<p>So it makes sense to take the writing class in the fall and learn how to write before taking many courses. I have the first windown (YES!), so I think Ill have my pick of the crop... but there is a seminar class I really like, and no writing courses that tickle my fancy. Is it bad to take your seminar first, then the writing class, if you have the choice?</p>
<p>Also... in terms of enrollment windows, since I have the first one this time, in the spring, do I have the last window?</p>
<p>To be honest, while I felt like my writing improved without a question over the course of my semester in Writing 20, I really didn't feel as if it...revolutionized my writing or anything like that. It was basically just a lot of paper-writing, and reading of some papers on how to write...but I mean, I didn't really find myself going back to that when writing papers 2nd semester. Then again, writing has always sort of been my strength...so I don't know how reliable my personal experience is...but I really, really don't think that people who take Writing 20 during Spring are at a disadvantage. In fact, I sort of wished I had because I thought the Spring Writing 20s looked much more interesting than the one I took.</p>
<p>The registration windows go 3-2-1-3-2-1 for your first six semesters at Duke. So essentially yes, you will have 3rd window in the Spring...and then 2nd for fall of Sophomore year, etc. So for this reason, I actually might suggest taking a Writing 20 now if you can find one that looks at all interesting only because if you have to sign up for a Writing 20 next semester as the last registration window, you might get stuck with "Writing the Academy Inside Out" (the one that I only heard complaints about from everyone I know who took it).</p>
<p>I'd definitely go for a writing 20 if you can. They're pretty tough to get into first semester, but like you said, if you have first window you pretty much have your pick (although I didn't succeed in getting my first choice). Second semester it's a bit easier to get into seminars, as FOCUS people are done with their freshman requirements and half the class has already taken them...I had 3rd window but still managed to get my first choice and even have a pick of others. Writing 20s, however, seemed to fill just as quick as the did for the fall.</p>
<p>It's really up to you though...if you think your first semester can't handle a ton of writing, then hold off. It's just a matter of preference.</p>
<p>Yea, definitely writing 20. By Spring everyone realizes how both writing and your seminar aren't very important classes. All my friends who had writing in the spring just complained all the time about having to write "frivolous papers" when they had alot of work in other classes.</p>
<p>so what does your registration window do after the first 6 semesters?</p>
<p>Well, by that time you're a senior, and all seniors just register together during 1 big window. Sort of makes me wonder why they don't just do that for all of the classes...but eh, that's the way it goes I guess.</p>
<p>If they let all of the freshmen register at the same time, at least in the case of our class, the intro science classes would have been ransacked, so to speak. By the time we're seniors, everyone's going for more specialized classes that have to do with their majors and concentrations, so it's not as much of a strain on the system. </p>
<p>At least, that's the logic I figure could be behind it.</p>
<p>I took a literature seminar in the first semester, but it was considered "writing-intensive" with a 10-page final paper. Although I had always done well with writing, I found my seminar very helpful in making my writing more direct and concise.</p>
<p>I actually think I learned more from the seminar than from writing 20, so I wouldn't stay away from a seminar in the first semester if you're really interested in the topic. Many of the topics will change for the spring semester, so you might wind up with a worse seminar if you wait.</p>