<p>Is this too much for my first semester at UNC...I may have asked this before, but the more I look at my schedule, the more crowded it seems to be:</p>
<p>Math 231 012- BioCalculus I (I'm not 100% sure I'm taking this yet, but I have had calculus before), 3 hrs
Chem 101 with Lab- Gen Chemistry (I have lecture with Austell...I've heard he's a pretty tough professor), 4 hrs
Ital 101- Elementary Italian, 3 hrs
Engl 052- English and Computers (First Year Seminar), 3 hrs
Lfit 112- Required Lifetime Fitness class, 1 hr
SPCL 390- Modes of Inquiry...basically an introduction to research on campus
Musc 105- Trombone Lessons, 1 hr
Mus 211- Band, 1 hr</p>
<p>I have 17 hrs!!! Granted, I'm only taking 13 "academic" hours...and 4 hours in other subjects...is this too much for my first semester? Should I consider dropping something...because I was trying to go for an easy first semester, but ended up with 17 hours anyway...lol</p>
<p>Here's what I'm hoping my weekly schedule will be (I have to talk to people in the music and math departments before my schedule is finalized):
Monday:
Math 231 012/BioCalculus: 10-1050
Engl 052/English and Computers: 1-150
Ital 101/Italian: 2-250
Tuesday:
Chem 101/Gen Chem: 8-915
Lfit 112/Lifetime Fitness: 930-1020
Spcl 390/Modes of Inquiry: 1230-145
Musc 105/Trombone Lessons: TBD
Wednesday:
Math 231 012/BioCalculus: 10-1050
Engl 052/English and Computers: 1-150
Ital 101/Italian: 2-250
Thursday:
Chem 101/Gen Chem: 8-915
Lfit 112/Lifetime Fitness: 930-1020
Chem 101L/Chem Lab: 1-450
Friday:
Math 231 012/BioCalculus: 10-1050
Engl 052/English and Computers: 1-150
Ital 101/Italian: 2-250</p>
<p>Then, depending on which ensemble I place into, assuming I place into one, I will have band 2x a week (2 hour rehearsals).</p>
<p>If you're really confident then go for it, otherwise drop something. I know almost everyone advises to not overload 1st semester, as someone on here put it something along the lines of "a common mistake of high achieving high school students over flexing their high school muscles" or something like that. A friend with a 5.0+ gpa in high school told me he took 17 and regretted it.</p>
<p>Even with a normal course load you're recommended to not take two science and/or math in one semester, because it gets so tough.</p>
<p>I'd personally say to drop something small since your extra 3 hours come from things that would probably relax you. But in the end you're still getting graded on it, and that can ruin the things you most enjoy because of the pressure.</p>
<p>But then again, everyone different and I might just be talking out of my ass.</p>
<p>Doesn't look all that terrible. You should at least try it. You've got like half the semester before the drop deadline, so there's plenty of time to get rid of something if you decide it's too much.</p>
<p>I thought about 17 hours my 1st semester. After worrying about it for a week or so, I just dropped it. Personally, I'd rather see how I fare with the workload rather than stress out and realize I spent money on a book for a class I was going to drop.</p>
<p>Why not go to classes the first week and see what they are like before you make any changes? Check return policies at the bookstores. You probably can't return a new book if you break a cellophane wrap, but the bookstore on Franklin accepted returns from my D (full refund with receipts) for some used books purchased there last year, after she dropped a class. Just make sure you check deadlines and policies for the store where you purchased your books.</p>
<p>Do you think you can handle 4 academic classes? At most, you have 3 on M,W,F but you're only in class for 3 hrs/day so there's lots of study/homework time. You will probably have daily homework in calc and italian. Don't skip class or fall behind. English will probably have less assignments so you can be more flexible. </p>
<p>Your T & TH are basically just Chem and a gym? class. The fitness class can probably be postponed to a later semester but keep it IF fitness is a release for you (rather than a chore). I assume fitness is a requirement at some point. My DD's school requires 2 classes but she prefers to take one every term. Modes of Inquiry sounds like an introductory course - ask around to see what is expected. It may not be too demanding as long as you show up. </p>
<p>Your schedule seems fine and like others said, you can always drop an academic class if necessary but taking 4 is common and possibly necessary to keep on track for your major. Taking a math and science at the same time is common for science and math majors. My son took 4 science classes (including orgo) in freshman spring semester but I wouldn't recommend it (HE wouldn't listen to anyone's advice and he did fine but I noticed he has a more balanced schedule next semester).</p>
<p>I know many who have taken your schedule but perhaps elected not to get credit for the band, music lessons or physical activity. It all depends on what your academic preparedness is.</p>
<p>hmmm thanks for the advice everyone...I think I'm going to keep my schedule for now.</p>
<p>I'm premed, so I'm just trying to have all my bases covered. I have AP credit for calculus, but since I hear that most med schools don't take AP credit for their prerequisites (although not all med schools require math as a prereq), and I don't want to take multivariable calculus along with chemistry first semester, I'm trying to get into the BioCalculus class (although I have to waive my AP credit). For this reason, I'm thinking BioCalculus shouldn't be too difficult (also I looked up the class/prof on pickaprof, and the grading curve was much MUCH easier than other calc I classes, I think something like 75% of his students got A's or B's). Also, my fitness is the walking class at UNC (a fitness requirement), so this should be fairly relaxing during the part we're actually walking. Spcl 390 is an intro to research at UNC, and is pass fail only, so I'm hoping this won't be too demanding. The big "17 credit hours" on my schedule looks scary!!! hahaha</p>
<p>LuxLibertas, when is the drop deadline?</p>
<p>Also, does the book store on franklin have the same policy as the book store on campus in that the book store on franklin only buys back used books that were purchased at that store?</p>
<p>Drop deadline is usually 8 weeks into the semester. In most classes you will have at least have had some kind of grade by then, which makes it easier to decide. </p>
<p>Re: the bookstores, I don't know all the specific policies but I have sold back books to RAM Book on Franklin that I bought in the campus bookstore.</p>
<p>At least for RAM and Student Stores, they take back books bought anywhere. They don't ask where you got them. I can't say what the bookstore on Franklin closer to campus does, whatever it's called, since I never bought anything there.</p>
<p>Gen Chem sucks, but almost everyone takes it. Todd Austell is tough; do not underestimate him. Have you taken Italian before? That might help you out. I took walking- it was soooo slack. Half the time my TA was like "Go walk wherever you need to go- Bye!" Haha. I would stick with your schedule. The worst thing that will happen is that you have to drop something. I think you will figure out pretty quickly if 17 hours is too much for you to handle. : )</p>
<p>I have heard that Austell is tough...I've looked through some chemistry and Italian this summer (but I've never taken Italian before), so hopefully that'll make it a bit easier.</p>
<p>I haven't read through the responses so I hope that they didn't say what I'm about to say, but basically 13 academic hours isn't bad, although yours do look challenging - the one thing you should know though is that your non-academic hours will function mostly as your extracurrics, and you won't have as much time to explore. You're not in trouble or anything, but something to consider. I took 15 hours my first semester, 2 of those hours were music, and I felt plenty busy because I was trying out so many different things. It just depends on what you expect to be doing.</p>