Hi, I’m a freshman going into my second semester here. This semester I’m taking 13 credits: Spanish, Chemistry 130, Bio 173 (Bio lab), and a first year writing seminar. I also worked on average 11 hours a week in the dining hall and I think I managed well, though it was a bit rough around midterm times.
Next semester, I’m taking 18 credits: psych 111, chem 125/126 (chem lab), Arabic 102, stats 250, and English 298 (intro to literary studies). Because freshmen register last, my schedule basically goes from 8-4 everyday (with some breaks in between). I’ve never been good at math and I’m scared for the chem lab because I’ve heard it can be really tough.
My question is: should I quit my job? I don’t need the money or anything, but my concern is that employers will look down on me quitting. Also, I feel bad saying this when others are taking 20+ credits and working full time but never complain.
My son is also a freshman and just finished chem 130 and 125. The lab was work intensive and difficult. I think you should focus on an 18 credit course load, speaking from a mother’s point of view;)
@TomSrOfBoston I guess it’s more that I feel inadequate or lazy @wheatonmom If you don’t mind, may I ask what else he took/how many credits/if he’s working? I know these might be a bit personal so I understand if you don’t want to answer
If you follow the 2-3 hrs of studying per credit hour model, you have 54-72 hours per week committed to class and studying. If you reserve 11 hrs per day for sleeping, eating, exercising, walking to class, showering, etc… you have 91 hrs per week available which leaves you 19-37 hours per week remaining. That is all of the time you have to experience college life.
If your don’t need the spending money and still want to work, I would look for something that will enhance your college experience and make you more attractive to employers - like a UROP job, a student organization, tutoring, or even a private employer near campus. Cleaning dishes and making food will not enhance your job prospects unless you want to work in that industry.
I would drop one class and keep the job if you need the money. Is it a work study assignment? Can you keep the job but cut the hours?
18 hours is very ambitious, and cutting that to 15-16 while really focusing on your classes would be better.
However employers won’t care that you quit - BTW have you contacted career services, updated your resume, and applied for summer internships or jobs?
What are you hoping to major in?
Chemistry + stats for someone who’s not good at math is going to be a challenge.
Also how did you place into Arabic 102 after taking Spanish first semester?
@TooOld4School i was originally in UROP but because my schedule was all over the place, none of the 4 projects I interviewed for would take me. It got so late in the year that my advisor encouraged me to drop it. So basically, I can’t do UROP.
@MYOS1634 I don’t need the money, but it is work study; university gave me enough in scholarships and grants. I can’t cut down my hours because I’m working the minimum. If I cut down on classes, I’ll be behind on both my major and my med pre reqs (I know I’m a freshman, but my advisor recommended that I finish by next year). I’m shadowing my doctor this summer and doing minor, unpaid work at his office too. Resume’s updated.
You don’t need English 298 nor Arabic for premed. Drop one. For medical school, slow and steady wins the race. You have till end of junior year to complete these pre reqs - and that’s if you don’t intend on taking a glide year combining interviews and research (as many successful applicants do).
So, relax.
Do NOT take 18 credits next semester. Instead, focus in being top 10-15% in every class you take.
Work study is only good as you make the hours. It’s not an obligation but an opportunity. You don’t have to take them if you can manage without.
Configure your schedule so that our can fit in UROP. THAT’S way more important than work study hours in the dining hall.
@MYOS1634 I’m in the RC and Arabic is my language, so I have to complete it. English is my major. My registration was the last day possible and all those other times were full. I don’t have much control over my schedule at this point.
Wait, why did you take Spanish last semester if Arabic is your language? Or do you mean “native/heritage language” - in which case you could just take a test to skip the class and get the credits?
You could drop Psych 111.
In addition, it’s a class typically offered in the summer, so if you really wanted you could take it over the summer, onlin or at a Community College near your home (check classes transfer)
@MYOS1634 I did take the test and got into second semster Arabic, so I took Spanish first semester because I took it in high school but didn’t test out (placed into a higher level, just didn’t test out). I’m on the HAIL scholarship, so I can’t afford to attend over the summer, and psych doesn’t transfer anyway. I’m shadowing over the summer also. I’m not making excuses, I’ve talked with my advisor and this is what she recommended because otherwise I couldn’t finish by junior year and I can’t stay an extra year because of my financial situation.
Psych typically transfers (perhaps not 111) but you don’t have to take Psych this semester. I don’t know, 18 credits for a premed freshman sounds really, really risky.
in addition, there’s the matter of your schedule that forces you to quit UROP - for premed you have choices: HIST 234, SOC 100 are appropriate too - if there’s any space or a waitlist, see if filling one of these in your schedule would allow UROP.
I would look for a better work study job now that you have a full semester of experience. Not that I am a food service snob, but the thing about work study is that there are some nice jobs available. Maybe working in a library on evenings or weekends would be useful because then you could study right before or after.
You said something that has me very concerned about your future in pre-med.
You said “I’ve never been good at math” and “I’m scared for the chem lab”…and you’re talking about general chemistry.
First thing you need to do, is attempt to pass Calculus One. (if you don’t already have AP credit)
Once you have Calc One slayed, try Organic Chemistry one. If general chemistry scares you AT ALL…I fear for you a little when you attempt Orgo the first time.
If you can tackle Calc and Orgo Chem…THEN consider pre-med. Until you do, stay open to other possibilities.
Which pre-med option are you hoping to pursue?
Also…No, your future employers will not care that you quit your part time job to concentrate on your school work as an undergrad.
I agree you should at least look for a ‘paid to study’ work study job, such as library desk. Inquire now for next semester, and hurry as those go fast.
@MaryGJ I’m not scared of the material, but I’ve heard GSIs will often be incredibly picky about certain things (like wording, even if 100% correct) and will chop off points. When I say I’ve never been good at math, I mean it has never come naturally to me: I need to study twice as hard as many other people for the same grade. I’m willing to do it, but I’m scared that having a job that doesn’t allow me time to study limits that time.
Find a library desk/entrance desk job (like, checking ID’s…)
You’ll be ok with stats, it’s easier than calc.
However, you must do everything - including dropping a class or your job or both - to be in the top 10-15% of your class and end your first year with a 3.7+ as much as possible.
(This is because your GPA should be frontloaded with as many A’s as possible in order to take the shock that will be orgo.)
There is no shame in asking your employer for reduced work hours because academics are your priority. If your employer cannot respect that, then just quit and find a new job. If you were to apply to grad/professional school, your academics always comes first.
The only time an employer may look down on you for quitting a previous job is when you start working full time after graduation and do not last long with employers for those jobs. When you are just a student working these part time jobs, nobody really cares.
