• architecture,  dropping courses

    take the initiative, improve your writing skills

    March 12, 2010

    Dear Aska
    I am currently a first year student planning to get into the architecture program, but the entrance requirements are really high… I don’t have a problem with the 3.2 gpa cut off that they have, but what if I don’t get a minimum of 70 in my arc132 course? My english is not good enough to get high marks in that course (you know, arc132 is all about writing papers). Is it possible to retake this course next year in case I didn’t get the minimum mark required, or should i drop it (it’s actually gonna be a late withdrawal now) and take it next year?

    thnx sooo much for any information you can give 🙂

    ———————————————————————-

    It is possible to retake the course next year if you don?t reach the minimum mark. However, it you would have to take it as an extra course. So it would not count toward the 20-credit requirement you need to graduate from UofT.

    I think the answer to your question really depends on the mark you are getting in the course, and what percentage of the course has already been completed. For instance, if you?re currently getting (say) an F in the course after having completed coursework that is going to count for 80% of your total grade, I would advise you to withdraw from the class so that you can focus more on your other courses. If you?re getting a C+ right now, and have only completed coursework for 50% of your final grade, I would suggest that you stick with it ? you still have time to try to pull your mark up, up, up. And if that fails, you can always retake the course next year.

    I?m not trying to intimidate you, but architecture at UofT is extremely competitive. Keep in mind that architecture is a humanities program ? so there will likely be more papers and essays for you to write in higher-level courses. You should really take some time to reflect: if you do end up getting into Architecture, would you enjoy writing all those papers for the theory and history courses?

    If you?re determined to get into architecture, you should seriously consider taking the needed steps to improve your writing skills. Take advantage of your resources! If you want to improve your writing, why not make an appointment at your college writing centre? Or how about checking out the services at the Academic Success Centre? And, if English is not your first language, what about checking out the English Language Learning course offered by New College in the summer?

    I would also really, really recommend that you talk to your college registrar about this in order to clear up any queries, concerns, or reservations you have about your decisions.

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  • dropping courses,  economics,  international relations

    So You Think You Can Summer School Economics?

    November 9, 2009

    Hi.

    I am A. Currently I’m taking Eco105(Prof.Hare). I find hard time to understand the subject and I feel I need more time to study it. I’m thinking to drop this course and take it next summer. I’m planning to do IR and the subject surely is required for the programme. Do you have any advice? Is it safe to take it during summer? I heard that the structure of the course depends on professor. Could my decision to drop will be risky? What is the key to understand economic concepts? Seriously I feel like disaster and horrible while having the lecture.

    ———————————————

    Hi A. So you’re taking economics, huh?

    Well, I just checked the Arts and Science calendar for the requirements for International Studies, and there are really a few things that you might just want to consider. First of all, aska has been told that unlike most subject POSts, International Studies only considers applicants to its program once every year, and that’s only during the first request period (April 1 to May 19). So if you take economics in the summer, you might have to wait until the next year to be accepted in the program at all. You might want to double check this with Trinity though. So go email them. Nao.

    Second of all, summer courses are DEMANDING. You have to absorb the material that’s thrown at you at twice the rate you normally would. And from experience, the nice weather certainly does not help with motivation. That’s not to say you shouldn’t take a summer course, just don’t expect it to be any easier.

    Third of all, you’ll notice that admission into the program requires a 3.0 GPA. That’s a B average. So if your economics mark has been REALLY low so far and is going to pull down your GPA substantially, that should be a factor in your decision as to whether or not to drop it. But this is definitely an issue that you may want to bring up with your registrar before you do anything hasty. BUT WAIT! What is that on the calendar under “Second and Third Years” for International Studies? *squints* Help me read that for you, would you?

    What’s that? The International Studies program will require you to take more economics courses? Geez. Well, who would’ve known. You know what though? If you’re struggling with ECO105, you’re probably not gonna find the higher year economics classes any better. If you feel terrible in class, imagine how you’re gonna feel after year after year of economics.

    Maybe you should take a moment or two to reflect on your own goals and why you want to be in International Relations. What is pushing you towards that field, and are there any other options that would will help satisfy your interests and that may be better suited for you? There are many other programs offered at UofT that have an’international’ flavour: East Asian studies, European studies, and so on…

    As for the key to understand economics concepts, I seriously have no idea. I’ve never taken an economics course in my life. In fact, my life has no purpose except to sit here answering questions like this for you people. Go talk to your prof, TA, and upper year students in economics.

    As a last thought, your statement that you feel ‘like disaster’ worries me a bit. I hope you are not starting to feel depressed in class. If you are, again, talk to your registrar or make an appointment with CAPS. This is all I can do for you. Take care.

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  • dropping courses,  easy,  humanities

    do it how you like it

    August 1, 2007

    Hey aska,

    I need help finding a bird course in the humanities as a half course in the
    fall, any ideas? Preferably one that is 26L in the calendar. Also I was
    wondering what you’ve heard about CLA204H1-Intro to Classical Mythology.
    Hopefully only good news. By the way, I’m not amazing at memorizing tonnes of
    info nor writing essays. Thanks

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  • courses,  dropping courses,  new college

    askanotherstudent

    July 17, 2006

    help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee askastudent! i miss ur responses! plzz update! i have a question 4 u and its urgent. what have u heard about Intro to African Studies: NEW 150 Y1? There is no rating available in the anti calendar and the description of the course is vague. I am wondering which countries do they cover? lastly, what have u heard about CLA 160? Is it any good?
    milles merci!

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  • dropping courses,  subject POST

    give it to me hard, euripides!

    June 30, 2006

    if ur enrolled in a specific post (like classics or something), do u HAVE TO take classic courses come second year? or can i take basically anything OTHER THAN classics and just use that as a stepping stone for another post that i want? and i’ve also completed 2 half classic courses this summer and i guess that would count for that ost (classics), so do i still have to take classic courses come second year? or will ROSI acknowledge that i’ve taken the 2 classic courses in the summer and let me take anything other than classics? sorry if this is confusing! =)

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