<p>so i didn't get the chance to go to any advising session or anything. and if anyone would like to take the time to maybe explain what i missed or what freshman year will be like academically speaking, that would be great. i know we'll have to carry out the requirements of the seas core but is their some kind of standard formula for freshman year? or is it somewhat malleable?</p>
<p>i saw that we have to take university writing and the gateway lab but do we have any kind of choices as to what are other 4 courses will be? seas freshman usually take 5 courses per semester, yeah? does PE count as one of these courses or does it have to be piled on on top of the 5 you're supposed to take?</p>
<p>i know CULPA is a great resource for checking out specific classes, but i was just curious if anybody had any general advice. i hear competition is pretty stiff, which i guess is to be expected of any good engineering school. any tips as to how to stay afloat, swim instead of sink?</p>
<p>also if you have any cheaper-by-the-dozen-type tips on being efficient and also having some kind of a decent social life while also getting sleep. you know... pie charts, graphs, significant digits, the whole 9.000 yds</p>
Yeah, SEAS is 5 classes minimum. I guess we’ll have to suck it up. </p>
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There kinda is a “standard formula.” From what I understand, for the first and (generally) second semesters, you’re locked into physics, calculus, and either UW or Gateway (these are opposite each other for first years; you’ll take UW first if your last name ends before K or so). I’m pretty sure you’re locked into chemistry as well. (this should generally be the case, but i looked up the course data for the 2nd-tier chem course (gen. intensive, not intensive organic nor gen. chem) and it seems that they don’t offer it until second semester for 2009-2010, although i may be wrong) So that’s 4/5 courses you’re locked into. The other one is your choosing, I think. Probably computer science if you’re required to do it or maybe the intro course to your intended major. </p>
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People generally don’t count PE as a course, I don’t believe. I’d make a terrible joke here about how SEAS students (sadly, including myself) would find an hour of cardio much harder than an hour of calculus, but I won’t. Plus, upperclassmen who chose classes in the spring for the Fall 2009 semester probably got the spots in all the good PE classes anyways. You can fulfill the requirement anytime in your four years, so there’s no rush to take PE in your first year. I remember reading a post on CC that said its better to knock it out your first year when your courseload is relatively light compared to your junior/senior years when you may be more prone to skip PE classes for the sake of studying or working. </p>
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Again, I would have taken this opportunity to make a bad joke about how the only pie chart applicable would have been a circle filled 100% with workload, but I’ll reserve myself once more this time.</p>
<p>Unless someone can find me something that says differently, I’m going to assert that there is no difference between freshman and other course requirements and that it is 12 credits per semester to be considered a full-time student.</p>
<p>Its been my impression this whole time that SEAS students have to take 5 classes minimum. I remember people complaining how we have to take one more class than CC students during Days on Campus. I worried a bit when I couldn’t find a source for this info, but its in the Academic Planning Guide they mailed us this summer:</p>
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<p>Although now that I think about it, I don’t think you’re entirely incorrect. I think for all undergraduates, full-time is defined by 12 credits. Its just that SEAS students have the extra requirement of taking five classes as well.</p>
<p>I think its more the fact that if you divide the minimum 128 points to receive the degree by the number of semesters we have to finish it comes to 16 credits per semester. Unless you took say, 21 credits in one semester (from what I hear that would be excruciating), you would never have the flexibility to take so few as 12 credits in any given semester. Maybe you would still be considered a “full-time student” taking just 12 credits but if you want to actually earn the degree you’d have some difficulty. Although maybe if you did some summer sessions here and there it might be possible, but then you would run into problems with course offerings. Does Columbia even offer classes over the summer?</p>
<p>Minimum is 12 credits BUT if you take just the minimum, you WILL FALL BEHIND. Take 5 classes your 1st semester, no more, no less. 2nd semester, gauge your comfort level. I took 6 without issue. 7+ courses is extraordinary though, so don’t plan on that.</p>
<p>Hold off on PE until your Sr/Jr. year. CU offers some really cool PE courses that are filled up by the time freshman registration rolls around.</p>
<p>You’ll have your NSOP advising meeting (DON’T SKIP IT) where your adviser can lay out your schedule for you and go over requirements.</p>
<p>As for study tips… it all depends. I started using a modified “Getting Things Done” (Don’t read the book, really. That’s a bit excessive) system – basically keeping daily/weekly/monthly task lists. Google Calendar helps. I have a calendar that marks when things are due, one that marks when I’ll do something (i.e. problemset due date 9/5 is on calendar 1, I plan on doing the pset on 9/3 so problemset is marked on calendar 2). I like micromanagement though… so you really don’t need to follow my system… or any system to be successful. If you find yourself overwhelmed, try something new… or drop an obligation or two. Realistically, people will have time for class, 2 clubs…maybe 3 and a social life. If you manage your time well, you can get plenty of sleep. I slept no fewer than 9 hours/24 hour cycle during school. </p>
<p>Don’t freak out about competition, either… I never felt it in my first year. People arent constantly comparing grades or trying to get a leg up.</p>