<p>I took 4 classes this past Fall semester, and my grades are pretty funky considering my poor time management. I raked in two A's, one C, and a D (in English)! I was in good standing for awhile but due to some issues in my personal life, I kind of bombed the midterm and didn't do so hot on the last two essays or the final. What's sad is that this was an introductory English course (ENG 100), which I plan on redoing next semester in the Spring. Because of this, I may fall behind if I don't take 5 classes this upcoming semester, and I'm planning on transferring to UCSD for Fall '12, which I've read only admits students for the Fall quarter. I REALLY want to turn this around and transfer in a timely manner.</p>
<p>So, my fall semester looks a little something like this:
1.) Chem 108<a href="online;%20lecture;%20preparatory%20chemistry;%20pre-req%20for%20the%20General%20Chemistry%20lec%20+%20lab%20series">/b</a>
2.) **Math 101<a href="college%20algebra;%20also%20taking%20online">/b</a>
3.) **English 100<a href="retake">/b</a>
4.) **Sociology 101
5.) **Philosophy 102<a href="morals%20and%20contemporary%20issues">/b</a></p>
<p>I understand that taking on this kind of workload is dependent on the individual, and I know that with proper time management and discipline, I can do this. But to you guys, does this look practical?</p>
<p>If you apply yourself and you don’t slack off you will be totally fine. I am not an exceptionally brilliant student, 3.4 GPA and I am just finishing up CC. However, I took 5 classes EVERY semester. It was hard work at times esp. when I started taking more advanced classes at the same time but this last semester ended with 3 A’s and 2 B’s because I made sure to put in the effort. When it comes to classes I go by the idea of “no regrets”. By the end of the semester who knows what my grade is but at least I did everything within my power to succeed. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>^ Thanks girly, very helpful and inspiring post. Unfortunately for me, I’m hoping to go into UCSD as a Human Biology major, which is impacted, meaning I will REALLY have to stay on top of my game for as close to a 4.0 as possible to be a good candidate. Additionally, I’ll be taking one chemistry and one biology course next fall (each lecture with their own lab components), so 5 classes then wouldn’t be a wise decision. I also would love to catch up to my original game plan, but now I won’t even be able to start the Calculus series because of my screw-up. If anything, I could do it over the summer directly before my transfer, but that wouldn’t make any difference in my UC admission.</p>
<p>What I really lacked this semester was structure and not using my time efficiently. I just procrastinated a whole lot - basically doing my homework whenever I wanted to and finished whenever I could. I think that by actually setting up a schedule and adhering to it, I could totally accomplish all of my work when I need to.</p>
<p>Good luck with getting into Berkeley (and Santa Cruz) by the way! Keep us in the loop!</p>
<p>^ Bear in mind, I’m not the most bright nor the most academically savvy student who has yet mastered time management and discipline. But thank you for the insightful post. ;)</p>
<p>I’m just wondering…what would a standard courseload for a student on the semester system be? I’m on the quarter system and I usually take 4 classes. Shouldn’t kids on the semester system be taking like 5-6 classes each semester without fail?! </p>
<p>But you’re deffs going to have to stay on top of things to get the good stuff (lol). It seems like you already know what you did wrong, so really all you have to do is focus!</p>
<p>As long as your dedicate yourself and manage your time wisely, especially with that online class, you can do well. And since you are retaking a class you’ll definitely have to excel in that class :)</p>
<p>The chemistry class I’m taking this semester is a preparatory course and pre-requisite for the Gen Chem series - which I’m starting over the summer. Thaaat’s gonna suck, haha.</p>
<p>@redoplease: Community college semesters are typically 17 weeks. That gives us a tonnnn of time for classes as opposed to UC’s 10-week quarters. 12 units is usually the minimum to be considered a full-time student, equating to anywhere from 3-5 courses. In order to transfer to a UC, you’d need to tackle 60 transferrable units, which can be done in two years at a CC. Unless you’ve started in remedial courses (like yours truly ;)), I have to take courses over the summer to catch up since some of the classes I’ve taken don’t count as transferrable credit.</p>
<p>LOL yeah I’m a transfer too, I do Nah’what you mean. I’m from De Anza where we’re on the good ol’ quarter system…so I’m just confused how you kids on the semester system get all those IGETC/major/double major/just for fun classes done in just 4 semesters…but it does kind of make sense knowing that you guys need to go up to 60 units, rather than 90 on the quarter system.
I’m legitimately scared of the semester system D:</p>
<p>I’m a CC student transferring in 2 years and I’m doing it by taking 5 classes every semester as well as Summer classes without a doubt. ( One semester left ) Oh and this was also sans any remedial courses. To the OP, have you ever considered petitioning to override a perquisite? I was set to take Algebra 2 but took a short Summer non-credit class that allowed to me retake my placement test. I ended up getting in A in Statistics so it was definitely worth it. </p>
<p>As for the OP: I personally think your planned semester of classes is indeed doable with good grades. From my own experience, which is 5 classes a semester with work and EC’s and maintaining a 4.0, this does seem doable. Sometimes I had so stay up until 2 AM doing stats HW and then wake up at 4AM to finish a 10 page essay, but I am a very determined person. A lot of time it isn’t even really about being bright, it’s about just putting in the time and effort to work. However, it’s up to you to establish those time management skills. It takes discipline but working on your time management (planning your study time, etc) is a smarter move than talking about how you’re not good at it and will get you much more progress. You know yourself better than we do, so you really should be the one answering your main question!</p>
<p>Good luck! Just believe that you can do it. :)</p>
<p>Those are all easy classes and you should have no problem getting at least a 3.7. But with that said it’s possible to get overwhelmed no matter what the difficulty of the course load is if you don’t manage your time properly. I had an easy course load this semester but messed up in one of my bio classes because I crammed and didn’t understand how to study for the course even though bio is my strong point. Next semester I’m making it a point to go to the library every day and reviewing all the notes I got that day.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that this schedule is 17 units. Not too shabby considering my school caps us off at 18, but unfortunately my math class isn’t UC transferrable… so only 14 will count.</p>
<p>
At first, the thought of being on the faster paced quarter system freaked me out a little bit, but after experiencing a full 17-week semester, I found that I burn out quicker. Even though things are more rushed in quarters, I feel like I’d get more accomplished that way. I imagine your transition to a UC won’t be a problem at all. :)</p>
<p>
I don’t think that’s possible at my school. If anything, I could probably just retake the placement test to qualify for a higher level course. For math, it’s actually good that I took the remedial level since it’s my weakest subject and it’s something I definitely need to brush up on, and I learned a lot of what I had forgotten/sucked at. I also haven’t taken chemistry since my sophomore year in high school, so taking the prep course prior to the Gen Chem series will help me build a strong foundation.</p>
<p>
You’re totally right. I had a discussion with my friend yesterday who said that I’m probably biting off more than I could chew, but like I said earlier, this could be tackled with careful planning and time management - something I lacked this past semester. I also think my two online classes will help somewhat.</p>
Unfortunately for me, I’m hoping to go into UCSD as a Human Biology major, which is impacted, meaning I will REALLY have to stay on top of my game for as close to a 4.0 as possible to be a good candidate. Additionally, I’ll be taking one chemistry and one biology course next fall (each lecture with their own lab components), so 5 classes then wouldn’t be a wise decision. I also would love to catch up to my original game plan, but now I won’t even be able to start the Calculus series because of my screw-up. If anything, I could do it over the summer directly before my transfer, but that wouldn’t make any difference in my UC admission.</p>
) Oh and this was also sans any remedial courses. To the OP, have you ever considered petitioning to override a perquisite? I was set to take Algebra 2 but took a short Summer non-credit class that allowed to me retake my placement test. I ended up getting in A in Statistics so it was definitely worth it. </p>