-- Posted by Just Waiting Here at 1:33 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Do you choose college classes that you're actually interested in?  Or do you just choose any course that will work towards your major in the best way? At this point, I need to take some courses from a certain list.  I could choose anything from that list, but I'm narrowed it down to a few classes that satisfy two things at once for my major requirements.  Most of those courses aren't in my area of interest, but I'm only taking courses that will get me done more quickly... So... when it comes to choosing some of your courses, do you go with things that interest you more?  The one's that do the most possible for your major? (especially if you're double majoring or something like that) or a bit of both? -- Posted by XMariex at 1:33 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 whatever i can pass -- Posted by MiNNiCK at 1:34 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 You choose what fits your requirements for your major. That can include, but not massively interested to, your likes or dislikes. -- Posted by iinsurgent at 1:34 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I'd mix it up, focus on the major but take some interesting ones as well to keep from getting bored. -- Posted by JeanClaude at 1:34 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I choose classes that I think are going to teach me what I need to know. As much as I'd like to just learn things that I want, I'm not going to school to have fun, I'm going to enrich and further myself. -- Posted by Guardian at 1:34 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I pick the highest level courses I can handle. Then I usually misjudge and fuck myself over. Yay. -- Posted by Lewdness at 1:40 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I'm only just starting college (freshman in August) but I don't particularly see the point at this stage in limiting myself to choosing classes *just* because they complement my major. I think the first year should be a time to open yourself up to a breadth of knowledge rather than having your major define you already. -- Posted by Just Waiting Here at 1:47 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from Lewdness at 1:40 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I'm only just starting college (freshman in August) but I don't particularly see the point at this stage in limiting myself to choosing classes *just* because they complement my major. I think the first year should be a time to open yourself up to a breadth of knowledge rather than having your major define you already. I'm trying to finish my major as quickly as possible.  I wanted to do it in three years or less, but apparently it takes many people in my major 4.5 - 5 years at our school.  But basically, I'm ONLY taking courses to satisfy my requirements, because I want to try my best in finishing it in three years (even though she said it was unlikely).  It's a challenge ^__^' -- Posted by Dont Notice Me at 2:34 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 i picked the ones that were available -- Posted by TigressaLynnMae at 3:24 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Do you choose college classes that you're actually interested in?  Or do you just choose any course that will work towards your major in the best way? You're kinda stuck sticking courses/classes that work towards your major. If you sidetrack with courses/classes that you like/are seen as extracurriculars, you'll find yourself staying in college/university much longer than you expected. Stick with your major for the main semesters (Spring/Fall), and take the extracurriculars/leisurely learning courses at night, on the weekends, and/or during the summer. -- Posted by penguincube at 4:24 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 This semester, I went with the classes that had the best schedules more than anything... -- Posted by Lewdness at 5:15 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from Just Waiting Here at 1:47 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from Lewdness at 1:40 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I'm only just starting college (freshman in August) but I don't particularly see the point at this stage in limiting myself to choosing classes *just* because they complement my major. I think the first year should be a time to open yourself up to a breadth of knowledge rather than having your major define you already. I'm trying to finish my major as quickly as possible. I wanted to do it in three years or less, but apparently it takes many people in my major 4.5 - 5 years at our school. But basically, I'm ONLY taking courses to satisfy my requirements, because I want to try my best in finishing it in three years (even though she said it was unlikely). It's a challenge ^__^' Personally, I'm not really in quite a rush though I definitely want to finish in 4 years max. I feel like it would be very limiting for myself if I would choose to take classes just for the sake of graduating earlier or whatever the reason is. -- Posted by Just Waiting Here at 5:18 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from Lewdness at 5:15 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from Just Waiting Here at 1:47 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from Lewdness at 1:40 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 I'm only just starting college (freshman in August) but I don't particularly see the point at this stage in limiting myself to choosing classes *just* because they complement my major. I think the first year should be a time to open yourself up to a breadth of knowledge rather than having your major define you already.    I'm trying to finish my major as quickly as possible.  I wanted to do it in three years or less, but apparently it takes many people in my major 4.5 - 5 years at our school.  But basically, I'm ONLY taking courses to satisfy my requirements, because I want to try my best in finishing it in three years (even though she said it was unlikely).  It's a challenge ^__^' Personally, I'm not really in quite a rush though I definitely want to finish in 4 years max. I feel like it would be very limiting for myself if I would choose to take classes just for the sake of graduating earlier or whatever the reason is. I agree :).  Many people say that college is a great experience and that you can meet alot of people and just have a general good time.  I like my major, so I'll like all of my classes except for the few one's I'm forced to take in history, poli sci, and am cultures. For me, however... I took a year off from school to work, and in a sense, I now feel 'behind', which is a motivating factor in me wanting to "rush" through this.  A challenging course load is also something that I find motivating... So I figure it's worth a shot :). Lol, I suppose at the end, the courses I'm forced to choose from aren't any in my interest anyway... so I may as well just choose anyone that fits my schedule and requirements the best... -- Posted by TigressaLynnMae at 6:04 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Though, wouldn't one think that the major you're in, would require courses you're interested in, because you chose that major, and you like said major? -- Posted by Just Waiting Here at 6:50 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Quote: from TigressaLynnMae at 6:04 pm on Aug. 1, 2008 Though, wouldn't one think that the major you're in, would require courses you're interested in, because you chose that major, and you like said major? You have to do breadth electives.  They don't want someone that only knows one thing, so they make you branch out and take other courses. Part of my problem is that I didn't go to an American highschool... which means that I'm lacking in american history, poli sci, and american cultures.  Since I didn't take care of these in highschool, I'm forced to take a class on it in college.  So I just make sure that one of those also works for my 19 unit breadth requirement too. -- Posted by Rickenbacker at 10:46 am on Aug. 2, 2008 Math requires certain core classes  you must take, then there are a certain number of math electives I must take. Then there are required related electives. Then the school has 3 general education blocks that you must take a certain number of electives from, so you really don;t have THAT much freedom in choosing classes, at least for math. I've heard it is different in other majors. -- Posted by TigressaLynnMae at 11:38 am on Aug. 2, 2008 You have to do breadth electives. The elective options have all to do with your Major, though. They don't want someone that only knows one thing, so they make you branch out and take other courses. The Major you're in, though, has probably 95% core courses which are nothing but your major. Take, for example, my Environmental Science Major. The Electives involve Science. My interest. And the Core Courses are mostly Environmental Science courses. There's maybe...five or six that aren't, and those are required Freshman Courses, for any degree. -- Posted by Just Waiting Here at 8:36 am on Aug. 3, 2008 Quote: from TigressaLynnMae at 11:38 am on Aug. 2, 2008 You have to do breadth electives. The elective options have all to do with your Major, though. They don't want someone that only knows one thing, so they make you branch out and take other courses. The Major you're in, though, has probably 95% core courses which are nothing but your major. Take, for example, my Environmental Science Major. The Electives involve Science. My interest. And the Core Courses are mostly Environmental Science courses. There's maybe...five or six that aren't, and those are required Freshman Courses, for any degree. I'm a chemical engineering major.  I have to take American History, Political Science, and American Cultures.  Now, I don't have too much leniency because of special circumstances.  For most people in my major, they have to complete nineteen units in breadth electives. One course from Group one (Reading and composition), and the rest from Group 2 (Humanities and Social Sciences) which has things like languages (which I can only use 5 units for my major) anthropologies, architecture, environmental science, policy and management, business administration.  The list goes on.  This is those 'five or six' that you mentioned, and these are the one's I was asking about. -- This is my circumstance.  I'm an American that went to highschool in Canada, I didn't cover my highschool courses.  That forces me to complete the History, poli sci, and cultures requirement (which most kids would have had in highschool).  Instead of taking these courses, and then having to take the additional 19 breadth electives, I've had to reduce it down to a few that sastisfy both lists.  Which means I'm going for time efficiency rather than courses that I may find interesting... if that makes sense... -- Posted by Aerorobyn at 1:28 pm on Aug. 3, 2008 I'm about to start my sophomore year in college. My first year, I took all core curriculum classes (the ones that every person has to take, no matter what their major is)--which included English, Literature, Math, Political Science, History, Social Science, Art, all that. Now I'm core complete, and though I want to take classes I'm interested in, I'm trying to get classes for my major done with. -- Posted by TigressaLynnMae at 2:45 pm on Aug. 3, 2008 I'm a chemical engineering major.  I have to take American History, Political Science, and American Cultures.  Now, I don't have too much leniency because of special circumstances.  For most people in my major, they have to complete nineteen units in breadth electives. While you may not think it, those courses are dire to one's Major, whether it be Chemical Engineering (You may get an Indian in your Employership, and you'd need to know their History to understand them, example of Culture coming in handy) or a simple Basic College Degree. And, I've never heard of 'breadth electives' in my three years of Uni, and my Aunt's 20 something years of teaching at my Uni. One course from Group one (Reading and composition), and the rest from Group 2 (Humanities and Social Sciences) which has things like languages (which I can only use 5 units for my major) anthropologies, architecture, environmental science, policy and management, business administration.  The list goes on.  This is those 'five or six' that you mentioned, and these are the one's I was asking about. Groups? What the heck kind of college are you going to? We have classes. And those classes are, as one would assume, attuned to your degree plan. It makes sense that a Chemical Engineer would take mostly Engineering and Chemistry classes/an Environmental Science Major would take mostly Environmental and Biological Science courses. This is my circumstance.  I'm an American that went to highschool in Canada, I didn't cover my highschool courses.  That forces me to complete the History, poli sci, and cultures requirement (which most kids would have had in highschool).  Instead of taking these courses, and then having to take the additional 19 breadth electives, I've had to reduce it down to a few that sastisfy both lists.  Which means I'm going for time efficiency rather than courses that I may find interesting... if that makes sense... Time efficiency is how it should be. You stick to your major. YOu get out of the Uni system quicker. You shouldn't focus on what you like, unless that's your major. -- Posted by Starborn at 6:43 pm on Aug. 3, 2008 I must agree with Tigressa on the part that, if you really are motivated to complete uni in 3 years despite the tough workload, then you can really learn to like the courses you're required to take, knowing that they'll make a difference in how you perform in your future career. That being said, I know that a lot of those core class like US History and Humanities go in one ear and out the other, no matter how dedicated you are, and don't make that much of a difference outside of a learning environment. I see them more as classes to build critical thinking skills, and understanding how the background and culture of a nation came into being and its workings. Anyway, that kind of thinking helped me get through the classes that I disliked the most, and if you can keep that kind of attitude they won't be that much of a bother. -- Posted by Just Waiting Here at 3:04 pm on Aug. 4, 2008 Quote: from TigressaLynnMae at 2:45 pm on Aug. 3, 2008 I'm a chemical engineering major. I have to take American History, Political Science, and American Cultures. Now, I don't have too much leniency because of special circumstances. For most people in my major, they have to complete nineteen units in breadth electives. While you may not think it, those courses are dire to one's Major, whether it be Chemical Engineering (You may get an Indian in your Employership, and you'd need to know their History to understand them, example of Culture coming in handy) or a simple Basic College Degree. And, I've never heard of 'breadth electives' in my three years of Uni, and my Aunt's 20 something years of teaching at my Uni. One course from Group one (Reading and composition), and the rest from Group 2 (Humanities and Social Sciences) which has things like languages (which I can only use 5 units for my major) anthropologies, architecture, environmental science, policy and management, business administration. The list goes on. This is those 'five or six' that you mentioned, and these are the one's I was asking about. Groups? What the heck kind of college are you going to? We have classes. And those classes are, as one would assume, attuned to your degree plan. It makes sense that a Chemical Engineer would take mostly Engineering and Chemistry classes/an Environmental Science Major would take mostly Environmental and Biological Science courses. This is my circumstance. I'm an American that went to highschool in Canada, I didn't cover my highschool courses. That forces me to complete the History, poli sci, and cultures requirement (which most kids would have had in highschool). Instead of taking these courses, and then having to take the additional 19 breadth electives, I've had to reduce it down to a few that sastisfy both lists. Which means I'm going for time efficiency rather than courses that I may find interesting... if that makes sense... Time efficiency is how it should be. You stick to your major. YOu get out of the Uni system quicker. You shouldn't focus on what you like, unless that's your major. No, I understand that they can come in handy... they aren't 'useless' courses, and like I said, it's good to be well rounded, but they aren't in my area.  You mentioned that you should like the courses in your major, but I don't like humanities, history, I hate political science... But I have to take some of these courses.  I'm actually glad I'm being forced to take them, because it's not good to be so one-sided... but that doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy them. For my major, I have a huge list of classes that I can take that will satisfy the 19 units that I have to take as breadth electives.  Um... I suppose it's very similar to GE requirements, or general education requirements.  The "groups" are just the list of courses that I can use to satisfy this requirement for my major, and it has MANY classes to choose from.  Some of them would be more interesting than others, but because of my situation, if I want to do it as quickly as possible, I'm narrowed down to about 20-25 courses that I can choose from, from these groups. And yes, that's how I am and what I'm planning on doing.  Lol, no second thoughts on that one, from the start I've decided I'm going to take the classes that will get me through as fast as possible, but I was just interested in knowing how many people prefer taking classes that might be more interesting as opposed to just going to school for the degree's sake. -- Posted by bryce101 at 11:14 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 whatever fulfills my major and the extra curricular i choose based on the easiest classes i can find lol -- Posted by jamescoleman at 10:37 pm on Aug. 10, 2008 I pick the ones that I need and also the ones that I want to take but because my major has most of the classes that I'm interested in then I'm good for the most part.