<p>For my first semester of college this fall, I started off with 4 4-credit classes, but I ultimately ended up dropping my Calc 1 class because I realized I didn't want to pursue a math degree anymore and because I was afraid I'd do horribly due to my school's bad math reputation. (they were under review because too many students were failing, and I was advised by recent graduates to take math classes at a cc due to this fact)</p>
<p>However, I have an AP credit that goes through, so I'll be right on track with 32 credits at the end of this semester. I'm also taking a summer lit class during the first session, but I seem to be beating myself up over that lost class my first semester... </p>
<p>So, I either want to take a science class this summer (only gen ed I can take this session and which I'm not particularly fond of) or take 20 credits next semester and take a linguistics class (which I'd like) that counts for science. </p>
<p>I feel like I'm just desperately trying to prove myself, but should I be feeling this way? Will it look okay for grad school apps if I only took 12 credits my first semester? I feel like I've already messed up, and even though I have a great GPA, I feel like I should've chosen to fight instead of the flight option. </p>
<p>I also plan on working this summer and next fall, so I don't know how another class would affect that. I guess I'm just stuck on what to do. </p>
<p>First thing to do is to stop berating yourself! It is not a big deal and can easily be explained (as you just did) if it comes up when looking at grad schools…who will be more concerned about what is there than what is not, especially if math is no longer your major or your grad school aspiration. Just proceed as planned, you are not behind, and take what you need and what you like. Stressing about something that is in the past WILL NOT help you in the future, which you seem to have under control. Please look forward!</p>
<p>Agree that you need to give yourself a break. Fr year is a period of adjustment and it’s much better to take a lighter load but get good grades than to take more credits and start college with a gpa that you will be recovering from for the rest of your college career. </p>
<p>Not only did you not mess up, you did the right thing. Grad schools won’t be concerned that your first sem of fr year was light, after all it was still full time, they will care about your cumulative gpa, LORs, GREs, etc.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal. Both of my S’s dropped a class in their first semester. S1 dropped calculus. S2 dropped a fine arts elective. Both have now graduated and are doing well.</p>