<p>I dread, dread not being able to take a class I’m excited about because a professor will taking leave out of the blue. I’m experiencing this for the first time, and, frankly, it ****es me off.</p>
<p>I can’t take Industrial Organization next year because the professor who teaches it will be teaching at Yale as a Visiting Scholar. I can’t take Art and Architecture of Europe from 1400 to 1800 because it conflicts with International Trade, a course I want to take early so that the rush of major requirements don’t overwhelm me. I can’t take Baroque Art because it conflicts with Murder, a course I’ve been dying to take, taught by a superb professor. And, the Associate Director of the Writing Center, a professor of philosophy, will be on leave, so I won’t be able to take any of the great courses that she offers on the ancient philosophers. I’m not sure either how adversely the Writing Center will be affected by the temporary loss of such a great professor.</p>
<p>I wanted a strong grounding in art history from Amherst, but that simply won’t be possible because of scheduling conflicts and because certain courses are only offered every other year.</p>
<p>If I take Fundamental Chemical Principles, I lose out on the possibilities of taking Chinese Civilization to 1800, Law, Speech, and the Politics of Freedom, Greek Drama, and Readings in the European Tradition I.</p>
<p>But, if I forgo chem this semester, I lose my last chance to pursue a career in medicine… yet I gain the opportunity to learn so much more in areas I never imagined I could explore.</p>
<p>I could go on and on… but, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get into any course, as long as you stay on top of the game and pre-register strategically. But, damn, conflicts can be agonizing.</p>