<p>When people say a class is hard at UVA, they don't mean it's hard because people aren't properly prepared (though I'm sure that factors into it). A hard class could mean: departmental harsh curving (...lots of classes do this at UVA), specific professor who grades very harshly, too much material in too short of a time regardless of prior experience, etc.</p>
<p>But, as first years, it is up to you all to not listen to everyone and make your own mistakes and come to your own conclusions about how hard certain classes are. Obviously, there are people in every class who get As. But there are also people in every class who fail. And who would voluntarily take a class to fail. Plus all of those people in the middle... Everyone on CC wants an A, how would you feel about getting a C because the class was too much for your first semester? Regardless of your high school prep, APs, dual enrollment, etc, living at college and learning is emotionally and intellectually different from high school. You need time to let your mind adjust.</p>
<p>The number one indicator of success here is how many credits someone takes. I'm not even kidding. If you have to spend more time on a class when you are carrying 4 other classes versus only 3, then you will not do as well. When you have 3 tests in one week (believe me... you will), you will understand. It's not like high school. These midterms/finals can be 50-100% of your grade. They actually matter substantially. Yes, those 3 tests you have in one week could all count for 50% of your grade.</p>
<p>No class at UVA is a cakewalk. My astr121 class constantly had D test averages. I'm sure there were a significant number of athletes in the class, and the tests from that class can't compare to rigorous science classes, but they weren't "Get 10 points for writing my dog's name" tests either, you had to study for quite a few hours and apply the things from the book to the tests in ways that were never discussed specifically in class. I'm sure the intro stat class is similar.</p>
<p>Balance out easy classes with hard classes. You have EIGHT semesters to take everything you want. Don't kill yourself during your first semester. Take a class load that will be interesting and challenging but not overkill. </p>
<p>Also, no way should you take 325 without 132. That's like how math 310 only requires calc 2 but there are double integrals involved significantly so calc 3 should really be the requirement. They waive requirements for people who are short on time to complete the major/minor is my guess, not for first years. You want to have every opportunity to succeed in a class: if everyone else knows how to do a certain integration technique and you don't, guess who is going to do worse on the test. Yup. Don't put yourself in that position voluntarily.</p>
<p>Also remember that college also includes making friends, being independent, etc. Really, do you want to be stuck in your room every weekend because you can't pass your classes or get the GPA you want if you have a social life? If you're asking for our advice, don't throw it back in our faces that you think it doesn't apply to you and that you're better than what we say. If you're going to do that then why should we bother giving you any advice. We've all been where you are, we've all made mistakes that hurt our GPA (or had friends that did, or something, in any case we've seen it happen), so you can repeat old mistakes or actually listen when an upperclassmen says "that's not the best idea" and be better for it. Not that we aren't wrong some times. But just breathe, slow down, and think, "Do I really want to take this class my first semester when there are so many other good classes I could take?"</p>