<p>Originally I planned to take 16 units during my first semester at Cal, but when I got to Calso, everyone seemed to be saying that you should take no more than 13-14. I am signed up for math 1a, chem 1a, German R5A, and a seminar. I understand that college classes are more work than HS classes, but I feel like I am going to have way too much free time because I am used to having 7 classes, 4 of them being APs. Are there any decent 2-3 unit classes that I can add that are not completely full yet?</p>
<p>You could use that free time to explore other things - student activites, clubs, movements, volunteering, etc. It doesn't have to be all about class. This is a GREAT time to figure out other clubs and stuff that you wanna join because after this first semester you'll get a better idea of how much work classes really are and how you manage your time.</p>
<p>Chem 1A was not more work than high school... people without AP Chem background passed this class with ease. </p>
<p>German R5A probably has less work than a high school english class... I mean for Fall 2007 we read like 6 books in Banwell's class and had 4 essays + 1 easy group project. I have to admit that I only finished 3 books and still did well on all essays.</p>
<p>Your course load isn't strenuous... I took 16 units first semester: chem 1a, german r5a, african studies 4a, geog 10 and still had plenty of free time and never pulled an all-nighter. Latest I went to sleep is probably around 11-12 ish with the last hour reserved for seeing floormates.</p>
<p>16 units should be fine (I took 16 my first semester and it wasn't a total workload shock or anything). German R5A is also a pretty easy course with only 3-4 short essays, 1 longer essays, and 1 easy presentation project at the end.</p>
<p>you should be fine with 16 units. i took 15, no problem. getting adjusted is tough for like the first 2 months or something but then you get the hang of it and its easy.</p>
<p>but you shouldn't even try to compare berkeley classes with hs ap classes. my senior year, i took 6 aps, and basically didnt have to do anything (like as in i went to class stoned all the time and never studied ever, which i could not ever in a million years do at berkeley) to get a's in all of them, and i got 4s and 5s. 13 units at berkeley is about 5 times as hard as a full schedule of ap's (i'm really not trying to scare you...lol).</p>
<p>unless, i guess, you went to private school where they actually teach you anything ever. i went to public. which brings about another point--if you went to public high school, expect a HUGE change. if you went to private, expect more of the same.</p>
<p>Why not take 13-14. What's the worst that could happen? You get all A+s and have time to join a club?</p>
<p>Keep you schedule. You will still have plenty of free time.</p>
<p>Fall 07 I had 16 units, was Bowles Hall secretary, and had plenty of free time.</p>
<p>well also u are taking math 1a and chem 1a at the same time... i hear that togetehr it is hard... but yah im taking 13 units and plan on spending my time not only in school</p>
<p>If you have the TTh 8AM German R5A class, I highly recommend dropping it. I'm... first on the waitlist...</p>
<p>Just kidding. You seem to be on the right track!</p>
<p>I'm #2 on the wait-list for a class I just added. Hopefully I'll get in, and then I can have 16 units! Yay! :D</p>