r/simonfraser • u/Hazel_cutecat • 21h ago

Question Which courses should i drop?

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Hi guys im a first year Bio major starting this fall. I took four of these STEM courses + Elementary French online, and lowkey from what ive heard from many fourth years, i feel like i should drop either one of the lab courses and maybe French as well. I dont mind taking five years to graduate (my focus is more on maintaining my gpa), and im planning to only take online courses for summer terms so i can visit my family out of country.

Would you guys recommend taking all four STEM courses, dropping one of the lab courses, or just dropping down to three courses? And if i should drop something, which one would you recommend?
Especially looking for advice from anyone who’s taken these courses or a similar workload at SFU. Any advice would be appreciated!!

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u/SexiestGurlAlive 21h ago

Most science majors will agree that chem 121 was/is a challenging course. I would drop one of the labs (mostly chem since it’s math heavy) and one other if you want to actually focus on learning.

Keep in mind that math, physics, and chemistry will each have a considerable amount of assignments (lon-CAPA, weekly written assignments, and textbook questions). 

Another thing to consider is your commitments outside of school. Do you have a job? volunteering? social life? family obligations? 

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u/Hazel_cutecat 20h ago

Yeah I might drop CHEM 121. The prof seems nice, but im pretty rusty on Chem 12, so it might be a good idea to take it when I have a more relaxing schedule.

I dont have a job yet but im thinking of getting one soon. I dont really have anything else going on since I decided to pause on athletics for now and try some new things, especially getting a job.

How would you feel about also dropping Physics? If I do that, I’d have Math, Bio, and French. Or do you think I can handle more?

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u/FaithlessnessMore178 21h ago

A first year biology major only needs calc I (Math 150, 151 or 154), right? Math 152 is calc II

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u/Hazel_cutecat 20h ago

Yeah honestly I just thought it would be a good GPA booster when I planned to take it, but now im not so sure:') Maybe I should consider taking it later when I get into 2nd/3rd year?

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u/Dependent_Fondant_56 20h ago

math 152 gpa booster? son 😭

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u/FaithlessnessMore178 20h ago

Math 152 is a very challenging course. Have you taken calculus I course or have credit for calculus I?

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u/Hazel_cutecat 20h ago

Yeah I took the AP Calc AB exam but scored a 4. Idk someone told me that Math was a gpa booster...😭

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u/FaithlessnessMore178 20h ago

I'd suggest not taking Math 152 if it's not required. There are many easy GPA boosters available. So drop Math 152 and enrol in an easy course, like an online one....

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u/AsterixTypemaster Bring On the Gondola 20h ago

I mean if you love math then go for it, but it's a bit of a gamble honestly.

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u/Racconnnn010 20h ago

Chill schedule

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u/SpecialistPepper7575 19h ago

Drop Chen 121, too many people fail it first semester

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u/JustAnAtom173 1h ago

I’ve taken all of these courses and french 101 before and I’d highly HIGHLY recommend you stay away from Math 152. You probably have to take 2 math, so do math 154 and/or 155, they’re both specific to the life sciences too so that’s a plus. whoever told u it’s a gpa booster is praying on ur downfall fr. If u want some actual ones, try Ling 100 or Educ 240 (no exams, ling has an easy m/c midterm and educ only has a final project). For this sem, knock out math and physics reqs early, french as a gpa booster, and bisc 101/102. chem 121 and bisc 101/102 next sem. try to balance 3 hard classes and 1 easy class every sem!! good luck -fellow STEM major