Shanna's Beloit Life

So it occurs to me that I have not talked about any of the classes I am taking this semester. I suppose this should be done...

Beloit's credit system is a little unusual. Basically, each class is worth one credit no mater the time requirement. There are a few exceptions; your FYI (freshman seminar class) is worth 1.5 credits and things like music lessons, some dance classes, and a few other classes are worth a little less (like 0.25 or 0.5 credits). A normal course load for a Beloiter is 4 credits (4 classes). This semester I am only taking 3.5 credits because one of my classes is really time consuming. so here is my class list:

Genetics (biology): This is supposed to be the "hardest" class in the biology department. I have found it pretty time consuming, stressful, and frustrating, but I think that its reputation is a little harsh. For me, the learning style is a lot more like my alternative high school, but a little more intense. The professor wants you to learn how to learn on your own, and therefore will not answer questions without making you think. Every time you ask him a question, he asks you five. There is a ton of group work, which is sometimes frustrating just because coordinating three people is harder than just looking after yourself.

Memory and Cognition (Psychology): I am actually really enjoying the content of this class, but find it to be a lot more reading than I expected. It is mostly a lecture style class, which is not necessarily the style I would choose to learn in. It is kind of funny, because one would assume the science classes are more lecture while social science would be more discussion based and group work, but in my experience this has not been the case. We have to do a major paper about a subject we choose and how it pertains to cognitive psychology, and I have already found some really interesting sources.

Creative Writing (English): This is my "take it easy" class. I took it the same semester as genetics because I knew it would force me to relax and sit down and write a bit each day. We are actually doing less writing than I would like, but It has started to pick up in the last week or so. It is such a relaxing class! Fran (the professor) is really laid back, and we have a lot of small group discussions where we go outside for.

Chemistry seminar (Chemistry): this class only meets on Fridays for one hour. we usually have pizza or some other snack/lunch food and discuss "Science" magazine. We have also been having a lot of Beloit Alumni who majored in chemistry or biochemistry come and talk to us about what they do now. It is really comforting to have some one come in and tell you that what they are doing has nothing to do with their major but they would never have fallen into it had it not been for Beloit, or that it has everything to do with their major and they are still loving it.

So those are my classes, they keep me really busy. But then again....that is what I am here for :)