<p>Physics 7A: 3 hrs LEC+2 hr DIS+2 hrs LAB: 4 units
Engineering 10:3 hrs LEC+3 hrs DIS: 3 units
Math 1B: 3 hrs LEC+3 hrs DIS: 4 units
Music 20A: 3 hrs LEC: 2 units
German R5A: 3 hrs LEC+DIS?: 4 units
Engineering 98: 1 hr LEC: 1 unit
Elementary Badminton: 3 hrs: 0.5 unit <--Waitlisted</p>
<p>Total: 18 (18.5) units</p>
<p>I know 18 units is suicidal for a freshman, so I'm thinking of dropping one of the classes, but which class should I drop?</p>
<p>That is an extremely heavy course load for a freshman and I would advise you drop either Physics 7A, Engineering 10, or Math 1B. I understand that you may be extremely bright, but it’s absolutely not necessary to kill yourself like that in your first semester here. In my opinion, I would keep German R5A, Engineering 98, Music 20A, Math 1B, and Engineering 10. Physics 7A can wait. I would also advise you to drop Badminton, but I don’t know. That would reduce your course load to 4+1+2+4+3=14 units, which I think is much more pragmatic and manageable for your first semester.</p>
<p>engineering here to, and some solid advice I’d heard was to take no more than 2 “hard” technical classes (math, physics, e7, etc), 1 “easy” technical class (e10, seminar, etc), and 1 humanities/social studies/AC/etc class to be balanced and stay sane. Works out to 16ish units, which is also what I hear is a good course load usually.</p>
<p>But according to the undergrad program in ME table in the college of eng guide says that in the first semester, a freshman is recommend to take Math 1A/1B, Chemistry 1A/4A/Physics 7A, E10/E7, one R&C course/one H&SS course, and one 1 unit seminar. I can AP out of Chem 1A and Math 1B, so that left me with the schedule listed above. Are three technical courses really too much?</p>
<p>If you AP’d out of Math 1B (meaning a 5 on BC), take advantage of it and go straight into Math 53. From what I hear, Math 53 is actually easier than Math 1B. Taking Math 53 with Hutchings might be a better option for you. </p>
<p>However, I’m still going to reiterate what I said above. You should take German R5A, Engineering 98, Music 20A, Math 53, and Engineering 10. That should be a good schedule.</p>
<p>Also, I agree with rofflez. 3 technical classes in your first semester at UC Berkeley is packing it on a little hard. With the schedule I planned for you, you’re only taking 8 units of technical classes (Math 53, Engineering 98, and Engineering 10), which I think is ideal for your first semester here.</p>
<p>Thank you for your concern. I guess I’ll just take physics some other time. I think I’m fine as long as I graduate in four years.</p>