So…what classes do I take again?

Published by Kristen on July 3, 2008 in Registration. 3 Comments

Hi everyone! So many of you have been asking what classes you should be taking. And that is expected - class registration is one of the most difficult parts of getting ready for first semester. Here are two sample schedules for you (the first is my schedule and the second is my roommates).

Sample 1:

First semester: Core, American Studies, Genetics, Intro to Chemistry, Genetics Lab, Chemistry Lab, UR Aware, Lib 100

  • Core is required
  • American Studies was taken purely out of interest
  • Genetics was the first biology course and comes with a mandatory lab, it is now suggested that biology majors start with Biology 199
  • Chemistry is the the first Chem course and also has a mandatory lab
    • Pre-med students will want to take Genetics and Intro to Chem their first semester, although it is only suggested, not required
  • UR Aware is required your first semester. It is a non-credit, 1 or 2 day class
  • Lib 100 is also required, non-credit, and one day

Second semester: Intro to Sociology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry I, Core, Religion and the Arts, Bio lab, Chem lab, Women’s Health, Lib 101

  • Intro to Soc fulfilled a general education requirement for the humanities
  • Cell Biology is the next bio course (needed for pre-med, bi,o and chem majors), comes with a lab
  • Organic Chem I is the next chem course (needed for pre-med, bio, and chem majors), comes with a lab
  • Core is again required
  • Religion and the Arts fulfilled the performing/visual arts requirement
  • Women’s Health was a wellness requirement (2 must be taken at any time by senior year to graduate). It is a non credit class that runs once a week for 6 weeks
  • Lib 101 is the second part of the library requirement. It is non-credit and one day.

That was my schedule, coming in pretty sure I wanted to major in Bio. My roommate, on the other hand, had no idea what to major in, so she took:

First Semester: Intro to Psych, Costume and Design, Core, Psych Lab, English, UR Aware, Lib 100

  • Intro to Psych is our biggest class at UR (around 100) and comes with a mandatory lab
  • Costume and English were gen ed requirements
  • Core, UR Aware, and Lib 100 are mandatory

Second Semester: Leadership, Core, Intermediate French, Gothic Film, French drill sessions, Women’s Health, Lib 101

  • French was fulfilling a general ed requirement. All intermediate foreign language classes are 5 days a week and have 2 45 minute drill sessions.
  • Women’s Health, Core, and Lib 101 are mandatory. (Women’s Health is a wellness requirement. Wellness classes do not have to be taken at any specific time but are recommended to be taken the first 2 years).
  • The other classes were taken to see which subjects she was most interested in.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

This time last year

Published by Kristen on June 18, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Hmm…end of June last year I was packing for vacation. I had spent much of the month of June in Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens n Things, and Target picking out bed sheets, towels, and lots of closet shelves. Jittery with anticipation, I was nervous - what kind of roommate would I get? I had heard horror stories from some of my older friends at other colleges and was worried I would  be stuck in a similar situation. I was even more nervous because I was leaving for a two week long camping trip on Assateague island. The problem was, I would be in Assateague during class registration and the receiving of housing information. “You will never get your classes,” my mother warned over…and over…and over. But, there was just no way I was giving up a vacation because of class registration. I ended up picking my classes in a small deli just off the island, hunched behind the counter on a friend’s laptop.

You, I am sure, will not be crouched behind a deli counter picking classes. But you may be just as worried about the roommate situation and what to bring as I was. And I know how frustrating it is for some people who, like me, like to get things done in advance. By June I was itching to buy everything I would need for my dorm room, but had to wait until July so I could coordinate with my roommate. The best advice I can give, is to take each step one at a time. Follow the spider checklist (http://newspiders.richmond.edu/checklist/index.html), but, in that in-between time, relax. Enjoy the summer. And know you have me and the academic advising office here anytime you have questions, concerns, or are just plain excited to be coming to UR!!!

Some things to think about…

Published by Kristen on June 17, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

So now that it is official, I am sure everyone is underway to prepare for their first year at U of R. I have been getting a number of questions about different topics, so here are a few of the answers. Feel free to keep asking anything that’s on your mind!

  •  Do UR AWARE and Lib 100 count as 2 of my 4 classes first semester?
    •  No. UR AWARE and Lb 100 meet for short periods and only for a few hours. They are noncredit requirements and do not count as classes
  • Do I need to select a meal plan?
    • Nope. Unless you want more flexibility and options. Each new student automatically is enrolled for the “Spider Premium Plan.” If you wish to upgrade this plan (you will have the option in late July/August), a new plan can be selected. (http://newspiders.richmond.edu/checklist/dining.html)
  • When do I meet my academic adviser?
    • You will meet your academic adviser during orientation. You will be notified in August as to who your adviser is.
  • When will I be able to look up which classes are available for fall?
    • July 17th. Transfer students should already have access. However, a printed version of the course catalog will be mailed to each new student very soon.

Please also remember to check your spider account!!!! Important emails from UR will be sent only to this account!

Excited!

Published by Kristen on May 11, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

I am sure at this point, everyone is filled with senioritis. (Just another perk of college - getting out in early May!) But soon, you will be done and can think about college even more! For now, make sure you are activating your student account and sign up for an open house at UR if you are interested. And - in 4 days the housing applications are due!!! As I mentioned before fill them out completely and be honest! Housing really pays attention to every detail on the applications so be thorough!

I cannot wait to start talking to you and answering any questions you may have! Don’t be shy about asking about ANYTHING! And good luck with the last two months of high school!

Enjoying the Weather!

Published by Kristen on April 25, 2008 in Student Life. 0 Comments

Today is 80 degrees and the last day of classes! The Jazz Ensemble hosted a free concert today in the forum so my friends and me grabbed some food from Tyler’s Grill and went to listen. It was great sitting outside in the sun with cups of frozen yogurt and jazz music. Later, a large group of people is planning to go have a picnic dinner at the James River - it should be fun! Now that the weather is warmer, the forum is lively with students coloring with chalk, throwing frisbees, and tons of runners. I love the warm weather - such a plus to going to school in the South!

Hello world!

Published by Lindsey on April 14, 2008 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

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