<p>So I'm coming in this fall as a junior transfer. At orientation, they had us sign up for 3 classes, so that our workload wouldn't be too heavy. However, I didn't get one of the classes I wanted, so when I came home, I decided to waitlist for that one as well What I realized once I waitlisted, however, is that there are no scheduling conflicts if I take 4 classes. I'm still a bit nervous about the curriculum at UCLA, as well as the fast-paced quarter system, but I'm considering keeping the 4th class, even if I get into the waitlisted one. I'm also planning to join 2 or 3 extracurriculars, and hopefully join a sorority, which I know is a big time commitment. So I guess what I'm wondering is if anyone else has been in a similiar situation, and advice on whether I should keep the 4 classes, or if I should ease myself in like the Orientation Counselors suggested. Thanks so much in advance for any help!</p>
<p>“what the mind can concieve and believe, it can achieve”-napolean hill</p>
<p>if you can see yourself accomplishing all of that, go for it.
If you feel your boat might sink, take off a little responsibility.</p>
<p>I haven’t been in your situation, and you don’t have to take my advice, but maybe you could rush a sorority in the Spring? I personally know quite a few girls who joined sororities their first quarter at UCLA and got thrown into this whirlwind of Greek events. They never really found the time to branch out and hang out with many people outside their circle. It could be a good thing if that’s exactly what you want, but you seem interested in other extracurricular activities too so why not spend your first quarter trying those out?</p>
<p>Are you just going to school, or will you be working part time as well?</p>
<p>Whether you should take 3 or 4 classes depends on the difficulty of the class and your interest in it. What’s the workload? Once you get the syllabus for each class, you’ll get an idea of the time commitment necessary for each. If you have some familiarity with the material, or a great deal of interest in the subject that will keep your interest, it makes taking more courses easier.</p>
<p>Fall, really, is the best time to get involved in the extracurriculars if you can, so my suggestion to incoming students, be they transfers or frosh is to take the minimum (as your counselor suggested) to ease yourself into the rigor of university life. </p>
<p>The quarter system is fast-paced, and if you’re majoring in English or Political Science, there’s some pretty intense reading and preparation involved. Keep that in mind.</p>