• anti-calendar,  courses,  hard,  tests

    i want my syllabus!

    July 19, 2010

    Hey,

    I’m trying to plan out my timetable and select courses for the upcoming school year. I’ve already referred to the anti-calendar and
    ratemyprofessor.ca to make sure I select the right profs so that’s not the issue for me.

    The issue rears its ugly head when I attempt to find the course syllabus for each course. The reason I’m looking for course syllabi is because I’m trying to get some insight on what the workload will be like for each course (how many tests and/or assignments there will be and what they will be weighted, if I will be graded on tutorial attendance, etc).

    When referring to the anti-calender, it seems like the workload is always rated ‘average’ by students, so that does not really help me. I’ve also referred to the exams and course collections database, but that yielded no results either (many courses are password protected, only have one outdated syllabus from the 1800’s, or are not even listed at all). I’ve even tried going on portal and clicking on “browse course catalogues” … but most, if not all, of the courses are restricted and don’t let me view the course pages.

    It seems I’ve exhausted all my options at this point. All I want to do is skim over the course syllabus for each course and such a seemingly simple task appears impossible to accomplish.

    Do you have any suggestions or am I just going to have to wait and receive the syllabus on the first day of classes?

    Thanks.

    Amanda

    ———————————————

    Hello Amanda, the keener.

    It seems like you’ve really done your homework – and the class hasn’t even begun! Sometimes, old syllabi pop up on former course or program websites, but sometimes they’re under lock and key. Though most profs tend to go AWOL during the summer, you might get lucky if you email the professor who’s listed in the timetable for the syllabus (perhaps they also taught the course last year?), or a quick and friendly email asking about courseload. Depending on the course, Aska might know some people who might be able to give you a bit of detailed advice about the work schedule.

    In the meantime though, don’t sweat it. I understand your angst, given that the class might have too much workload and by the time you know it you might want to drop it and then there might be no other spaces in the other classes you might want. (LARGE DEEP BREATH.) But in the first week of classes, many students go shopping – not just for fancy U of T hoodies – but by examining the syllabi of their new classes and decided whether or not they’ll drop them.

    The first day of your class is usually when you’ll get the syllabi, featuring all the assignments, readings and due dates.

    So for now, hold tight, lemme know what courses you’re looking for in particular, and I’ll see what I drudge up.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • choosing,  hard,  subject POST

    if not aska, then who?

    March 19, 2010

    Dear Aska,

    Love the blog and the concept. Where do you find the time and mental energy?

    Currently a grade 11 student completing the french bac next year. Marks are v good and I understand I will be able to get 3 transfer credits in Mat, Sciences, Languages or similar. I have three subjects of interest in Arts and Sciences: Economics, Asia-Pacific Studies and Writing and Rhetoric. Also looking to apply for Vic one. I have a couple of questions.

    Can I use the exemptions I will be granted to cover off some of the breadth requirements – for instance the science requirement?

    If I use the exemptions to fill some first year requirements – like Math for Economics – will the university let me do a double major (Asia-Pac and Economics) and a minor Writing and Rhetoric. (By my math I can fit in the 18 courses to attain these).? Can I do a major and two minors instead?

    Finally, I am dreaming and will the work load be too much?

    Thanks for your advice. Best Regards.

    ———————————————

    Where do I find the time and mental energy? That’s an easy one to answer. There are students that need their (silly) questions answered, students that need their (totally unfounded) worries calmed, and students that desperately need someone to slap their sorry senses back into them. How can I stay in my own little bubble when there are so many students out there that are in need of my greatness? *aska sits on his throne and leisurely sips his tea*

    Now, any transfer credits you gain upon admission will count towards degree requirements, but watch out: the Calendar has changed now. The new breadth requirements will be replacing the old distribution requirements, which required students to take 1 science, 1 humanities, and 1 social science credit each. Students coming to UofT in 2010 or later will instead need to take one credit from at least 4 out of 5 of the following categories (copied straight out of the new Arts and Science calendar):

    1. Creative and Cultural Representations

    2. Thought, Belief, and Behaviour

    3. Society and Its Institutions

    4. Living Things and Their Environment (don’t click this link if you don’t like creepy crawlies. I warned you.)

    5. The Physical and Mathematical Universes

    Students must take at least 4 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that have been designated as satisfying the Breadth Requirement. These 4 credits must be either (a) at least 1 FCE in each of any 4 of the 5 categories above, or (b) at least 1 FCE in each of any 3 of the 5 categories, and at least 0.5 FCE in each of the other 2 categories.

    To graduate from UofT, you need to complete: 1) a specialist program, OR 2) two majors, OR, 3) a major and two minors. So yes, you can do a double major in Economics and Asia-Pac studies and a minor in W&R. Or, you could do a major in Asia-Pac and have minors in Economics and W&R and still be able to graduate. However, as you said, a double major and minor would require around 18 credits, so you may have to take some summer courses or a 6th credit during the school year. Keep in mind that most people’s interests do change when they go to University, and you never know you may end up doing a major program in something entirely different! So allow yourself some room to experiment around, in case you need to make changes.

    As for whether or not the course load will be too much for you to handle, I think the answer to that question is different for everyone. One thing I am learning as I go through UofT is that everybody has different limits, and it is up to you to know your own. For instance, some people may feel extremely stressed taking 4 credits during the year, while others take 6 courses, hold a job, and join tons of extra-curricular activities and still feel relatively unfazed. I think that as you go through UofT, you will begin to get a feel for your own limits. But just take it easy for now you’ll find out when you get here, and if you feel too stressed or not challenged enough, you can always take less/more courses.

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  • failing,  hard

    A bit of a history lesson

    November 9, 2009

    Hey !So there’s a rumour going around and I was just wondering if it’s true. Apparently UofT accepts everyone for their first year and they make the first year courses really hard so the students will either fail or drop out.
    Is the drop out rate high for first years? Also, are the first year courses really that hard or is it just these slackers who don’t have good work ethics?
    Thanks!

    ————————————-

    UofT was first founded in 1827 with the intention of robbing students of their money. Since then, it has historically taken the money of thousands of students per year. In fact, the influence of UofT is so great, that we’ve robbed Margaret Atwood, Paul Martin, and John Macleod, for their money. Anyway, UofT then blackmails each of its students into encouraging their friends and family to come to UofT, so that the cycle continues. You better be careful who you?re talking to. You never know if the people you?re sitting next to are UofT grads who are just waiting to get you when your turn comes.

    In all seriousness. UofT is a university that is world-renowned in many categories, so obviously University is not going to be a cruise. You do not come here if you just want to laze around the next four years off your life. There are many other places where you can do that.

    First year courses come as a shock to many, but a lot of it is also because University is very different than high school in almost every way?the way you’re taught is different, the environment is different, the people around you are different, yada yada. You?ll probably need a bit (or a lot) of time to make the transition. Of course, whether or not the courses are difficult, to you, also depends your abilities, interests, previous knowledge, and work ethic. Aska has actually heard that UofT actually has the highest retention rate (percentage of people who stay at the University after first year), though I’m not sure how much truth there is to that statement. Anyway, even if you fail a few courses, you can still continue in the University, so no, UofT certainly doesn’t fail people out.

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  • failing,  hard,  probation,  psychology,  subject POST

    Can you hear me Major Tom?

    August 11, 2008

    Hi Askastudent

    I am sorry to tell you that my Sessional GPA was 1.20 and CGPA was 0.32 in my 2nd year in UT, I just suspended for 1 year and i would like to strive for the specialist programme of Psychology. I know it is hard to get into the programme, So I may consider Specialist of Behavioral Science as my 2nd major (PSY100 only got 62…)
    Sigh, may you provide some advices to me? Thx

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  • hard,  health,  sex/romance

    Don’t forget to chew.

    August 8, 2008

    My boyfriend and I have been together for about 2 years, we hold hands, hugs and lots of kisses, but never cross the line.? I am still a virgin, and I really, really think we should have sex only after marriage. My boyfriend tasted the forbidden fruit long time ago, and I know he really really wants me, but I just can’t, even I wanted to. I am still in my second years, so I? still in school for 2-3 years (which mean I will not marry him for 2-3 years, which mean he will have to bear 2-3 years with no sex.)

    I want sex, I am horny, but I can’t give up myself and taste the forbidden fruit. I really really wanted to save myself for that special person (my boyfriend) for that special day.
    Help me!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know what to do anymore.

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  • choosing,  engineering,  hard,  life science,  med school

    You better lose yourself to the music, the moment you want it, you better never let it go…

    August 1, 2008

    Hey askastudent,I am in a bad situation right now…

    I am a first year student and I am gonna start life science from September. I have heard a lot about life science that it is very hard to survive. I was aiming for MD but I have realized how hard it is to get there and if i am not able to get into MD after 4 years of life science(which is gonna kill me), there isn’t many options other than going into research or becoming a teacher/professor. The thing that came to my mind was that, I would rather spend 4 years in engineering and get a bright future (high earnings), then do 4 years in BSc and still be v.low compared to engineering. I have even realized that doctor might not be the profession i want. After having thought a lot, I considered going
    for Engineering(TrackOne), but the main problem that i am having is that i don’t have Gr12 Physics and I can’t even take it in summer school bcuz its too late.

    I have 2 options that I have to decide from now –

    1 – Go back to high school and take Gr12 Physics(SPH4U) in night school i suppose till january and then wait for september. It is gonna be free, VERY easy, will start from next year engineering anyhow, I can work and earn some money etc.

    2. Continue with Life Science for this year and take BIO150Y1 (necassary), CHM138H,139H (necassary) and PHY131H,132H (to get admission in engineering next year i would have to take this physics course), and 1 more course that would be the easiest of all science courses. This option is v.costly compared to the 1st one, v.difficult as well, but I would have gone through all the difficulty faced in first year when i start engineering next year, so it would give me a head start in engineering next year and hopefully I wont be one of the many people who drop out of engineering. I would have gained experience on how to survive in university. I would even have 1 year of life science attached to my record which could be useful i guess. I would have explored all the career options that I could possibly get into. I would even know if MD is the correct options for me or not.

    What would u suggest – Spend 4 years in Engineering or in Life Science?

    I know I put more emphasis on the 2nd option but i’m considering both options equally (which is why im terribly confused). So, which option would be better and logical – going back to high school and do engineering next year or start life science and switch to engineering next year?

    If I choose my second option, which courses would you suggest that i should take?

    Awaiting you reply.

    Regards,
    Ali

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  • hard,  languages

    askastudent, est prend francais une bonne idee?

    May 11, 2007

    I would very much like to learn french in university. I was contemplating majoring in it but then I began to wonder?do languages generally pull your average down? I have already been lectured in the benefits/virtues of gaining fluency in a third language. However, acceptance into Grad school is something I hope to achieve, and I do not want one subject to drag my average down and endanger my chances of getting into a reputable school.
    Do you know of any form in which I can learn French in a non-academic environment?
    Would I be better off just taking French in university?
    Please help!!

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  • distribution,  hard,  keeners,  languages,  subject POST

    I’m crazy, can I do a major and a specialist?

    February 22, 2002

    Hi, I’m a prospective U of T student. I was wondering whether it’s possible to do a specialist program AND a major program. I really want to do a Modern Languages specialist (Spanish and Portuguese, 14 courses) and an English major (7 courses). Is this allowed? Or would they consider this a triple major and not permit it? Also, how many courses may a first year student take, maximum?

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