Any advice for incoming freshmen?

TaylorAnn11 · 07-01-2009, 08:40 PM

So, I was wondering if any current Bowdoin students could offer any advice to the incoming class. I plan on pursuing a pre-med track, and I was wondering how any pre-meds should schedule courses. Who are some really great professors we should try to take classes with and professors we should avoid? What is some general advice you would offer any students; things we should be sure to do and experience in our first year. Thanks so much!

Tzar09 · 07-01-2009, 10:27 PM

Hey. You should check out RateMyProfessors.com. I've been using it to decide which classes I take next semester.

TaylorAnn11 · 07-02-2009, 08:56 PM

Hey! I have been too...but not all the prof. are on there. What classes are you thinking of taking?

Tzar09 · 07-04-2009, 11:09 PM

I have a list with the 8 classes i want to ask for somewhere, but off the top of my head..i wanna take micro econ (I hope i got AP credit for macro), some english class about nights (not sure, but it looked good at the time), a gov theory class, and then a class on islam.

what about you?

TaylorAnn11 · 07-05-2009, 12:20 PM

There are a few classes I'm really interested in, but it's proving to be difficult to make a schedule because a couple have the same time slots. But I plan on taking orgo (which will most likely be the end of me), intro to brain and behavior, the class on Islam (maybe ill see you there!), and uhh I'm not sure yet. Hopefully a history or English class. I cannot wait! Though I have noticed that the spring semester usually has a larger variety of interesting classes.

Isabelle7 · 07-05-2009, 09:02 PM

are you guys choosing classes already? Am I behind the curve here because i haven't gotten any course information yet...

TaylorAnn11 · 07-05-2009, 10:32 PM

Hey Isabelle; the course listings are online. Here's the link: https://vector.bowdoin.edu/srweb/cou.../fyCourses.asp

I'm just super impatient

Though looking at the classes just makes me want fall to come even sooner. Let us know what you think!

PlainCurious · 07-06-2009, 11:47 AM

Hey guys

I've also been looking through the courses and have to say that there are so many I'd love to take... I hate to have to choose. Do you have any idea if there are any general requirements we have to follow the first semester though?

TaylorAnn11 · 07-06-2009, 03:24 PM

I don't think so. I mean, we have distribution requirements, but those don't have to be fulfilled right away. Just take what you're interested in

If you have any idea what you want to major in, you could take a couple classes according to what requirements must be met. Or, if you don't know, take a variety of classes.

Tzar09 · 07-06-2009, 03:30 PM

I think most people take their freshman seminar first semester, but, if you want, the option to take it second semester is always open.

Isabelle7 · 07-07-2009, 11:30 AM

ahhhh i want to take every single course offered! Does anyone know when we tell Bowdoin which classes we want to take? It seems really late to be doing that in August during registration because classes begin soon after registration

morandi · 07-07-2009, 11:46 AM

i believe you register for classes during orientation week, after meeting with your advisor. not everything works out perfectly, but mostly you get what you want. it's good that you're taking the time to review all the possibilities. enjoy the orientation week!

Tzar09 · 07-07-2009, 12:30 PM

class request forms are coming in the july packet.

google "july packet bowdoin" --> click the first link --> click july packet --> click 'designing your bowdoin education' and that's the form we're going to have to send back to them once we get our july packets.

Tzar09 · 07-07-2009, 12:32 PM

i probably could have just included a link, but what'cha going to do.

youngn-011 · 07-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Don't stress too much about the class request forms. They are mostly used to help with selecting an advisor and giving you a starting point to discuss classes with your advisor when you get to campus. You will pick classes during orientation. Some people may not get all their classes or first-choice first year seminar and will have to go to Phase 2 with the entire school. Phase 2 is a sort of first come, first serve add/drop for classes after registration. Freshmen then have about weeks of an extended add/drop period to shop around.

Don't worry about all of this, it will be explained in detail when you get to campus. In fact you will be loaded with so much information during orientation that thinking about it now is futile. Do put some thought into the course selection sheet but remember it doesn't guarantee you space in a class or anything. For anyone who still want to look at classes ahead of time,(I did this last year so I understand haha) use the link below to see what classes are already full and anything else you want to find out about first semester classes. Home (Bowdoin, Office of the Registrar)

But seriously, have a great summer. You have the next 4 years to deal with college classes. Oh and TaylorAnn Brain and Behavior is awesome, I've heard.