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I want to change my schedule, but I'm so torn about what to do. The whole thing stems from wanting to drop Java I and just take Java II this semester because I think I might be above the subject matter and pace of Java I. I took a semester of C++ back in 2002 so it technically fulfills my requirement for that course, but I wonder how much I'll remember once I get in or how I'll adapt to Java jumping into a second semester course. All this compounded by that seven year gap where I really did no programming at all. Will I flounder if jump into Java II? Will I drown in boredom of Java I and feel I wasted a semester?
The other benefit to jumping into Java II this semester would be I could finish off this two year degree in just two semesters since I have so many transfer credits. Otherwise I have to take one more semester for just one more CompScience class to get that degree. That's a lot of months saved, and I could transfer to the four year degree program so much sooner.
The cons is the crazy logistics of trying to get this all transferred. There's only one open course for Java II and it already conflicts with another course I'm taking so I'll have to drop that and take it another time or pick some other class up. It's already one week into the semester. Who knows what classes aren't full and I got so few options.
I suppose I should just try to make up a new schedule and see how things work out, but there's also that lingering fear of jumping back into that Java II course with no idea how I'll perform. Though if I stick with the schedule I'm working now. I'm sure to flat out get an A on Java I and probably help my GPA a lot and be better prepared for Java II next semester. If I do have to take a third semester, I could always load it up with courses to work towards my Bachelors.
The question is "What Are My Goals?". Is it to get a degree a fast as I can? Not really. The goal is to complete the degree. I've failed before. Maybe I should take the surefooted path. Slow and steady. Seems like a cop out. Taking the easy way out. I tend to take the easy way out. The easy way is usually for me to quit.
I have to make sure I do not quit. I have to go slow. I have to be sure. It will nag on me as the semester drags on, especially if the course is mind-numbingly easy, but I might need to stay the course I'm on and see how I adapt to this semester.
I really just don't know. I got a day to decide, before the deadline to drop/add comes.
I hope I find an elegant solution to this.
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United States4053 Posts
You should look at the curriculum for Java I. If it really seems too easy to you, so much so that you can truly guarantee an A, I think it might be worth it to skip. Helping your GPA with that free A is no good if you don't learn anything spectacularly new from it.
On top of that, programming Java on a whole is really not complicated at all, what you should be looking for from a programming class is the foundations for algorithmic thinking.
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United States3824 Posts
What's the hurry? It's a recession
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I don't think there is a huge hurry. Other than, if I complete the 2 year degree in just two semesters then I could start trying to hustle up some kind of new job over the summer with that degree and maybe start working on my four year in the fall. Otherwise if I stay the course I'm on, I'll probably try to take that 3rd CompSci class over the summer(if they even offer it) and be behind a bit, and what if I have to wait til fall just to get that one class.
I could start up a whole other counterpoint as to why that wouldn't be such a bad thing. I think I just go back to digging through course schedules to see if I can find some combination of classes that would work if I change things.
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If you like programming then you will never "drown in a sea of boredom". I have no idea how the American courses are taught or what the contents are but even the java introduction style courses in Australia teach you heaps about object oriented programming and thinking differently. If you haven't had much experience with Java this will help immensely.
You haven't really given a whole lot of insight into what you already know so that makes me think you should do Java I first.
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Take your time man, taking Java first would probably help you in the long run, just look at the pros, increased GPA and you got you're skills refreshed.
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EPT
