<p>I’m going to UIUC (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) for computer engineering. I hear it’s a killer, like all engineering majors. Like, how many hours you have to study and whatnot.</p>
<p>Basically, I’m trying to opt out of my intro courses through 10 APs this year (and 2 from last year). Especially Physics C, Calc BC, Computer Science, and Chem. The rest are just to take some of my LAR requirements away.</p>
<p>I also WANT to try sororities and greek life. I know that’s a huge time commitment as well. Also interested in clubs and intermurals. Social life is somewhat of a hopeful thing I want to still have.</p>
<p>Honors, probably will not end up doing this year but will try sophmore year.</p>
<p>Am I crazy? Can I handle this? If not, what would you recommend doing instead? (dropping some) I need some practical plans unlike my idealistic “I want to do everything!” attitude.</p>
<p>I was happy until I read your post!
Why?
Because UIUC rejected me and it was my first choice. You just had to remind me, didn’t ya?
UIUC sucks!! Yeah that’s right, I’m better off without it.
Sour grapes?.. YES. lol.
I’m still gonna apply for a transfer there, they haven’t seen the last of me. <em>evil smirk</em></p>
<p>Anyhow, I just advise you to get used to your studies first (since it should be your first priority) and then start with the other things you need to do slowly (because the first few months of college is a b!tch, but once you get used to it, it’s all good) - Of course I’m still not in college, but I’m saying what others have told me.</p>
<p>In other words: Yes, you will kill yourself. j/k.</p>
<p>On the contrary, I would say take these courses at UIUC.</p>
<p>Why? Basically, it is nothing similar to AP courses. Let me also point out something, you wouldn’t fancy starting Technical courses at UIUC during your freshman year would you?</p>
<p>Now if you consider what you proposed above:
advantages: you pay less… start with the REAL courses straight away…
disadvantages: you won’t be familiar with the style… in fact, you’ll be working under great tension to make a deadline, for example. </p>
<p>xD Sorry TTT, be happy! UIUC does have the weirdest ways to pick people, honestly. But I’ll see you there, don’t worry.</p>
<p>Unforuntately, my family is very very poor, I’m trying to cut down on my college time as much as possible so it’s not too much of a burden for them. I think money speaks louder than what I believe my own abilities to be.</p>
<p>Don’t try to do too much your freshman year, as you may find yourself with a great big vitality deficiency on your hands. Remember that you need time to get used to college first. Maybe leave the technical courses for second semester instead of being smacked in the face by them the first day of school.</p>
<p>10 AP’s? that’s too many for one high school year. I would recommend taking your general ed classes as your local community college. You can also take classes at community college during the summers in order to graduate faster.</p>
<p>Actually, it’s not too bad right now (I… hope). Unless it’s planning to get really hard next semester, it doesn’t seem too bad. I was thinking about attending our local community college this summer to take like a math class or something. I don’t think they offer that much over the summer though</p>
<p>10 APs= 10 college classes. Most people take that many college classes in a year, assuming 5 classes a semester. If you don’t mind working hard, I say go for it. Just consider the fact that your plans for your future are likely to change when you’re in college…so you may not want to rush toward grad school just yet. This isn’t a reason not to take as many APs as possible–it’ll give you, if nothing else, the freedom to take electives or switch your major if you want to.</p>
<p>hey, Meng I also got accepted to the University of Illinois engineering, and I fear I will not be able to keep up with huge amount of workload while handling other activities at the same time…I guess people get used to the workload after some time.</p>
<p>I just completed my first semester at the U of I as a computer engineering major this past fall of 2004. I would advise you to put your BC Calc, Chemistry, and Computer Science AP credits and get those entry level classes out of the way. </p>
<p>BC Calc will let you into the Math 242 class, multivariable calculus - which honestly, i didnt use much of BC calc at all besides basic integration/differentiation for. But don’t get me wrong, this class was a lot harder than BC.</p>
<p>The chemistry and computer science AP credits will just give you a lotta credit hours (i think chem gives you 6 =) ) so you can get ahead on other classes.</p>
<p>As for the AP physics C, it might just be a good idea to take the physics class here. There is a sequence of 4 physics classes that all ECE majors have to finish, Physics 211-212-213-214 from mechanics all the way to quantum physics. I personally took physics 211 (mechanics), this semester, and it was a very good class. Very good as in, it made me realize that i didn’t learn s*** in the honors physics class i took in high school. I had to struggle my ass off to get an A in this class, but the knowledge gained was certainly worth it, as the difficulty of the class really forced you to know what you’re doing. If you wanna get a better idea of the material covered, you can check out some of the physics practice exams on the physics 211 website at UIUC.</p>
<p>U will most likely be taking ECE 110 your first year, the introductory ECE class. This class was ok, and definitely did not take 8-12 hours of studying (more like 2-3 hours a week unless there’s an exam). The only downside to this class was the 3 hour labs every week that sometimes dragged on. However, you get to build a car during lab which is decently fun.</p>
<p>Overall, first-semester experience as an ECE student was not too bad, don’t think you’ll be TOO bogged down with studying as long as you enjoy science/math and manage your time wisely. I didn’t pull off a single all nighter all semester, actually i slept by at least 12 am almost every day. Classes were hard, but not in the sense that you had to dedicate a lot of time to them, it was just a “either you get it or you don’t” sorta thing. So if you’re smart i’d say you don’t have to worry bout’ nothing. And you seem like that kind of student. (geez 10 APS in one year? crazy.)</p>
<p>That was incredibly informative, thank you Cwman. I feel reassured! Finally. Hehe. </p>
<p>Don’t worry, 10 APs might sound terrible, but the only thing I’m worried about is self-studying Chem and Computer Science right now. Physics C is just a continuation from what I learned last year in Physics B and Psychology… The rest are classes I have to take in school so it’s a gradual progression.</p>
<p>I will check out those exams to see what I’m getting myself into. OR missing, in this case. enjoy your break and good luck with semester #2.</p>
We’ll have fun, definately. Haha.</p>
The rest are classes I have to take in school so it’s a gradual progression.</p>
enjoy your break and good luck with semester