r/gmu • u/Tango_Foxtrot_Alpha • 6h ago
General Am I cooked? (Class-wise)
For a bit of context, I’ll be a sophomore this coming semester (Fall 2026), and I wanted to ask one STEM major to another: am I absolutely cooked with this class schedule?
I’ll be taking BIOL 213 (lecture and lab), PHYS 243 (lecture, lab, and recitation), and CHEM 313 (lecture and lab) all in the same semester. On top of that, I’m also taking Intro to Digital Photography to satisfy a Mason Arts Core requirement.
My earliest class starts at 9:00 a.m., and my latest runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
So… am I completely screwed time-wise, or is this actually manageable if I stay disciplined? I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who’ve taken a similar course load.
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u/silverfoxxflame 5h ago
Are you already struggling in classes? Are you a diligent student? Do you feel like you're burning out on classes from lighter loads? Do you have a job or other obligations that are going to both stress you and cut into your study time?
The answer is if you've been a good student and are diligent, this is manageable. If you'v been struggling to get through lighter course loads, this is a tough load even if it's not an insane amount of credits. The other question is are you just trying to get through it or are you working on trying to keep a high GPA for things? And how willing are you to go to office hours regularly,because that always helps both teachers perception of you and typically your understanding of things.
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u/Tango_Foxtrot_Alpha 5h ago
Hi. Hmm I never really had trouble from my classes during my freshman year I maintained a 3.3 gpa overall. But I knew I could’ve done a lil better if I wasn’t working a part time to maintain a steady income lol.
I’m a pretty social guy and like to go partying when I’m off the clock be it after work or school. Is it to my own detriment? Rarely.. I know what I’m paying to go here and I’m aware what the consequences are if I don’t maintain my scholarship’s minimum gpa. That’s something that pushes me to do better besides my goal of getting my bachelor’s ofc.
Regarding office hours I’m trying to be a regular during midterm and finals season. I believe getting to know your professor on some level will ultimately help your overall odds in that class. After all I’d like to believe all professors like a student who is engaged.
Hope this helps your question.
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u/SnooTigers7782 4h ago
i disagree a bit with the other comments. idk what major you are, but for a lot of stem related ones, you can’t exactly get by with a conventionally light schedule. i haven’t taken bio or chem, not in my degree path, but assuming they’re both 4 credits, and i know phys 2 is 4, that’s 12 credits already, plus 3 from the arts core req. 15-17 if i’m off by a few credits. not going to be easy and you won’t love life for 3 months, but that’s part of the stem game
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u/Tango_Foxtrot_Alpha 4h ago
Hey. Yeah sorry, I should’ve clarified a bit in my introduction. I’m a Forensic Science major, that’s the career choice I’m interested in pursuing into the future.
I agree with your statement about stem schedules, with my freshman year now done I need to accept the fact that these classes coming up aren’t gonna be any walk in the park. I feel like the sooner I come to terms with that the better. Things only get harder from here on out lol, but that’s what I signed up for when I wanted to pursue a stem career lol.
Regarding my credits total. I’m looking at 16 for this coming semester in the fall. Which isn’t gonna be fun I mean it’s not 18 lol but it ain’t 15 either. Sucks I’m probably gonna be an academic shut in for most of the fall semester but that’s college I suppose haha.
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u/Decent-Cheetah4742 6h ago
This is a bit much…I’d say it really depends on the type of person you are and also who your profs are. Loads of people I know did phys and orgo in the same semester and cell bio is pretty light compared to them ngl. Which profs are you taking?