ekmiss

I just needed to know if my schedule looks alright for the fall semester. I have a total of 15 credits (is that a bit too much for a freshman) and I plan on majoring in cognitive science, neuroscience, or psychology and I'm premed.

(4) General Biology 1- MWF 12-12:50
(1) General Biology Lab 1- Th 12-12:50
(4) Calculus 1- MWF 10-10:50
(3) Introduction to Cognitive Psychology- MW 1:30-2:50
(3) Fresh Sem: Race and Education in the U.S.- Th 3-5:20

I'm thinking my classes are scheduled weird, time-wise, and I plan to work too. What do you think?

yeahallie

At least you have Tuesdays free. [:

ekmiss

Actually i won't have tuesdays free because I have a bio workshop on that day which is mandatory for the course.

alonzojhu

looks like a normal freshman schedule to me

skp

Your schedule looks fine to me.

I hate to hijack a thread, but here's what my schedule looks like. I'm thinking of a biology major and am premed also. I've got the required AP Bio credits (should I still take Gen Bio?).

1.) Introductory Chemistry I - MWF - 10-10:50 - 3
2.) Intro to Psychology - MWF - 11-11:50 - 3
3.) Fresh Sem: From Genes to DNA and Back - M - 1:30-2:50 - 1.5
4.) Spanish Elements I - MWF - 9-9:50 - 4
5.) Biology Workshop I - T - 12-12:50 - 1
6.) Expository Writing - MW - 12-1:15 - 3
7.) Intro Chemistry Lab I - Th - 9-9:50 - 1

That's 16.5 credits in all. Is this too much?

JIMMY@KILLARNEY

16.5 or 15 isn't much. not at all in hopkins' standards. However, this is to skp, is it really required that you take so many labs and workshops? According to what I saw last year with my friends' and room mate's experience, the labs are very very time consuming (especially chem labs) and often very hard to achieve top grades even though they are only 1 credit each. So, be prepared for the intense course loads if you have to take them.

Also, it's a good idea to take more higher level courses or major requirements in your first semester, because you could take advantage of covered grades and not get penalized if you don't do quite as well (though covered grade does require that you PASS all courses, or else you will receive a big, ugly F on your transcript...).

Lastly, as for taking courses, I highly recommend taking some more courses that have a more "practical" or "real world" touch to its content. As you probably know, most college courses tend to be very theoritical in approach and are often quite disconnected from the skills that you truly need in life after you graduate in 4 years. Even in practical subjects like economics, I've come to gradually realize that what I learn in the classroom has little if any practical utility.

So my best recommendation would be using some common sense in your course selection and taking some courses that do have a degree of usefulness, such as accounting, globalization, financial literacy, elementary statistics, history of music, and even art history (which I heard would become of great use especially if you are looking for something to strike up a conversation with your future colleagues...). More importantly, I suggest spending another portion of your time in real life experiences. Join a music group. Run for student council. Practice your communication skills at the debate club. Go up to your professors boldly and ask for their support for your independent research proposal. Fully utilize the fabulous career center and find fulfilling summer internship. Or even better, start your own business or investment club in your dorm (like bill gates) and experiment with the unlimited opportunities available. The effects of taking these simple initiatives will be rewarding and life-long.

WealthOfInformation

Try to spread those sciences out as much as possible. Don't overload yourself as you have four years (!) to take any of these courses. Try to maximize your opportunity to take advantage of everything (including non-academics folks) at Hopkins. You'll want to get involved in lots of clubs and stuff too!

YanksDolphins

WealthOfInformation is correct, there is no reason to overload with that many labs/workshops. Although the credit count is not overwhelming, the fact that you have 7 courses might be. I would ditch the bio seminar.

ekmiss

Yeah, so bad news. All of my classes are basically closed for registering as of now and I have to pick all new classes. Uggh, does anyone know how to get on the waitlist for these classes?

ekmiss

Ok so I've decided to change my whole schedule, because I am not sure I could depend on hopkins waitlist system.

Here it is. It's changed from 15 to 14 credits. Since you guys are saying that that skp's schedule has too much going on, do you think I could afford to add another class since it's so small?

(3)Intro Chemistry I- MWF 9:00-9:50
(1)Intro Chemistry Lab I- Th 2:30-4:20, Th 1:30-2:20
(4)Calculus I- MWF 11:00 AM-11:50, T 1:30-2:20
(3)Introduction to Cognitive Psychology- MW 1:30-2:50
(3)Introduction to African American Studies- ThF 12:00-1:20

JIMMY@KILLARNEY

ekmiss, I think it's quite a reasonable schedule you have there. Keep in mind that the chem lab will be very time consuming. Unless you don't really care about your GPA under first semester's covered grade policy, I don't think it's necessary to have an additional course.

AdmissionsDaniel

I posted this to the Class of 2012 Facebook group, but I think it is appropriate here too:

..................................
Congratulations on registering for classes. I just wanted to share two thoughts with all of you as you move closer to your first official courses:

(1) Remember all that you have done up to this point is PRE-REGISTERED for freshman classes. Changes can be made. After you have registered your academic advisor will look over your selections and make suggestions and provide wise advice. I strongly suggest you heed their advice ... they know what they are talking about. Also, if you want to make changes, I always suggest checking with your advisor to see what they suggest. They are there to help and those students who use their advisors will be more successful.

(2) DON'T FORGET TO EXPLORE. So many freshmen come in and only take classes related to their intended major or professional track. You have four years to complete a major and pre-professional classes. Use your freshman year to have a broad schedule and explore classes you may never have taken before. This is why Hopkins has the covered-grade policy ... it is not there so you can take hard classes pass/fail, but rather so you will take courses in new areas.

My two biggest regrets in college were that I never sought advice from an academic advisor and I rarely explored courses outside of my major. If I had to do it over again, I would change so much.

Just my two cents ... but understand, I have a lot of experience.