<p>I'm thinking about taking Physics:210 (math methods for engineering and science). My advisor has told me it will be mostly full of sophomore engineering students and I will be a first year. Is this something I should be concerned about? Will I be behind academically (although I have fulfilled the prereqs though AP classes)?</p>
<p>Not neccessarily. I took (completely different discipline) American Literature Before 1865 the first semester of my first-year, I was the only first-year in that course and it was pretty advanced analysis and with a professor who told us on the first day of class that he “did not believe” in giving A’s. So that was fun. </p>
<p>But basically I just went up to him after class and introduced myself, told him I was a first-year, but that I had 5’s on this and that AP exam and that I really wanted to take the course. He said it was fine, just to make sure that I kept up with the reading and that the class was going to move very quickly so if I felt like I needed things explained to me more in depth I should come to office hours. And I did pretty well, I even got an A- on one assignment. </p>
<p>So don’t worry. The benefit of classes filled with first-years is that the professor really holds your collective hands throughout the course, but not everyone needs that hand holding or at least they don’t always need it all the time in every class. If you think you’re ready and you want to take the class, then take it. Just take advantage of office hours and be honest with yourself, if you feel like you’re really getting in over your head, ask about taking it pass fail or using your free drop.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. :)</p>
<p>The difference between a smith engineer and a gov major? Three words vs three paragraphs.</p>
<p>Being equally smithies we arrive in the same place.</p>
<p>haha </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Smithieandproud and smithiegr, you are wonderful! I love your helpful, positive, thoughtful, intelligent, detailed, true-to-yourself answers and your senses of humor. My daughter’s arriving on campus in just a few days as a first-year and I’m looking forward to her developing lovely, long-term friendships with wonderful women like you.</p>
<p>Aww, thanks! It’s fun to share something you love with others. I hope your daughter has a great beginning, I wish I was in her shoes and starting all over again.</p>
<p>Thanks! I second S&P and wish your daughter the best. :)</p>
<p>I was at the student/parent farewell reception on Monday out in front of Seelye hall. I wandered over to the “Physics” sign, not because my daughter is interested in Physics, but because I majored in Physics a third of a century ago, and they looked lonesome. It’s a really small, intimate department that graduates six or seven physics majors every year, so I bet that if you take the course and find that you’re in a bit over your head, you can get plenty of help from the professors. I’d say check out the alternatives. If the next-less-advanced course is too much of a review for you, it might be a waste of your time to take it.</p>
<p>So, McPucks, what did you do? Do you feel, a couple weeks into the semester, that you made the right choice?</p>
<p>I ultimately decided to take the class. While it is a challenge, based on the people I talk to in the class, everyone is struggling a little bit. The topics are pretty interesting and I’m learning a lot. It will probably be my hardest class this semester overall, but well worth taking. Plus, the professor (Gary Felder) has been really good as well as helpful so far.</p>
<p>Way to go McPucks! Good for you for having the courage to take the plunge. So many people sell out on themselves by allowing themselves to listen to the little voice in the back of their heads that whispers “physics is too hard, you can’t do it.”</p>
<p>I’m glad you went for it! </p>
<p>FWIW, my daughter was told EVERY semester by her advisers that her load was too tough. But she did it anyway. Advisers are supposed to protect students from themselves, and sometimes err on the side of caution.</p>