<p>I have posted about this before but I think it’s worth repeating if it can help someone. My D (now a Vandy junior), had a terrible first semester at Vandy because she was not adequately prepared for the courses she took and we did not realize how rigorous they would be. Rather than Math 150 (Calculus) she should have taken Math 140 (Survey of Calculus). Rather than Bio Sci 110 (the more rigorous Biology) she should have taken Biology 105 (Human Biology). She failed both the Calculus and Biology courses (even with tutors) and has had to dig out from under that terrible gpa. </p>
<p>More importantly, the stress of that first semester really affected her physically and emotionally. When her younger sister started college this year (at a different, but very selective, school) we encouraged her to start out with an easy schedule. What a difference that made. She had a great first semester and came home at Christmas happy, confident and excited to go back for a more challenging spring semester.</p>