Second Semester, Freshman Year

<p>Son double majoring in EE and Physics (BEE and BS). When he went to EE dept. they told him he did not have to take a few of what are usually required courses because
they felt he already got that in Physics. So there were less requirements than even the website stated. So washdadjr may want to check it out in person.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions. WDjr has a tough schedule. Since he is ahead of other freshman, I suggested that he drop a class at the end of two weeks if it was looking scary. The 5-credit Physics class is the big dog in this schedule. Since he's taking accounting on my advice ("engineers who don't know a little about accounting, finance, and marketing get taken advantage of") it might be the drop candidate. The "Atom America" class fulfills a history elective requirement.</p>

<p>It turns out that his school owns their own very nice 18-hole golf course. The class is free, and as a student he can golf for $4 a round. I've told him that America is run by people who play golf and that it is a really easy, cheap way to learn a valuable job skill.</p>

<p>Registration by computer has its pros and cons- last year son scared us with his dropping and adding up to the "last minute"- we got the tuition bill before classes started for less than a full load (we got the whole table of fees and were able to pay for full time without late fees)- upset parents talked to him about how we expected him to take more than 12 credits, certainly not less; he did come through with plenty, that philosophy 101 course for freshmen only never will get taken...</p>

<p>D called me a couple weeks ago to go over courses for winter term. She is hoping to transfer next year, so choosing classes is important ... she has to find classes that will be sure to transfer. In addition, the winter term is very short, so she wanted to avoid certain classes during that time. For example, she'd prefer to take Spanish during the longer spring term, when there is more time to practice speaking. Fortunately, she has no problem with taking 8 am classes, so she was able to get into classes/profs she wanted. They only take 2 classes winter term, so she will only have Sociology & Comparative World Governments. She is disappointed with the prereq's necessary in order to take classes she wants. The school she hopes to attend is more flexible in allowing students to take courses without a lot of prereq's. She will survive, though, if she ends up staying where she is. There is no "perfect," as we all know!</p>

<p>I just spoke to WashDadJr on the phone. His Accounting class was canceled, so he has to sign up for "Armor Making" instead. I swear I'm going back to college...</p>

<p>Armor Making ???!!!!!!</p>

<p>Now that's not a "boy" class, though. I just watched a Modern Marvels segment on "Metals" (BTW, how are metals and corn "modern marvels", we don't get it?!) - anyway, there were several scenes of blacksmithing and metalworking at a university, and several of the smiths were - women! Good for the biceps</p>

<p>LOL - Armormaking! My younger son would love it.</p>

<p>I agree with the accounting - I'm sure I'd be better off with it.</p>

<p>I guess "Armor Making" is the answer to the question, "what do you offer in the fine arts at technical college that is 75% male?"</p>

<p>My D is in the midst of registering right now. I thought she was just having the usual difficulty in choosing classes for next semester because so many sounded interesting, then I caught on to the fact that she's trying to make headway in several disparate majors plus premed classes all at once: architecture, neurobiology & Spanish to start with and now creative writing too since she's gotten positive feedback in her freshman seminar class.</p>

<p>Since she didn't take any math or science first semester for the first time ever, her spring schedule right now looks like this: org chem, diff eq, Spanish, neuroscience, art history or creative writing and a one unit 'underwater basket weaving' course (my jargon for armor making type classes ;)).</p>

<p>WashDad, I'm impressed with the course offerings at your son's school! Those classes sound totally cool and interesting enough for young guys (and gals, too) to stay awake during class!</p>

<p>(I believe Reed College at one point actually had a class in underwater basketweaving.)</p>

<p>DD (Soph.) went through 2nd semester registration gyrations a few weeks ago -- but she also had to pretty much plan out courses for the rest of her undergrad career. She's trying to (1) fulfill her major (2) fulfill a minor (3) fulfill distribution requirements -- more at her school than some, it seems (4) fulfill courses needed to potentially go to Med School and (5) be able to go abroad 2nd sem. Jr. year as part of a really great, very different program run by another school. The only way it all works is if she does a few summer courses, partly because some courses she needs are only offered certain semesters. And here I thought college was 4 years -- how naive of me! </p>

<p>Oh, and the whole online registration thing? Hard to say if it's an improvement over my college days when all the departments sent up shop in the field house and we got our exercise running from table to table with stacks of "Drop/Add" slips. Now DD pleads via email with professors of "closed" courses.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I guess "Armor Making" is the answer to the question, "what do you offer in the fine arts at technical college that is 75% male?"

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, I see they also have "Knitting and Crochet."</p>

<p>Steel wool?</p>

<p>Steel wool?<<</p>

<p>Oh, Garland, oh, ROFLMAO, maybe I just need a laugh, but I'm giggling out loud now.</p>

<p>WashDad,
DS just moaned "I WANT THAT SCHEDULE!" (he's home sick today).<br>
Armor making? Both my kids would sign up for that one...
Seriously -- that schedule sounds awesome. Tough, but awesome.</p>

<p>BTW if anyone thinks Armormaking sounds like a cool course, if you are visiting Worcester Polytechnic Institute make a side trip to visit: Higgins</a> Armory Museum - Worcester, MA - A Museum of Arms and Armor</p>

<p>mathmom,
Yes, that is a cool museum! Our neighbors are from that area and mentioned it to us a few years ago. DS2 has bought armaments. :) The first time we went, DS1 was selected to be the "model" for the chainmail, because he was the right height and the only one slim enough to fit into it!</p>