Quick Questions Thread - Page 3

shoebox10 · 07-26-2007, 10:32 AM

For Physics I (kinetics) I recommend anyone BUT Slawny. Highly recommend Chang. For Physics II (electromagnetism) I'm not sure. That's a third semester physics class, which I'll be taking at UVA.

For chem 1705, I highly recommend Dillard. He was fun to watch and listen to, and I actually enjoyed his class, even though I hate chem with a passion. He was VERY easy to reach outside of class, and was generally a helpful man who cared about his students doing well (as he put it on the first day, he knew most of us were engineers struggling to get this pre-req done and never wanted to touch chem again, so he wanted to make the class do-able for us, and told the chemE/chem majors to learn the material but everything they'd need to know is in 1706). For calc II/III I recommend Powers.

On some of the earlier questions:
-19 credits is too much, any semester. 14-15 is a good number for first semester, although I was bored with 14 (due to APs). I took 17 second and wouldn't recommend any more than that. Take summer classes at a CC if you get behind.
-Fans: a MUST! VT is hot as the sun until October, then it gets freezing cold, but then the heat gets turned on and the fans are back on. Even during the winter we'd open the window a crack and turn on a fan just to keep the air from becoming stifling. Most colleges are like this just because of the central heating system.
-Lofts: some buildings come with lofts, and those are a bit tougher to move around. But, I managed to move them around by myself, and i'm a girl haha. Plus, RAs/maintenance can easily help.
-Supplies: don't overflow your room with supplies, just yet. Yes, your D/S might have used it at home occasionally, but they might drop it all together at school. I brought wayy to much stuff last year, and so I plan on taking the bare necessities and a bit more, then waiting and seeing.
-Organization: get some of those clear plastic drawer sets on wheels, and maybe a small one for the desk. They'll save your life.

chuy · 07-26-2007, 10:35 AM

"-19 credits is too much, any semester. 14-15 is a good number for first semester, although I was bored with 14 (due to APs). I took 17 second and wouldn't recommend any more than that. Take summer classes at a CC if you get behind."
I've got to disagree here. If you look you'll see that one of those classes is the easy Art class, two are the easy computer math classes, and one is the Galileo seminar. I think that with those classes 19 is very doable.

Agree on everything else though.

Zimmer07 · 07-26-2007, 10:41 AM

Showbox, is 19 cred too much even with the math classes being easy (exact classes in previous post)? I think his only "real" classes would be the engl, engineering, and the ent classes. But it did seem awfully time-consuming to me considering that it is freshman year and he should be, you know, being a kid and doing stuff.....you guys know what i mean! I'm not going to tell s what to do, but it did seem a bit much to me.

septembermom · 07-26-2007, 10:42 AM

Okay guys,
I guess I'm not done shopping yet! Forgot the thermometer Zimmer, but think I have extra here at home. I'll save a whopping 2.99. Did not get any storage unit such things yet as son does not know either dorm or roommate and do not know if they will decide to loft (although this seems the route to go) or if room already has bunks. (Room at AJ son stayed in had bunks, but he doesn't know if they were real bunks or if AJ had beds lofted). Still have brochure about hutch unit. Think we can still order that for delivery when we move him in. Will check into that.
Don't remember any of my son's prof. names, but I'll check into that and maybe you have some info. regarding them. He has Communications, US History, Astronomy, and Calc.

Zimmer07 · 07-26-2007, 10:42 AM

We cross-posted, Chuy. That's what I was initially thinking.....but still time-consuming.

shoebox10 · 07-26-2007, 10:44 AM

True, but with every class comes some outside work. I think you know as much as I do that engineering takes a LOT of outside study time. Why bog yourself down with an easy art class? I know people say "GPA booster!" but I think instead of wasting 3-4 hours a week on that class, use that time to either study for a more important class or use it to catch up on sleep/have a life. Or, drop the Galileo seminar because that will probably have a lot of fact-based tests which can be a bit more time consuming than practice-based tests (ie calculus problems)

Franky, 19 credit hours is do-able. But doing is first semester is a set-up for failure, either academically or personally (ie, no social life, no sleep ever, etc). I think it's best to take 14-16 first semester and get adjusted to college, not take the max load. Then take 19 if you think you can handle it, but just work your way up to it.

Zimmer07 · 07-26-2007, 10:44 AM

Septmom, I saw some bed hutches at BBB for about $60. Kind of like those hutches that go behind/above a toilet, these go above the bed and give you two shelves and a little swing out shelf by the bed for glasses/cup/etc. Seemed like a good idea if you don't loft.

And check out your teachers at ratevtteachers.com

Zimmer07 · 07-26-2007, 10:46 AM

He can't drop the Galileo seminar since that is part of his theme housing.

septembermom · 07-26-2007, 10:51 AM

Thanks Zimmer. Will check that out online. B,B,Beyond does allow you to pick up ordered stuff in Roanoke (the closest store to VT), but I didn't know what our time frame for move in would be and that would be just 45 minutes more of sitting in car.
What dorm will your son be in? I am assuming he is in the themed housing for Engineering or Honors? It is funny but even though we went on two VT tours that included dorm visits, I can't remember what any of them look like inside. The Virtual tours don't even jog my memory. I guess I saw so many it is a blur.

chuy · 07-26-2007, 10:54 AM

The art class isn't a GPA booster, it's a one credit class that doesn't factor into your GPA. It's just used to knock off the required art credit. You observe art and then take tests on it. It's pass/fail.

shoebox10 · 07-26-2007, 11:10 AM

Ahh, that class. Yeah, that's an easy one. I don't know, I just wouldn't recommend AT ALL 19 credits first semester. 17 is even pushing it. But that's just me, I guess anyone could try 19 credits and either sink or float their own boat. Bad way to start college if they sink, though...

tia3 · 07-28-2007, 10:15 AM

Is anyone here familiar with the Freshman Seminar course required for the WING program? We were told it has a nice amount of paper writing prep. in it. Is that true? Also, anyone with experience in the Honors English? Could you describe and how does it compare to regular Freshman English. Daughter was offered option to either take H. Eng. or skip first semester of Freshman English and start with second. Any thoughts on that?

And a computer question. If we bought a Sony, which I know is serviced at VT store, are we still eligible for the VT software security pack and can we order that before she arrives at the school?

And one more - how cold does it get before Thanksgiving in Blacksburg?

Thanks!

chuy · 07-28-2007, 02:25 PM

Can't answer the first question. My roommate did honors english and it seemed to be a little more work, but he got to skip a class, so it's probably worth it.

Software security pack? If you're talking about the VTNet CD they give you yes, it'll work. I don't see why getting a Sony would have any bearing on whether or not the software works or you can get it.

The weather in Blacksburg is insanely variable. It could stay above 60 or it could snow. I'd bring some cold weather clothes if I were your daughter.

tia3 · 07-29-2007, 02:36 PM

Thanks chuy. I appreciate each answer to all my random questions! Here's another. Have you noticed if students in two-person dorm rooms tend to have room for trunks? Is that a typical item to see, even though it wouldn't fit in a closet? She will be in Slusher.

And another computer question - we found out that she cannot be mailed the computer software pack from VT, but will have to get it once she arrives. Are there people available to help set it up or will it be insanely too crowded at that time. Suggestions? Thanks again!

And Hi Septembermom! Where did you say you found that list? We are not packed at all. Good grief. Daughter seems most focussed on making sure she sees every friend in every hour of her free time. I cleared box again and sent a private message. BTW is son bringing a trunk?

chuy · 07-29-2007, 02:50 PM

"Have you noticed if students in two-person dorm rooms tend to have room for trunks? Is that a typical item to see, even though it wouldn't fit in a closet? She will be in Slusher."

No problem.

If you're talking about a flat top trunk and don't want to get into it very often you can use one as a TV stand and then you'll have room. Otherwise you'll probably have a bit of a hard time fitting it in... anything's possible though. It really depends on how you lay out the room. How big of a trunk are you talking about?

"And another computer question - we found out that she cannot be mailed the computer software pack from VT, but will have to get it once she arrives. Are there people available to help set it up or will it be insanely too crowded at that time. Suggestions? Thanks again!"

For the first week or so the Torgeson Bridge (connected to the library and Torgeson Hall) is full of VTConnect (or something like that) people to help you set up your software. That's also where you pick it up. They will be a little crowded, but I only had to wait about 15 minutes to get someone to help me.