• first year,  physics

    fun times with physics

    August 13, 2013

    Hi, I’m about to become a first-year life sciences student. I’m a little interested in physics, and particularly interested in certain options it opens in life sciences (Biochem, Molecular Genetics, Immunology).

    However, it’s hard not to be mildly concerned that last year, only 47% and 39% of students of PHY131 and PHY132 respectively would retake the course if given the chance. (By contrast, 86% and 77% PHY151 and PHY152 of 2011 would retake those courses).

    So, should I take the presumably easier introductory courses? Or the foundational courses which apparently were far more engaging, on the theory that it’s easier to work hard if the course hasn’t made you hate the subject?

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    I say just take the basic introductory ones.

    Useful as the anti calendar may be, there’s nothing like… well, the actual calendar. Basically consider what the calendar already tells you about PHY151H and PHY152H respectively:

    A first university physics course primarily for students not intending to pursue a Specialist or Major program in Physical or Mathematical Sciences

    The second university physics course primarily for students not intending to pursue a Specialist or Major program in Physical or Mathematical Sciences.

    Evidently, those are for students who, well golly jee, actually intend to go forth with some sort of future in physics.

    So if you just need some first year physics to satisfy some requirements, 131 and 132 are perfectly fine.

    Think of it like this: the people who took 151 and 152 and gave is that higher retake rate? They probably actually liked physics. They WANTED to be there. Whereas the sorry bastards that gave 131 and 132 such low ratings? People that simply had to take it. Point being, take the results of the anti-calendar with a grain of salt.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year,  hard,  housing

    breaking bad first years

    July 25, 2013

    Hi, I’m going to? U of T in the coming fall and I am having some difficulties during course selection.

    I’m considering enrolling in either a Chemistry specialist program or Financial Economics specialist program in the future. Therefore, I am intending to choose CHY151Y1(Y), MAT135H1(F), MAT136H1(S), PHY131H1(F), PHY132H1(S), ECO100Y1(Y). However, when I emailed my College Registrar’s Office about it, she said it would be ‘an extremely heavy course load’ for me. Do you think it is too heavy as well? Do normal people only do the prerequisites for one program only?

    I also wonder if it is possible to do the Physics courses in the 2nd year instead of the 1st year, but still have the prerequisites for a Chemistry program.

    Besides, I’m on the wait list for the residence. Is it likely for me to get a residence offer? If not, where do you recommend me to live in while I’m at U Of T?

    Sometimes I might worry too much but I do worry about the job opportunities of a Chemistry graduate!

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Honestly, I do think that’s a rather heavy course load.

    If there’s anything there that you don’t actually need to take… just don’t take it. Spare yourself the trauma and stress. Normally, people take the fer sure prereqs for their would be programs, and maybe an elective here and there. And since I’m getting the vibe that you’re more into chem than eco, maybe don’t take eco? I’ve heard it’s a bit of a monster.

    But yes, you can just save the physics courses for second year if you don’t need them immediately.

    To get into chem, you only need CHM138H/139H. HOWEVER, note that if you go through with the specialist (as opposed to the major), you will eventually need physics down the line.

    As for residence…. er well it depends on the res and where you are on the waitlist. To be completely, honest, I have no idea if you’ll get in, but my gut is leaning towards a you shall not enter.

    Do you ABSOLUTELY need to live on campus?

    If you do, the university offers a roommate finder/house finder search function thingie. It may be a bit limited, but that’s something. Past that, there’s sifting through the usual sketchiness that is Craigslist, viewit.ca, and just… you know, Google.

    But if you can commute, do that.

    And job opportunities for a chemistry graduate?

    Well, you can always pull a Walter White… 😉

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year,  psychology

    the freedom of first year

    July 19, 2013

    Hello, there!

    I’m going into the Life Sciences major with psychology, in which PSY100H1 is the only prerequisite for first year. It seems odd that the entire course would be compressed into one half course. Are both the fall and winter PSY100H1 half courses meant to be taken to receive the full credit? Or, are they exactly the same course, and I only need one of them? This question is quite silly, but I’ve been over thinking it!

    Also, I know it is based upon ones major (prerequisites), and personal interests, but I have to add more courses to my timetable in order to be a full time student. There’s so many choices! Do you have any suggestions of first year courses that are generally good to take?

    Thank you very much!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    For psych, you just have to take PSY100H1 once. So you can take it in the fall or you want take it in the winter. Your choice!

    As for what else to take… well everyone’s going to have an opinion on that one, so I fully expect an array of comments telling me my rather generalized picks are flawed.

    But what do I think you should take?

    Well…

    1) INI103H Writing Essays or INI104H Writing Reports

    In university, being able to write is an essential skill. University is for research, but your research is pretty damn unbearable if you can’t convey it coherently. This course might not contribute to any future POSt, but it’ll benefit your general skill set, that much is for sure!

    2) A first-year seminar!

    Seminars are great and the 199 ones can only be taken by incoming students.

    They can be such a relief against the massive lectures you’re going to eventually attend. Likewise, they have the coolest topics, making them a super fun way to get that unwanted breadth requirement out of the way. 😉

    So for example, as someone who dreads science, I took a first-year seminar on Biology in Film to get my science credit out of the way — granted this was back in the day of distribution requirements. Don’t worry about those. Totes irrelevant to you.

    Anyhow, if you know one of those five breadth requirement groups is going to come back to haunt you in fourth year because you avoided it like the plague, take care of it now in a less than agonizing way.

    3) Some language course.

    Because you can. There’s Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Japanese, French, German, etc. Soooo many. Try one for fun if you’re up to it@ Naturally, they WILL require a lot of dedication from you, but they’ll definitely benefit you in the long run.

    But take a gander at the calendar and pick and choose.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year,  time management

    a social life and success can actually coexist

    June 28, 2013

    Hello there,

    I will be beginning my first year at UofT in September. I’m in the Life Sciences program in the Faculty of Arts & Science. I’ve been worrying about the course load that accompanies university. I’m concerned about the stress of doing my best in my courses all the while managing to find the time to relax with friends and family. I will be commuting to and from UofT every day, which will take up quite a bit of my time. I just want to be able to have time to maintain the relationships with my friends and boyfriend, and not have to constantly be studying. I was just hoping for advice on how to manage my time to make the most of my university experience. Also, I was wondering what an average Life Sciences student’s schedule would be like. How many hours would a Science student spend in class on average? How much reading will I be expected to do on my own? Is it difficult to have a social life while in university?

    Thanks in advance.

    – Madeline

    ———————————————

    Madeline,

    I applaud you for considering time management before actually starting at UofT. I’d say the average student only considers time management following a view of their abysmal midterm grades, so yay you for considering that university is tough and will require some prioritizing.

    I’m sure you’re used to seeing things like this:

    What I’m going to tell you is that you can actually have all three — provided you don’t go straight into the habiting of dicking around and ignoring all obligations. It’s actually super easy to have all three plus a little extra money!

    My advice to managing your time?

    Get a job.

    I know, I know. You’re probably wondering “how the heck will that help me?” but if there’s anything that’s managed my time throughout these years at UofT, it’s the blessed work-study program. While having a job certainly adds hours to your weekly schedule, it also forces you to get your act together. If you know you’ll only have three hours to work on x, you won’t procrastinate because it actually occurs to you that you really only have three hours to work on it!

    My next piece of advice to prioritize.

    There are things that matter in life, fine. For some, there are friends, family, and a boyfriend. For others, it’s about tumblr, burritos, and Jon Snow. But in the end, weeeeeell you’re only in university for four years (ideally).

    Like they can all wait.

    Likewise, you have four months off between things! And then weeks off between semesters! I’m not saying you need to alienate everyone around you, but hot damn if you want to succeed, maybe taking your friends up on that offer to visit that new bar on College isn’t totally necessary. And with family, depending on how your schedule works… well they’ll understand. Who, if not you family, wants your to succeed? As for your boyfriend, I dunno, get him a video game or something to pass the time with for when you’re busy studying.

    But just plan your week accordingly and you should have time for everything. 🙂 You don’t actually need to see your bff or your bf every day.

    You have to commute. Fine. I did. Lots of people did/do! So try to use your commute to the fullest. If you don’t get severe motion sickness, do your readings on the subway. Or if you want to spend time with the boyfriend and he’s going the same way, commute together.

    On that note, a great way to still spend time with people but get stuff done is to study together! There are tons of places on campus that are quiet enough that you can get some learning done while also, if a random thought that needs to make itself known pops into your head, you can just talk.

    (Also, TOP PRIORITY, said places typically allow for food.)

    As for how many hours a life sci student might spend in class, take a look at the course calender. Beside every course title is something that actually tells you how many hours you’ll spend in lectures/tutorials/practicals/etc for that class and divide by 12 or 24 depending on length of class.

    So for BIO120H, which I assume you’ll be taking, for the semester, you’ll be spending 24 hours in lecture and 15 in practicals.

    If you’re going with the 5.0 FCE a year route, you’ll have five classes and probably spend about 12-15 hours a week in lectures et al. Then add maybe 1 to 2 hours of studying for every hour of lecture. It’s really hard to gauge though how much time you’ll have to spend on readings and how many readings there will be since there are just so many variables involved.

    I know this might seem a bit overwhelming but think of it like this: you’re about to become a full-time student. Rather than contributing 9 to 5 hours to a job, you’re contributing it to learning. So while the prospect of spending 35-40 hours a week devoted to university might seem unreasonable, in the long run… well, it really isn’t.

    And again, so you don’t freak out, always keep in mind that it’s temporary! 🙂

    But it’s not hard to have a social life. It’s not hard at all! You can meet people in your classes, in clubs, yada yada yada. You’ll still hold on to your high school friends too, so fear not. Just don’t try to over exert yourself. Going out two times a week or so is enough to not let your brain rot in academia.

    Good luck with your next year and welcome to UofT!

    xoxo,
    aska

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  • courses,  first year

    intro to intros at uoft

    June 12, 2013

    hey aska,

    i’m going to be starting at uoft this september. i was wondering if you could tell me… everything? i don’t want to be annoying or needy, but i just don’t know who to ask.

    which courses should i take? i got in for humanities. i love reading and writing so i think i want to go into english, but i just have no idea… i don’t know what to do. 🙁

    please help me!

    sincerely,
    fumbling first year

    ?????????

    Fumbling First Year,

    Firstly, high five for giving yourself a name. I like names. I cannot emphasize my name-loving enough.

    Secondly, congrats on getting in! Four for you!

    Thirdly, alas, although askastudent is just sooooo easy to confuse with an all-knowing super amazing badass UofT god, I can’t tell you “everything” per se. I can, however, answer your little question.

    So what courses should you take…

    You like reading and writing? Cool beans! So do I. If you’re interested in going into an English major/specialist, you’ll have to take one of the full-year first-year English courses: Lit for Our Time or the Literary Tradition.

    Now what’s totally awesome about the English Department here is that they usually put up some semblance of the course syllabus by May or June. This means that not only can you know the possible marking scheme for your classes, but you can also get a head start on the readings!

    From the titles alone, you can see that these are two pretty different classes, meaning their readings will definitely come from different places/eras.

    Personally, I’d take Lit for Our Time. The one I took in first year doesn’t seem to be offered any more and was with the incredible Prof. Jeremy Lopez, but I’m sure either class will be great!

    And if you’re interested in writing, maybe take one of the first-year courses from?Writing and Rhetoric.

    Aside from those… well, just take whatever interests you!

    Take Intro to Anthropology, take World Religions, take Intro to Women and Gender Studies, take East Asian History, take Monuments of Art History, yada yada yada. But definitely take a look at the anti-calendar though for some in-depth looks into courses.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year

    i feel like a first-year advisor asdfghjkl

    May 24, 2013

    Hi there!

    I recently got accepted into the Health Studies program and I am wondering what my next steps are. Of course, I confirmed my acceptance, but now what?

    I was not able to attend the event on May 4th that probably would have answered all my questions, will there be another informative event like that before school starts?
    When should I apply for OSAP?
    How do I apply for scholarships and bursaries?
    What is the first payment and when is it due?
    Is there a guidance councilor or someone I can meet with that will help me decide my program choices?
    When can I start choosing my courses for September?
    If I am not eligible for OSAP (crossing my fingers that I am) what are my other options?
    When can I visit the school?

    Any suggestions or advice for a new student?
    I have already been to college and I understand university life is a lot different and grading is different too. Any suggestions on how I can prepare myself for university life?

    ?????????

    Jfc.

    I feel like I’m a registrar meeting with a bumbling first year. Wow. So many questions.

    Q. I was not able to attend the event on May 4th that probably would have answered all my questions, will there be another informative event like that before school starts?

    A. There was an event on May 4?

    Q. When should I apply for OSAP?

    A. ASAP.

    Q. How do I apply for scholarships and bursaries?

    A. Some admission scholarships are given to you automatically based on your incoming average, so you would’ve heard about those with your acceptance letter. There are some other academic awards you can apply to — although the application deadlines have probably already passed — and maybe some from your college, so take a look at those too. They usually take statements, resumes, yada yada yada.

    Q. What is the first payment and when is it due?

    A. Well the university requires the you pay 65% of your fees by August 20, so I guess that’s the “first payment.” What it is hasn’t been released yet but will eventually appear on the fees website.

    Q. Is there a guidance councilor or someone I can meet with that will help me decide my program choices?

    A. Your college registrar. You seem to have a lot of questions that are probably causing unnecessary anxiety because they have no actual merit for you, so you’re probably best off making an appointment with them. And depending on the college, you may even be able to chat via phone or skype. But I do stress that you make an appointment. No one likes a drop-in douchebag. Like honestly.

    Q. When can I start choosing my courses for September?

    A. I take it you haven’t looked at the calendar for the university you’re starting at, have you? But since you’re a first year, your first day of enrollment is July 30. Do begin planning your schedule though with the calendar and timetable. Personally, I just open an excel spreadsheet and make the rows the hours of the day and the columns the days of the week.

    Q. If I am not eligible for OSAP (crossing my fingers that I am) what are my other options?

    A. Get a job. Or get a loan elsewhere with a bank.

    Q. When can I visit the school?

    A. Whenever, I guess… No one’s going to stop you from walking around campus. Go explore. As long as you don’t enter something that has a “staff only” sign or something, you’ll be fine I’m sure.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year

    it’s never as hard as it seems. really.

    March 4, 2013

    I have applied to first year chemical and physical science. What are the required first year courses and do all first years get offered residence?

    Thanks
    Chris

    ?????????

    Chriiiiiiis,

    Did you not even read up on UofT before you sent in your application? Yes, first-year full-time students are guaranteed a spot in residence as long as you’ve actually applied to a res. So if you haven’t, you have until the end of the month.

    And well, there are no actual “required” courses. For the most part, in first year you can take whatever you feel like (provided you have the prerequisites). Since you’re in chemical and physical sciences, I assume you want to specialize/major/whatever in chemical and/or physics at the end of the year. If that’s the case, you’ll probably want to take CHM151Y OR the CHM138H/CHM139H combo. And if you’re keen on physics, PHY151H and PHY152H. Basically, take a look at the possible programs you can enter at the end of your first year and then work with the 100-level courses they want you to take.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • failing,  first year

    the long and winding question

    November 26, 2012

    Hey, I’m a first year student struggling with a particular course.

    I thought that it would be really interesting and it was recommended by a few friends of mine. Alas, I now find it redundant and boring but more importantly difficult to keep up with/stay motivated. It’s a full year course but it’s split up into two semesters. First semester focuses on certain aspects and is taught separately from the second semester material (that is taught by a different lecturer). So even though its a full year course, I have a end of semester exam. I was wondering, since I have a feeling I’m not going to pull an exceptional grade by the end of this semester, can I bring it up next semester (when the material is far more provoking)? Since it’s under the same course code, does that mean that my mark at the end of term doesn’t stand alone, but will continue to be raised (or lowered) next semester? Sorry if this long.

    I just want to know whether my first semester mark stands alone with the first semester material or is it just one mark judged based on the full year, meaning I can work on that said grade next semester. What if I get a really bad mark at the end of this semester? Does? that go on my transcript or does it only appear at the end of the year.

    Thanks!

    ?????????

    Hey hey!

    Okay so I’m basically stripping your message down to: “I’m in a full year course taught by different lecturers each semester. Is there a seperate grade per semester or one for the entire year?”

    If this class is a Y-course, then you get one final grade at the end of the academic school year some time in April. Whatever grades you’re getting right now are just things that will be weighted and contribute towards the final one. At most, they’ll appear on Blackboard, so don’t worry, your transcript is safe.

    Now go take a look at your syllabus. How much is the stuff you’ve been doing poorly on worth? How many things do you have left to be graded on and what are those worth? I’m sure if you work hard enough you’ll be able to pull things up next term.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year,  grades,  midterms

    the worth of work

    October 22, 2012

    Dear aska,

    I’m a first year at UTSG life sci, I study, but I don’t work my butt off, and I know that it’s my fault that I’ve done so horribly on my first term tests. I’ve gotten pretty much 60s – low 60s. Is it possible that I may pull up my mark by the second test, but just, what should I do? I don’t even know anymore, I’ve kind of lost hope. I know that I pretty much crammed 4 days before each tests, and I gotta change my study strategy for test 2, but even if I get an 80 on the next tests I’ll end up with a 70…and what if I still end up with 60s after becoming more hardworking.. I feel like everyone’s so smart and hardworking, I’m like…so..dumb..

    Most importantly….if I get through first year with 60s, is that okay? The thing is, I know it is, but would it just mean I’ll have less choice of POSTs, since my grades are so low?…

    Are there any POSTs in lifesci that have verrry minimal + non competitive requirements? I’m still kind of unfamiliar with everything. I think I’m just gonna bare with university and try to pass these 4 years as quickly as possible.

    ———————————————

    Hey hey!

    Here’s a tip: don’t just change the way you study – change the way you work.

    Change your reading habits, the way you take your notes, your lecture attendance (if that applies), and so on. U of T wants you to succeed, but that’s not going to happen unless you take initiative.

    So cancel your pity party, sweetie, because with a few habit-building trips to the library or whatever study space you choose, you should be fine. University requires discipline. It’s good that you realize what you’re doing/not doing, but until you actually try to make a change, of course you’re going to feel a little lost! I mean look at your own words. “Smart” and “hardworking” go hand in hand, so it’s time to get a move on working your butt off! 🙂

    And if you end up with something in the 70s, you should be fine. Take a look at the requirements needed for the specific programs you’re considering, but for example, a major in Human Biology only calls for 4.0 FCE and has no GPA minimum, so at least there’s that. But explore the Calendar a little and see what you’re interested in.

    But really, don’t feel so down. You’re in first-year. You’re transitioning. Everyone feels like this in their first semester, it’s just a matter of making a change.

    Good luck!

    aska

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  • courses,  first year,  humanities

    wtf is dts? omg!!

    September 19, 2012

    While flipping through the course calendar, freaking out as I choose my first year courses, I stumbled across Diaspora and Transnational Studies. It looks PERFECT for a very undecided social science student who wants to take a bunch of everything (anthro, his, geo, etc) and the into class fits perfectly in my schedule (something thats been plaguing me lately). However upon asking around to friends who are second/third years, no one can tell me anything about it….SO ASKA, school me! 🙂 have you heard good things? do you think taking DTS200 would be too much for a measly first year? oh and….is there any possible chance I’d get in through a wait list?

    many thanks
    ps. DTS sounds like a syndrome. Is it strange this makes me like it more?

     

    ———————————————

    Heyo!

     

    I’m a bit late with this answer, but I hope you did sign up for DTS200, and that you got in, waitlist or no! I always encourage first years to take a few second year courses for kicks.

    Although I initially assumed DTS stood for ‘Down to Salsa ,’ Diaspora and Transnational Studies is indeed one freakin’ cool program, and everyone I know who has taken it really digs it. It?s relevant, it?s political, and it?s challenging!

    It’s also important that students like you show sustained interest in interdisciplinary humanities/social science programs like this, which are constantly under threat by a university administration that prefers moneymaking departments like Commerce and Biotech. Recently, DTS was one of a few programs which faced radical amalgamation and downsizing , and only sustained student activism and the resulting public outcry stopped that from going down. Just so you knows!

    Let me know if you went for it!

    Huggles,

    aska

    p.s?the prereqs for some of the courses can be a little biotch when the courses are 200 and 300 series

    p.p.s DTS 200 and one of the 4th year Advanced Topics is taught by Prof Kevin O’Neill … who is super chill and not too shabby on the eyes (just sayin)

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  • awkwardness,  first year,  friends,  frosh,  innis,  residence

    frosh = friends?

    September 17, 2012

    Hi,

    I will be unable to attend Frosh Week because I’ll be arriving campus 3 days after it starts, but I am kind a worried because almost all the sources that I have read indicates that this is an important “mile-stone” that first-years need to take, and that it was a good way to meet friends, socialize, get used to the campus etc… I’m also dorming, so I have this little irrelevant fear that I won’t get along with my roomates (in Innis) because they’ll know each other better before I arrive, and I’ll sort of be the “outcast”.

    I was just wondering, am I really missing much? I’m sure there will be other opportunities to find friends, socialize, and attend orientation that may help me as a first year? I just don’t want to be left out, or feeling like I’m missing something that so many people are hyping over.

    Cheers,
    Catherine

    ———————————————

    Hey Catherine!

    Don’t worry! Frosh week is pretty fun, sure, but it is by no means the dealbreaker when it comes to social life at U of T.

    To make you feel better, here’s what I didn’t like about frosh week: they pretend to feed you, but actually all you get is two burgers a day, you really don’t sleep ever at all, you can’t officially drink, but everyone seems to be acting funny, and you’re totally wiped out when classes start. Still feel like you missed out? Well, maybe so, but there’s still no reason to worry.

    Living in res also gives you a leg up on meeting people, especially people involved in Innis student life– which you’ve probably realized by now! Several of my roommates at Innis didn’t do Frosh, so I made sure to bring them along to meet others, and, for better or for worse, we ended up being one of the busiest suites on the block! I’m sure your roomies will be just as down to hang. House events and residence programming simulate the same sort of get-to-know-yous that frosh does, anyhow, so you’ve got a second chance there.

    Honestly, Catherine, I made my best first-year friends in my classes- for one thing, you already know you have similar interests as those people, as opposed to a fairly arbitrary commonality such as your year and your college. And second of all, it’s simply more natural to chat after class about your cute prof than it is to get a stranger to guess the celebrity name taped to their forehead at 9am on a Saturday (true story, it was Rachel McAdams for me, and I didn’t even know who that was!). Getting involved in campus activities, getting a part-time job, and just being friendly and outgoing go pretty darn far.

    One last bit, and this is mostly for future froshies- if you missed Innis frosh, I hope you opted-out of the $100 fee in time! A few years ago, the Innis College Student Society, who run Frosh, included a somewhat greedy referendum in the yearly elections, which changed Frosh fees from opt-in (you pay when you sign up) to opt-out (you’re automatically charged on ROSI, and have to contact them a month before frosh to get your money back if you aren’t going). If you ask me, the kind of student who doesn’t go to Frosh is often the kind who wouldn’t know to vote in student elections, so thats why the motion passed overwhelmingly– and now a lot of first-years are paying for something they don?t even get! Bummer spice!

    Welcome to U of T!

    aska

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  • extracurricular,  first year,  UTSU

    where my wizards at?

    September 17, 2012

    Hi,
    I’m entering my first year at U of T in September and I was just curious a ?to whether or not there was some kind of Harry Potter fan club anywhere at?U of T? I know we have a quidditch team, but I heard that York has a huge HP club called the Ministry of Magic that includes a quidditch team, general fan club, etc. I’ve tried looking to see if U of T had one but couldn’t find anything.

    Thanks a lot for your help.

    ———————————————

    Hey Hermione!

    U of t has about a zillion clubs and is, logically, largely populated by the HP generation (though you will probably also meet awesome students from the Wu-Tang, Thriller, Woodstock, and even Elvis generations). Thus it stands to reason that there are enough wizardry-oriented individuals to constitute an official Harry Potter student organization. However, according to the University of Toronto Students Union Clubs List, it hasn’t been made yet.

    As you’ve noted, there is a U of T quidditch team, and naturally they are pretty rad by virtue of existing. But as for a broader fan club, potential members are probably too worn out from chasing snitches and broom-grooming to organize additional butterbeer pub nights and fan zines.

    Lucky for you, you can change that by starting your own club! Clubs are recognized and funded by the Students Union and you just need 30 members to sign up to be considered an official club, which allows you to apply for funding and other forms of assistance. Sounds like a friend-making opportunity to me! Stop by quidditch practice, and I bet you’re already halfway there.

    Hope U of T is as fun as Hogwarts was! It sure looks like it, anyway.

    aska

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  • arts & sciences,  first year,  keeners,  undergrad

    two in one

    August 17, 2012

    Hello,

    As an upcoming student to UofT, I was wondering if taking 200 courses as a first year would be too difficult. In the orientation they had mentioned that yes, since there were no pre-requites for some of the 200 courses, it was obviously possible, but not recommended (and of course the usual “But if you really want it, then by all means…) However, I would like to hear such information/reflections/opinions from the mouth of a student instead of an instructor.

    Thanks!

    MD

    p.s. I’m planning to take some 200 courses in English and Political Science.

    &

    ~

    as course selection dawns, i was wondering if taking a second year course in first year would prove to difficult. I want to take geography, but of the two half courses i want, one (GGR124H1) interferes with another mandatory course. I thought I could take GGR216H1 (Global Cities) instead (no prerequistits). Do you think this would be manageable? Or is this just my eager, first year brain trying too hard?
    yours faithfully

    ———————————————

     

    Dear MD and faithful, if unnamed, asker,

    Well, course selection has past dawned. in fact, since August 9th has passed and program-based priority has been removed for course enrolment, I’d say we’re at high noon. But since more than one of you asked about whether doing a few second year courses in first year is too difficult, let’s take a stab at it!

    While you may have felt discouraged from trying your hand at upper level courses, the truth is it’s totally normal to take second and even third year courses in your first year, as long as you’re following all of the rules around pre-requisites or language requirements. There are a few reasons it’s actually a pretty swell idea, especially for humanities and social sciences students, whose program tracks might not be quite as strict as science and professional subjects.

    Firstly, first year courses can be dishearteningly huge in any discipline. we’re talking hundreds of students in some lectures. Unless you were lucky enough to have gotten your foot into a one of those quaint first year seminars, which are under 25 students, taking upper year courses is a good way to remind yourself that in the years to come, courses will be smaller and, if you’re extra good, professors might even learn your name.

    Similarly, first year courses sometimes can be a bit broad, repetitive, and, dare I say it, too easy. For go-getters like yourselves, you’ll look forward to having a more focused and more challenging class in the middle of what can be a slow schedule. Second year courses are also much more likely to be half-year courses, meaning you can get away with taking a wider variety of courses in your first year. This might be preferable to getting tired of your full-year courses by December with no end in sight.

    Lastly, unless you’ve planned out courses for your whole degree already, taking a few 200- or 300-level courses your first year is good insurance against using up your 100 level credits. Students at U of T are only able to put a maximum of 6.00 100-level credits towards your degree. If you use 5.0 of those your first year, and then realize that you need to take 2.0 more 100-level courses to get where you need to be for your major or minor Subject POSt requirements, you’ll have to give up some of those other 100-levels. And nobody likes to give up hard work! Worse, it doesn’t occur to some international students (read: me) that a lot of those high school AP credits that transfer into your degree transfer as 100-level credits already.

    cheers,

    aska

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