<p>I would strongly recommend against taking 5 classes first semester freshman year. Adjusting to college life is tough, and a somewhat lighter courseload will make the transition easier for you. I’m very glad I only took four classes my first semester, and balanced out levels of difficulty. We all took a zillion tough classes at once in high school, but Yale is in an entirely different league – better to err on the side of underestimating what you can do first semester.</p>
<p>Intro to Micro is an awful class, though Stephen Berry (who often teaches it in the fall) is less terrible than the rest of them. But take it if you must, haha. Also, 129 doesn’t have to be two semesters long – you can just take one, if you want to. Make sure you check prerequisites for Screenwriting, since that’s a class that might mandate that you have taken Intro to Film Studies, or something.</p>
<p>Actually, though, I recommend waiting until the Blue Book for 09-10 comes out to start choosing your classes. Classes at Yale vary a LOT from semester to semester, especially in terms of when they’re offered. So there’s def. a chance that, for example, THST110 could conflict with PLSC178. Wait until the end of July/beginning of August, when the classes for next year are published online, and then start looking for your schedule. If you spend too much time thinking about it now, it could just be wasted effort! Also, many organizations hold “Blue-Booking parties” for freshmen at the beginning of the year, where upperclassmen can give you advice on your courses. Don’t get too set on one schedule too early – if I were you, I’d build up a shopping list of a dozen or so classes, ask upperclassmen for advice to narrow it down, and then shop the rest until you settle on 4. But get excited – Yale is awesome!</p>