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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
I made my fair share of mistakes during my four years at college - some big, some small. If I may, I have one advice for the thousands of incoming freshmen across the country: underload on classes.
I say this because I overloaded on courses during my first semester at college, and I paid a huge price. I had the double whammy of adjusting to college life (home and college were thousands of miles away) and a new academic setting simultaneously. The workload was massive, making the challenge even greater. I somehow managed to get non-catastrophic grades in the end, but I was getting very little sleep, had lost 15 pounds over the first 6 weeks of class (Freshman minus-fifteen!), and was completely burnt out. It didn't have to be this way.
I took 5 classes during my first semester at classes. The standard was 4 for engineers, and 3 for humanities majors. I chose classes so that I would push my intellectual boundaries in both breadth and depth. But looking back, my huge workload didn't allow me to achieve either of these goals.
I was always fighting the clock to complete the assignments. Due to the amount of time I had to spend hitting the books, my adjustment to college life did not go particularly well. In conjunction, my sleep was erratic and inadequate, and I wasn't eating enough, if at all.
Instead of focusing on learning and expanding my horizons, my life revolved around finishing assignments, then tackling the next set of assignments. It was centered around output rather than input. It set me back tremendously in the long run as well, since the technical foundation on which my next 3 years would be built on would never be as solid as it could have been.
What would I do differently now? First, I would take 3 classes that would be undoubtedly important for me. This would have been Physics 105 (the Physics majors' Physics course), Math 201 (Multivariable Calculus), and Cos126 (Introduction to Java). The limited number of classes would have allowed me to work on developing a solid foundation of technical knowledge. I could have had the frame of mind to explore the subject deeply, following my curiosity.
For breadth, I would have audited or sat in on lectures that looked interesting. This would have allowed me to poke around in many different subjects and hear eminent professors lecture, without having to worry about hundreds of pages of additional reading or hours upon hours of additional problem solving. I would have actively talked with peers in different disciplines, and would have asked for books to read on my own for edification. I would have informally explored new horizons, while creating a deep foundation in a the select core areas.
College is hard. In fact, the better the student you were in highschool, the more difficult it will be for you. You'll be learning a new system, while going through growing pains.
I strongly urge you to pick out a few key areas of study, hit them hard, and hit them well. Take the extra time to really think about the subject, and let your curiosity and creativity take you wherever they may go. On the side, start looking into new academic frontiers, but without the hard commitments and brutal deadlines.
Make your first foray into college an exercise in intellectual growth and stimulation, instead of a challenge in productivity and time management.
And above all else, enjoy yourself.
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Crossposted from hkmurakami.com
edit: Since people might wonder, I will mention that I attended Princeton University from 2003 to 2007. It's not my intent to "name drop", but this seems to be one of the few instances where it may be pertinent
edit2: Copying a reply here since I think the counterpoint is valuable.
On September 12 2011 15:03 n.DieJokes wrote:
I think a lot of your advice stems from the rigor of your university and is generally not applicable. As a counter example, my first semester at Rutgers I only took 5 courses (basically the same as the ones you listed) and regretted it although I can't believe I could have convinced freshman me to take a sixth (intro to linear). My courses were fairly easy considering my workload senior year of high school and I feel a tad behind some of my peers because of it.
My advice to incoming freshman is know what you're getting into. Everyone knows the stats for their school and you should set realistic goals for yourself based on a rough sketch of a typical student there. You can get a lot out of college by hitting the ground running and I think that's one of the things you sacrifice when you choose the best school you can get into. In the op's case, its freaking Princeton and I think his advice is totally solid but if you didn't get into your top choice and your a little above average or financial reasons led you to a sub optimal school get the most out of it. What I'm saying is don't be afraid of college courses because there are a ton of really interesting ones and you only have four short years to get to them
  
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You're lucky if you only took 5 classes in first semester. First year engineers now take 6-7 classes on average o_0. Everyone would prefer to underload their courses, but in most cases, they're required to take all of them at that specific time.
edit: NVM apparently some schools run on different semester systems 
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As a freshmen, I would say be friends mainly with the SC guys on campus, and branch out socially through girls only. There is a lot less pointless drama with only girl friends, plus it's not like you're looking for a husband anyways, so try to find a gf early. I think having a gf in your first year would have been awesome, it's an emotionally turbulent time, and having a "biffle/gf" helps a lot. Also, any chance you get to get off campus for what ever reason, take it. Staying on campus drives you crazy, eventually even shopping at nordstrom was a hot night out on the "town" for me haha.
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On September 12 2011 14:04 CanucksJC wrote:You're lucky if you only took 5 classes in first semester. First year engineers now take 6-7 classes on average o_0. Everyone would prefer to underload their courses, but in most cases, they're required to take all of them at that specific time. edit: NVM apparently some schools run on different semester systems
first year engineer, and i have 6 classes. >.< tell me i am not going to die.
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Yeah I completely agree, if you have too many courses, it's easy to be too focused on finishing the tasks at hand instead of learning. Even if you get A's you might not retain much if you didn't obtain a real, deep understanding.
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I'm thinking the 6+ classes is just some schools operating on a different system. Quarter system here: 3 classes + 1 audit that I have to skip which is totally standard at my school.
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After three years here, I've finally learned to underload on classes.
I made the mistake of underloading my first semester, thinking I could overload for the next few years, overloading, and then burning out in junior year. I'm ready to return to underloading.
Good advice.
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On the flip side, don't be scared of branching out and pushing yourself. You'd be surprised what you can do with 24 hours in a day if you really try. I took 4 classes (quarter system, so 4 is the max), while swimming 20+ hours a week and still having a social life, hitting parties a couple times a week and hanging out with friends pretty much every day, and (barely) managed to get by. I don't swim anymore, but that year taught me that if I ever think I don't have enough time in my week to do the things I need to do, it's almost certainly my fault for being lazy or unproductive.
That said, focus on core requirements first year. Take 1-2 or 2-3 classes (depending on quarter/semester) that are interesting, useful for your major, and/or difficult. Then load up the rest of your schedule as full as possible with core classes. They're generally going to be easier than your major classes and (hopefully) will help you with useful skills (writing, research, learning to read articles or write proofs, learning how to think/organize thoughtsetc.), which will both make your freshman life easier and help the transition to more rigorous and demanding academics. And you'll thank your freshman self later, when you have the freedom to take less classes when the really hard ones come or change your schedule around to accommodate interesting ones.
And on a related note, make sure you really learn those skills. Learning how to write well is one of the first and most useful things you should learn in college. Research is a very involved process, and learning to read articles/papers in your field quickly and efficiently is a 4-year project on its own. If you want to go into a math field, really understand the proofs you're doing and spend extra time on them; intuition is the most valuable and hardest/longest thing to learn. First year is easy compared to the rest of college, and that's when you want to build a foundation of toolbox skills to rely on later. Information can be useful by itself, but the most important part is using the information given to develop skills for later.
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I'm doing 8 subjects in my first semester of my masters degree and I really feel like the gun is loaded and pointed at my head :D Well, Balls to the wall, and tough it out! It's all cool subjects anyway.
For first year students, just be yourself. Dont go looking for girl-friends too actively. Just ask some girls if they wanna form a study group with you.
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I think a lot of your advice stems from the rigor of your university and is generally not applicable. As a counter example, my first semester at Rutgers I only took 5 courses (basically the same as the ones you listed) and regretted it although I can't believe I could have convinced freshman me to take a sixth (intro to linear). My courses were fairly easy considering my workload senior year of high school and I feel a tad behind some of my peers because of it.
My advice to incoming freshman is know what you're getting into. Everyone knows the stats for their school and you should set realistic goals for yourself based on a rough sketch of a typical student there. You can get a lot out of college by hitting the ground running and I think that's one of the things you sacrifice when you choose the best school you can get into. In the op's case, its freaking Princeton and I think his advice is totally solid but if you didn't get into your top choice and your a little above average or financial reasons led you to a sub optimal school get the most out of it. What I'm saying is don't be afraid of college courses because there are a ton of really interesting ones and you only have four short years to get to them
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Canada11339 Posts
On September 12 2011 13:49 thedeadhaji wrote:
I took 5 classes during my first semester at classes. The standard was 4 for engineers, and 3 for humanities majors. I chose classes so that I would push my intellectual boundaries in both breadth and depth. But looking back, my huge workload didn't allow me to achieve either of these goals.
I was always fighting the clock to complete the assignments. Due to the amount of time I had to spend hitting the books, my adjustment to college life did not go particularly well. In conjunction, my sleep was erratic and inadequate, and I wasn't eating enough, if at all.
For breadth, I would have audited or sat in on lectures that looked interesting. This would have allowed me to poke around in many different subjects and hear eminent professors lecture, without having to worry about hundreds of pages of additional reading or hours upon hours of additional problem solving. I would have actively talked with peers in different disciplines, and would have asked for books to read on my own for edification. I would have informally explored new horizons, while creating a deep foundation in a the select core areas.
College is hard. In fact, the better the student you were in highschool, the more difficult it will be for you. You'll be learning a new system, while going through growing pains.
Only 3 for humanities, huh. One thing I'm wondering, did you actually know what you were going to do with your courses? Because it all sound very exploratory/ getting courses to stimulate you academically. In that case, I would absolutely agree as it's a double whammy. You've moved and are doing more things and you're discovery learning which means motivation will really vary.
I say that because I did 5.5 years of uni where 5 courses per semester was my easiest load. Once I was in 3rd year, I had less academic courses (3 humanities one semester, 2 humanities second semester), but on top of that I had 4 education classes per semester plus a weekly practicum. It was a concurrent degree- BEd/ BA. But my first 2 years I was living at home and transferred/ moved in my third year. And all along my goal was first to get into the teacher program and then become a teacher. There's a little more fire to get things done when you're there for a degree to get a job. Not saying exploratory is wrong, it's just I think you can handle a few more courses when there's a set goal. Mind you the workload of the education program is not nearly so rigorous as other programs. (Until you hit month practicum and then, that's your life.)
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
gotta sleep but I promise to reply to everyone tomorrow!
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Heh, nice post for all the engineers I'm sure, but it's amusing to read for a psychology student. The hardest thing for me when I started uni was to decide how to spend all the free time I suddenly had.
Also it's good to have you back Haji. My brother arrived in Tokyo a week ago, thanks in part to your translation. 
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Solid advice from OP. Of course, circumstances will vary depending on your college and major, but it never hurts to keep yourself some breathing room in the first semester/quarter of your Freshman year. If it was too easy, just overload a tad until you find the right balance.
The first year is when you reestablish yourself, use the extra time to try out a few different things you haven't done before. Having that margin of error will go a long way.
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
On September 12 2011 15:52 Orome wrote:Heh, nice post for all the engineers I'm sure, but it's amusing to read for a psychology student. The hardest thing for me when I started uni was to decide how to spend all the free time I suddenly had. Also it's good to have you back Haji. My brother arrived in Tokyo a week ago, thanks in part to your translation.
Awesome
I hope he enjoys his time there!
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Definitely good advice for the grade-conscious or people who have already figured out a single area of interest. I'd actually encourage more people to audit classes though instead of just not taking them. I took 5-6 classes nearly every quarter of my four years of undergraduate (4 class regular load), and usually had to sacrifice one class to extracurriculars/being social (not having actually learned how to manage my time properly). At the end of four years, though, I still feel like there are a lot of classes I want to take. Auditing that class-you-don't-really-need-but-want-to-take-anyway seems like a reasonable solution.
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This is good advice.
I've had so many friends start as the typical reach for the top engineer or science student, burning out, and then 2nd semester they're a communications major or something with loads of free time. From one extreme to the other.
Treat yourself like a human being, not a mentally inexhaustible immortal. A hard college program should be treated like a marathon, and choosing to overload yourself is like missing the water stations 
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On September 13 2011 01:35 Horrde wrote:This is good advice. I've had so many friends start as the typical reach for the top engineer or science student, burning out, and then 2nd semester they're a communications major or something with loads of free time. From one extreme to the other. Treat yourself like a human being, not a mentally inexhaustible immortal. A hard college program should be treated like a marathon, and choosing to overload yourself is like missing the water stations
Marathon! That's what my father always reminded me about my studies - run it like a marathon, not a 100m dash!
When I did my engineering undergrad, we began with 8 courses (6 half's and 2 quarter's, so effectively, it's the same timetable for 7) per semester as regular load. Most of them would be core courses, maybe one free elective per semester. In years 3 and 4 that decreased to 6 and 5 per semester, respectively (+thesis for year 4). Crazy schedule, so I ran the marathon - and now I can say I finished the race, but back when I was running it, I thought it'd never end.
My mistakes were, frankly, not giving up my hobbies/activities in exchange for a more social lifestyle. On top of the massive schedule, I kept up with my part-time career as an accompanist (piano) and music theory tutoring. I joined the university orchestra as a bassist. I also played SCBW and DotA, particularly in the weekends. As a result, I didn't have time to meet new people outside of my program (in particular, girls!). I was constantly burned out, sleeping in at least one lecture/tutorial a day. My grades were decent but not good enough for scholarships/awards like NSERC (to name one).
For those that are already heavily burdened with core courses (regular load), my advice is that you should actually put aside some of your old hobbies/activities, and try to make new ones that involve meeting a ton of new people. It doesn't mean you should give up your hobbies altogether. It just means that you have to manage your time well - which I didn't do very well. When course load eased up in years 3 and 4, I began living a "normal" social life - and realized how much I missed out in the first two years. A big part of the reason of going to a university is to meet new people and make connections, and I hope all you freshmen good luck!
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totally agree. just set myself up with only 2 classes ^^. time for some fun!
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It's not hard if you do the homework.
As an engineer, with good study habits and knowing when to ask questions, you can have more free time then you know what to do with while taking a full load of courses.
If you figure out the homework yourself, you never have to study for a test. Since you went through the steps of properly understanding it you don't need to remember it, you can figure it out again when test time comes. At the most you have to do a quick refresher for about 30 min- 1 hour just in case. If you are working problems before taking a test, you are doing something wrong.
I've had a lot of people ask me how I do so well, and it's simply sitting down and plowing through the homework (you'd be surprised by how many people don't do the homework and complain about low grades). If you find yourself running out of time to do the homework, either you are in the wrong major or goofing off too much, or taking more than you know you can handle.
Of course, every once in a while you come across a question you just don't get. Go to your professor immediately and ask for a hint, not how to solve it completely, try to work it through and only as a last resort ask for more details.
If at any point you don't fully understand something no matter how hard you try, ask for help and make an effort to understand the concepts, not how to solve that particular problem.
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EPT
