
Anyway, what I’m saying is I think the first thing you should do is consider what time all these classes are held (and, if they’re back to back, how close geographically they are). That may help you decide.
@AroundHere physics. im not necessarily bad at math but im not an A student. a B- student is more like it. i do enjoy it sometimes, but then other times it’s so theoretical/pure that it just drags. not that i think it’s boring, because i do find math very cool. but i wish we were taught with applications to science or business or economics. it would make the math feel much more relevant to see it presented that way in the classroom rather than just pure math problems for their own sake. but unfortunately most teachers here don’t see it that way. i just think we would learn so much more if we were taught math w/ an interdisciplinary lens than just purely learn about math. plus ive never been one to enjoy doing math homework. i do enjoy physics and other math-heavy science homework though. but ironically the math homework is what tends to drive my grade and satisfaction down in math classes though.
and as for enjoying japanese…i admit that sometimes i don’t enjoy it because i dont have enough time to full devote to it so it ends up becoming a chore (memorizing stuff for a quiz, being behind on homework ect) or when the class is taught real fast that we barely have any time to use what we just learned before jumping into a new chapter that builds upon stuff (though that’s part of having enough time to devote to it outside of class)
but this was over a year ago when i had a busier schedule and im coming in again w/ fresher motivation this time.
and both classes are required as a pre-req for differential equations which is another transfer requirement (and ill be taking that next spring, which is why i need to take both linear and calc 3 at the same time in the fall. also, the 3rd physics course i need to take has those prereqs as well so if i were to take one math course at a time i wouldnt be able to take the next physics course for one semester. so i really need to do both at the same time during the fall to transfer on time (ive already spent 2 years here, this upcoming school year is my 3rd. and i absolutely refuse to spend 4 years at a community college lol)).
@MYOS1634 it’s intro to linear algebra. and yes, i can.
@Philpsych yeah that’s pretty how much how i think about it too. this semester ill have two classes per day, with a 2 hour break on two of the days and then a 9 hour break on one day and a 5 hour break on another. pretty sweet schedule imo, except for the night class but that’s japanese.
It sounds like the two math classes is a hard requirement, and the Japanese would at least give you a break from math problem sets. It’s not necessarily going to be your favorite semester, but it sounds reasonable given the needs for your major.
Linear algebra is sometimes taught in multiple departments. The math department will be more theoretical but check and see if it’s offered to engineering or CS students as an applied math class. You might like it better. (Assuming the applied version also meets the prereq.)
I’m sure you’ve heard this plenty of times, but have to do your math homework! Your homework is where you get fast at the computational aspects of the class. If you can work the computational part quickly, that’s what buys you time to think through the theory part on the exams. And if you continue with physics, you will definitely get to see the math applied.
Good luck!