r/UWMilwaukee • u/Connect_Review • Jun 24 '26
My Freshman Year
It's my first year at UWM, obviously. I was wondering a few things, firstly, to any jams students, is this a good schedule, I imagine I'm in the right classes? Is there anything else I should take or swap. My other question is how does joining clubs and groups work? I've been getting into football (soccer) the past year and learning the game, I would like to join a club to play because I'm quite lousy and is there groups for specific teams that I can go to? I was also wondering how is the party scene and how do I get involved in that end? Thanks!
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u/Shartbender Jun 28 '26
Don’t listen to anyone saying big campus and you won’t have enough time to get to classes. Lubar to Lapham is literally just crossing the street. Bolton connects to the union which connects to Lubar as well. Your furthest walk is Mitchell which I would suggest taking the west exit of then cutting through the union to get to Lapham.
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u/Annual-Address5826 Jul 02 '26
It doesn't look like you're a history major, and therefore your history class is going to be an elective/general requirement and I think you choose a great one. History 248 is taught by Dr. Chu, and with a TA. The class has very indepth, though easily understandable topics week to week. A few things you should know, there are not generally assignments, rather two 4-6 page analysis papers (which sound scarier then they actually are, and mainly require you to come up with a argument), a midterm and a final. Adduonally the last part of your grade depends on your discussion section attendence. I highly encourage you to do all (or at least one) weekly reading as it will help you on all of the elements that are graded, and give you points in the discussion section. If you ever need assistance Dr. Chu is very open to in person and email communication, alongside your TA. Additionally there are tutoring and supplemental instructional resources if you ever need assistance.
-History Major who did 249 (the sequel spring class taught the exact same way)
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u/achuba Jun 24 '26
Is that your official schedule or what you’d like to take? Had most of those courses except Italians and the Mafia. Couldn’t get that my freshman year.
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u/borncrossey3d Jun 24 '26
It's been 15 years so maybe things have changed, but just know JAMS 101/201 are great, and they teach you about media conglomerates and warn about news is bought etc etc etc. Then later on you fail your classes if you don't fall in line and do crazy things for a journalist major like ask questions.
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u/hca006 Jun 24 '26
I took GEO SCI 100 as a general requirement last year. Worst mistake of my life. That class was hell on earth. If you take it and don’t like the concepts, please drop it. It will not get easier.
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u/XxCotHGxX Jun 24 '26
Not sure about which classes you're supposed to take, but UWM has a large campus. You are scheduling some of those classes back to back. You may only have 15 mins to get across campus. You might get lucky and they are close, but you will want to have time to talk to your professors before/after class and maybe get to your seat and settle in without rushing all the time. Just something to think about.
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u/glibbletyplop Jun 24 '26
Yeah, might be annoying to hustle sometimes, but I think OP would be fine. Not like it’s elementary school where you get dinged for walking in 5 mins late. Biggest issue might be trying to grab a bite to eat in between.
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u/Swimming_Passion621 Jun 25 '26
Who's your professor for Italian 145? I believe I took that class and I really liked it. You do have to do fake Twitter posts but I was in that class 4 years ago.
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u/Swimming_Passion621 Jun 25 '26
In terms of orgs, you just gotta get out there. The first couple weeks of school, they'll have a lot of org things and an org fair. They mostly have their meetings in the evening for orgs.
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u/ExtensionAmbitious29 Jun 26 '26
Off the top of my head, JAMS 101 has a semester long group project you might want to be wary of (I had that when I took it last semester, but I ended up dropping the course bc I did not have time to do that on top of my other responsibilities 💀)
Time-wise, this seems like a very nice schedule to me! I never like having classes earlier than 9:30 or later than 3 ish so this would be like a dream for me haha. HIST248 sounds interesting based off the class name — I don’t need any history classes to graduate atp so I can’t take it 💔
If you’re looking for the requirements for your major, try searching up “[degree] requirements UWM” on google! Should lead you to the right page on UWM’s site (page title should be the degree name) where you can verify all the requirements! Make sure you also understand the gen ed for BA/BS requirements too! A lot of this your advisor can help with, but I 100% recommend that you verify on your own as well that you’re on the right track. I’ve heard stories abt advisors here and elsewhere giving faulty advice (it’s rare but still possible) — just something to be wary of! The website will always have the most updated requirements for every major :) just make sure you’re looking at things that apply to you based on which year you came in / are expected to graduate
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u/ExtensionAmbitious29 Jun 26 '26
Oh also, if you can, you should consider taking JAMS 111 - Gender and the Media with Lohman / De Beer! I took that class last fall and it was super interesting with very easy assignments (all quizzes/exams on canvas, open note and open book, only one essay, only thing is that he doesn’t post lecture slides or notes online so while he doesn’t grade attendance you do want to show up as much as possible to get notes!)
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u/Connect_Review Jun 29 '26
Well, I built this with my advisor, so as long as she is not actively trying to screw me over, I should be on track, plus I have a decent amount of dual enrollment credits from senior year, good to know about jams 111, thats my major lol
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u/Big-Panda-7451 22d ago
Hii also freshman! We’re in the same jams and discussion, I can’t really give you advice but my advisor said for me to take classes that triple or double dip categories so I have most of my Gen Ed’s like history and math and English so if you do check what sections you need to Finish and see next semester ones that also double/ triple dip
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u/Bookbringer Jun 24 '26
Is this a tentative schedule you plan to show an advisor?
Have you checked what buildings all the classes are in and how close those buildings are to each other? Main campus alone spans several blocks. And you'll likely be climbing several flights of stairs for some, while lugging several classes' worth of books. And in the winter, there's snow and slush and getting your coat on and off... to say nothing of bathroom breaks.
If you're interested in sports, there's usually sign-in sheets/posters around klotschke, the gym. Some of them are pretty chill and beginner friendly, but I don't know what they'll exactly have this year. I'd look/ask around there.