I have a few questions involving my current grades (specifically for calculus), registering for classes, and getting a job, so I’ll explain my whole story (sorry if it’s a long read, questions are toward the end).
I graduated high school spring of last year. I took an elective biotech class in high school (which mostly focused on molecular biology), and I thought it was the most interesting subject. I enrolled at Saddleback College planning to transfer to a UC school and planning to major in biochemistry/molecular biology. I met with a Saddleback transfer counselor who did not give me great advice, but did show me assist.org and other methods to do research for transferring. I was able to use nine AP courses for general ed requirements (IGETC), so now I only need to take a couple art history classes to complete it.
I took the basics for my first semester at Saddleback (general English, general chemistry, and calculus II). I easily passed chemistry (took AP chemistry in high school), I got a C in English because I misinterpreted my professor’s prompts (my fault or hers is up for debate), and I had to drop with a “W” for calculus because I knew I wouldn’t get at least a C.
During the winter break I got a part-time job (morning shift–there were around five people doing the same job but at staggered times) at a local laboratory where I weighed out small portions of soil and water samples to be used for testing done by the chemists (I also cleaned around the lab when there were few orders). I talked with my work supervisor and set up my spring semester so that my mornings would be free for work, but (right when the spring semester started) I found out I was laid off in the annual layoff my employer had at the beginning of each year (I ended up working about a month total). I was quite mad that they didn’t even give me a chance (and I had to take physics on the weekend so that my mornings would be clear).
Last semester (spring) I took the second semester of general English, second semester of general chemistry, general physics, and calculus II (again). A few weeks into the semester I got a job at another local laboratory as a part-time glassware washer and laboratory cleaner (they wanted me to work the afternoon shift because they already had someone in the morning, but because of my school schedule, we compromised). After two months I was let go because I was too slow and cautious for a job that needed to be fast like a production line (even though I multitasked as much as humanly possible). My employer said I needed to be able to change my mentality from a chemist to a production line worker to be able to work in the job I had.
I have my grades back for the semester: A in English, A in chemistry, B in physics (even though I got 100% with the curve on the final), and D in calculus II (only needed 22 more points on a 200 point final :L). For the fall I have registered for organic chemistry, general biology, history of cinema (online), calculus II (again again, but this time only an 8 week class and an easier professor), and second semester of general physics (even though I don’t have the calculus II prereq, it’s my same professor, so he’ll let me take it).
My first question would be: am I scheduling my classes correctly? (for spring 2017 I plan on taking second semester of organic chem, second semester of general biology, another art history class, and genetics)
I’m really bummed about having to take the calculus class again again, especially since it’s the last math class I have to take for my major. I have the mentality that memorizing derivatives, integrals, and integral techniques (the entirety of the course material) is pointless when computer programs solve the problems faster and more efficiently than I ever could. So when I try to study, I can’t because I don’t have the mentality that it’s important. I’ve read arguments that math classes teach you problem solving or they serve as a base of knowledge or you need it to convert a science problem into a mathematical problem. But I can’t see why can’t the class focus on the concepts and have a formula sheet for tests (similar to a physics class) so there’s less emphasis on rote memorization. Right now I’m just banking on my next professor being easier going (from what I read on ratemyprofessor, seems so). Any additional advice? Also I was told that I will be able to replace my D grade with a higher grade (if I get one), how does that look for transferring?
Another problem I have is that my dad has been pressuring me every day to look for another job. As you can tell, I don’t want to work the typical part-time, no experience job (restaurant, retail, etc.). But it is difficult to find those low experience jobs in biotech labs (because of credential inflation, GMPs, and FDA regulations). My dad thinks I should get a job at UCI, how would I go about that? Should I try looking for internships (where could I find them)? Or are jobs as an undergrad unnecessary?