<p>Since everyone's going to orientation around this time, what classes are you guys taking in your freshman year? For upperclass people, what classes did you take in your freshman year? I've heard that GE classes should be spread out over at least 2 or 3 years to make the 3rd and 4th years a little easier. How's that work? I mean most people dont know their majors until end of freshman year, right? </p>
<p>Also at UMich, is it bad to just take 12 credits plus 2 UROP credits?</p>
<p>I am a big believe in taking fewer than 15 credits one's first semester. Adapting to the new, quicker pace of a university and to the new locale is daunting enough, taking more than 15 credits, especially with UROP, would be too much if you ask me. 12-14 credits is adviseable.</p>
<p>But at the same time, if you feel your high school prepared you well and you maybe did some dual enrollment, don't be afraid to take more.</p>
<p>I had the advantages of living 8 miles away from Ann Arbor my whole life and dual enrolling here my senior year (ie, no problems with change in locale), but I did 18 credits 1st semester, 17 2nd semester without too much problem. Granted, I had to work a lot more than other people, but that's just the kind of person I am. I also didn't have UROP, which in some cases can take up a lot of time/effort. So three full clases + UROP + maybe a 1 credit seminar sounds about right.</p>
<p>Basically, the distribution requirements make you do classes in lots of different types of fields, but not necessarily hard ones. So in your junior/senior year when you're doing two or three 400 level classes for your concentration, you can have your other class be an easy 100 level astronomy class for natural science distribution.</p>
<p>I, unlike Alexandre, am a big believer in taking as many credits as you think you can handle one's first semester. I took 18 both semesters my freshman year and would have really regretted taking less. I'm not saying everyone should take 18, but I'm saying that if you're pretty sure you can handle a heavier load, then go for it, and don't listen to all those people who tell you that you're going to crash and burn if you do that. You know yourself better than they do, so be true to yourself and take what you think you can handle because you know best.</p>
<p>I gotta agreee. If I don't challenge myself to the utmost I get lazy and just end up procrastinating til 2 in the morning anyways. The only way for me to keep myself motivated is to take on as much as possible.</p>
<p>Guys, they give that advice because the fact is that a large number of UM students aren't as smart and driven as chibear and some of the other folk on CC. Dilksy, the fact is a large majority of UM students, despite thier high qualifications high school wise, are not in any way accustomed to college level work. And also, do remember that chibears is the kid who gets 5 on the AP micro exam w/o taking the course on one nights worth of study; I'd be willing to say that 99.5% of UM 1st year students can't do that. </p>
<p>For the more human of us, they recommend taking 12-14 credits so as to ensure a positive and confidence building 1st semester on campus. If you feel you can take more, go for it (I had 16 first semester and 18 last semester WHILE running for MSA). But, I'd say err on the cautious side; plus its not like you are trying to graduate in 3 semesters, so there isn't a HUGE hurry. If you do take 15+, be smart about what you are taking...we tell RC students that Econ 101, Calc, and Intensive Language is a one way ticket to an academic kick in the ass. At least make some of those credits a little less challenging so you don't find yourself over your head. Also, remember that you can drop a course 1st semester w/o getting a W on your transcript, so DO NOT be afraid t avail yourself of that option.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>I agree with KB. I wouldn't go as far as to say that Chibears is among the top 1% at Michigan, but he represents to the 10%-15% of the Michigan student body. You know, those students who graduate in the top 1% of their class with 4.0 unweighed GPAs and 1500+ on their SAT. I firmly believe in challenging oneself at university. But one has 8 semesters to complete that challenge. I think it is better to take a reasonable load the first semester, gauge one's abilities vs the university's expectations and once that is established, lay out a realistic plan for the next 7 semesters. I average 6 classes a semester my Sophomore and Junior years, including a heavy doseage of Physics and advanced level Economics classes. But I took it easy my first year and it served me well.</p>
<p>Eh, those numbers are misleading. I only had 1370 SAT, 3.65 unweighted GPA, maybe top 30% in class.</p>
<p>I think on CC, we've kind of established that we get a significantly higher proportion of the smart/academically oriented people than in the general student body. So while I agree with your advice and it's application to most people, I also think it's important that the people who might be more capable know what further options they might have. I was planning on only doing 14 credits initially my freshmen year before my Honors advisor said I'd have no problem adding on another 4 credit class towards distribution.</p>
<p>I took 17 credits both semesters and while it was a lot of work, I had no problem and did well in my classes. If I did take less, it would mean I'd probably just procrastinate more and stay up doing work at 2am anyway.</p>
<p>Okay, after having read all the advice above, I think I will take 15 credits. I have to take Calc I because of Ross and most people say that's pretty difficult at Michigan. Also, with Freshman English Composition and Spanish, I think I will take a 3 hour first year seminar to get some distribution requirements out of the way.</p>